I know a lot of successful people ... a slew of hard-driving individuals whose wealth and accomplishments put the rest of the population to shame.

I have also spent a lot of my life - too much, in fact - comparing myself to them... and of course, coming up short.

So I stopped and not doing it any more.

And neither should you.

If you judge yourself only in comparison to others - who they are, what they have, what they have done - you can always find someone who outperforms you in any given area.

As Max Ehrlich observed in his 1923 essay Desiradata... 

"There will always be those both greater and lesser than you."

We obsess about those who are "greater" - and feel bad that we do not measure up to their success and accomplishments.

Psychologists call this unhealthy obsession "compare despair."

So what can you do about it?

To begin with, stop comparing yourself to others ... because unless you are Bill Gates, there is always someone who makes more money than you.

Unless you are George Clooney or Jessica Alba, there is always someone either more famous - or better looking - or both.

So quit worrying about how you stack up against other people.

Instead, figure out what is important to you - helping others in need, writing good books or great cooking, being a terrific parent, becoming a guru in your industry or market niche, teaching, or giving your clients a level of service they cannot get anywhere else.

Then, when you know you have made the absolute best effort you can in pursuit of these objectives ... take a minute to feel good about yourself.

It is one thing to "emulate" those who you respect.

It is another to "compare" and "despair" that you are never "good enough."

Perfection is an "illusion."

A lever of "Excellence" is achievable by anyone.

After all, you deserve it.

May You Enjoy A Beautiful day.



Ange Fonce