Stop Comparing Yourself To Others, Your Career Path Is Unique

You've heard that you should stop comparing yourself to others. Especially when it comes to your career path. After all, there is no "one-size-fits-all" approach to success. Every person has a unique journey and definition of what career success means to them.

Your career will take up a significant part of your life. The average person spends as much as 90,000 hours at work throughout their lifetime. So it makes sense to take your time, enjoy the journey, and focus on doing what you love. Fixating on how much others have accomplished compared to yourself is unnecessary. It's crucial to realize that each career path has nuances that others don't.

But why exactly do people compare themselves to others? Moreover, how can one overcome this destructive habit and focus on their own career goals? Let's explore these questions. Read on for tips and strategies to avoid the trap of "success envy." Find your path to career fulfillment with Career Success!

Why Do We Compare Ourselves to Others?

To stop comparing yourself to others, you need to understand the root causes of this behavior. While there are many reasons why we compare ourselves to others, some common ones are...

Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome refers to a feeling of self-doubt and inadequacy. Especially despite external evidence to the contrary. People with imposter syndrome doubt their abilities and feel like frauds. They struggle to accept their achievements. They believe they have somehow tricked others into thinking they are competent. This condition disproportionately affects people who are high-achieving.

Suffering from imposter syndrome can lead you to compare yourself to others. It drives you to seek external validation of your abilities and accomplishments. This negative cycle can be difficult to break. But it is possible with the right mindset and support system.

Rejection From Past Opportunities

Unfortunately, the path to Career Success isn't always smooth. Many people have experienced some form of rejection. Whether it's not getting a job they interviewed for or being passed over for a promotion. This can leave you with feelings of inadequacy and resentment towards others who may have succeeded where you haven't.

Despite this disappointment, remember that every experience offers valuable lessons for the future. Rejection is often a redirect. A Career Change or advancement opportunity that you may have missed out on could be what you needed for your professional growth.

The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

Another key factor in feelings of career-related "success envy" is the fear of missing out or FOMO. This is the overwhelming sense of anxiety that arises when you feel left behind. This could be by your friends, colleagues, or peers in career growth and success. But the fear of missing out is nothing more than a destructive, irrational thought.

It's natural to feel a sense of curiosity when observing others advance in their careers. But remember that no two career paths are the same. You can't rely on others' success to affirm your achievements. Nor should you let their perceived lack of achievement make you feel like a failure.

Society's Expectations and Norms

Whether we realize it or not, the society in which we live dictates many of our values and beliefs. If you're surrounded by individuals who value career progression or personal wealth, you might feel pressure to keep up with them.

It's important to take a step back and examine your personal values. What do you believe is important in life? Once you've found your core values, you can make decisions based on what's important to YOU. Especially in contrast to what others believe is important.

How To Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

Comparing your situation to that of others doesn't mean you're destined to be stuck in a cycle of envy and self-doubt. There are several steps you can take to stop comparing yourself to others.

Set Goals to Help Your Growth

If you start to feel a sense of envy or discouragement when observing others' success, take a step back. Identify what it is about their achievements that make you feel this way. Then, set goals for yourself to achieve these types of accomplishments.

This can be anything! Get prepared for your next performance review. Earn a promotion. Complete a new project. It could also be a personal goal like learning a new skill or reaching a life milestone.

Limit Time on Social Media

On average, people spend 147 minutes per day on social media. This can be a great way to connect with others. It can also make you feel discouraged or inadequate when you see other people's "perfect" lives.

To avoid these negative feelings, try limiting your time on social media. Especially LinkedIn, where many people flaunt their Career Success and achievements. Focus on more meaningful forms of connection and communication. Choose face-to-face interactions or written communication and use them to connect.

Surround Yourself With People Who Empower You

Changing your mindset by building a nurturing and supportive network. This might be family members, friends, colleagues, or even mentors. Make a point of spending time with these individuals. Get the support and positive energy you need to continue on your path of growth and advancement.

Some professionals can also help you navigate the challenges of career envy. Like a Career Coach! Their job is to help you overcome professional hurdles.

Learn More About Other People's Career Paths

One effective strategy is to network within and outside of your organization. Join groups and organizations where you can meet people with similar career goals. Learning more about their experiences can help you appreciate the uniqueness of yours. Then you can see the value in your own accomplishments.

Additionally, building relationships with these individuals can open up new opportunities for growth. Receiving guidance or support on a challenging project at work can help. Connect with someone who can help you reach a professional goal.

Utilize Feedback to the Best of Your Ability

Everyone experiences envy from time to time. What separates the successful from the unsuccessful is how they deal with it. If you feel envious of someone else's success, use it as an opportunity for growth and learning.

Seek out feedback from trusted individuals in your life. Gain a better understanding of your strengths and weaknesses. Use this feedback to set realistic goals and focus on areas where you can improve.

Let's say you're feeling envious of a colleague who was just promoted. You can speak with your supervisor about what you need to do to earn a promotion. If you lack qualifications, look into taking courses to help you reach the next level in your career.

Document Your Achievements

Often, we compare our worst moments to other people's best moments. This is an unfair — and harmful — way of thinking that can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.

To combat these negative thoughts, keep a running list of your accomplishments. Yes both big and small. These could be a number of different things. Add getting a big project done at work. Or when you impressed your boss with a great idea. Even completing a task you've been putting off for a while counts!

Whenever you feel envious of someone else's success, refer to your list. Remind yourself of all you've achieved. You have so much you have to be proud of! Notice how quickly your feelings of envy will dissipate.

Set Yourself Up for Career Success

Career Success means taking proactive steps to achieve your goals. This involves assessing your skills, interests, and values. Decide on a career path that aligns well with your natural strengths and passions.

It may also mean working with a career coach who can help you identify your ideal career. Attend a seminar or course to learn more about different career options.

Start the Journey to Building Self Confidence Today

Stop comparing yourself to others as it can be a source of envy, resentment, and frustration. But, it's possible to overcome these negative emotions. Begin appreciating your unique career path and accomplishments with joy. The strategies we've shared in this post are a good place to start. You'll soon find that increasing your growth doesn't have to mean competition.

Do you feel like you need help understanding how special you are?  Stop comparing yourself to others and learn more about how our 1:1 coaching can help you shine like the star that you are! You deserve Career Success; let us help get you there! Download our Career Success Catalog today and start your journey to career success.