It’s almost impossible to scroll through social media or browse news outlets today without encountering stories of extraordinary achievements. During times of global change, this phenomenon seems to amplify, with narratives highlighting individuals mastering new skills, launching innovative projects, or reaching peak physical condition. While these stories can be inspirational, they often inadvertently fuel a sense of inadequacy when we Compare Yourself To Who You Were Yesterday and find ourselves seemingly falling short.
As humans, we have a natural inclination to benchmark our progress against those around us. However, constantly measuring ourselves against friends, colleagues, or public figures can be detrimental to our self-esteem and personal growth. Drawing inspiration from concepts discussed in 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson, this article aims to shift your focus from external comparisons to a more meaningful and productive metric: comparing yourself to who you were yesterday.
The Pitfalls of External Comparison
The habit of comparing ourselves to others is deeply ingrained, yet fundamentally flawed. Each person’s journey is unique, shaped by a complex interplay of genetic predispositions, environmental factors, and life experiences. Your upbringing, social circles, and even your neurological wiring differ significantly from those you observe.
When you witness someone else’s apparent success, you are only seeing a curated snapshot of their life. The full picture, with its inevitable challenges and struggles, remains hidden. The seemingly perfect individual might be grappling with unseen difficulties – be it health issues, relationship problems, or professional setbacks. External comparison often leads to an incomplete and biased assessment, causing you to undervalue your own accomplishments and potential.
Furthermore, focusing on others’ achievements can inadvertently diminish your own. By constantly measuring yourself against external benchmarks, you risk overlooking your personal progress and discounting the value of your unique journey. This pattern of thought can breed feelings of inadequacy and hinder your motivation to pursue your own goals.
Embrace Internal Growth: Compare Yourself to Yesterday
Instead of engaging in fruitless comparisons with others, a more empowering approach is to compare yourself to who you were yesterday. This internal benchmark provides a fair and relevant measure of progress. The “you” from yesterday shares your history, your starting point, and your unique set of circumstances. This is the only truly equitable comparison you can make.
By focusing on your personal evolution, you shift from a deficit mindset to a growth-oriented perspective. The goal becomes continuous self-improvement, striving to be a slightly better version of yourself each day. This approach acknowledges your individual journey and celebrates incremental progress, fostering a sense of accomplishment and sustained motivation.
Practical Steps to Compare Yourself to Your Past Self
How can you effectively implement this shift in perspective? Here are actionable strategies to compare yourself to who you were yesterday and cultivate personal growth:
Re-evaluate Your Aspirations
Begin by taking a holistic look at your life and critically examine your goals and dreams. Are these aspirations genuinely yours, or are they reflections of societal expectations or comparisons with others? Often, we unconsciously adopt goals based on external influences, which may not align with our true values and desires.
Taking time for introspection allows you to identify aspirations that truly resonate with your authentic self. Consider what genuinely motivates you, what brings you joy, and what impact you want to make. This process of self-discovery is crucial for setting meaningful goals that fuel intrinsic motivation, rather than being driven by external validation.
Utilize the Wheel of Life for Self-Assessment
The Wheel of Life (or Wheel of Work, as mentioned in the original article) is a valuable tool for self-reflection and identifying areas for improvement. This exercise involves assessing your satisfaction level across various life domains, such as career, relationships, health, and personal growth.
- Segment Assessment: Divide a circle into segments representing key areas of your life. Rate your current satisfaction in each segment on a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 signifies high satisfaction and 1 indicates dissatisfaction.
- Identify Key Areas: Examine your completed Wheel of Life. Are there any surprisingly low scores? These areas represent potential opportunities for growth and focused improvement.
- Choose One Focus Area: Select one segment you want to prioritize for development. Avoid overwhelming yourself by attempting to tackle too many areas simultaneously.
- Actionable Questions: For your chosen segment, ask yourself the following questions to generate concrete action steps:
- What could you stop doing that hinders your progress in this area?
- What could you do less of to create space for improvement?
- What could you do more of to move closer to your desired state?
- What should you continue doing that is already contributing positively?
- What could you start doing to initiate positive change?
Embrace Focused, Incremental Improvement
The principle of “less is more” is particularly relevant to personal growth. Instead of spreading your energy thinly across multiple areas, concentrate your efforts on making small, consistent improvements in your chosen focus area. This approach fosters momentum and allows you to build sustainable habits.
Think of personal development like compound interest. Small, consistent efforts accumulate over time, yielding significant results. By focusing intensely on one area of improvement, you create a ripple effect that positively impacts other aspects of your life.
Conclusion: Your Personal Race for Growth
Shifting your perspective from external comparison to internal growth is a transformative step towards personal fulfillment. When you compare yourself to who you were yesterday, you embark on a journey of self-improvement that is both meaningful and sustainable.
The only competition that truly matters is the race against your former self. Tools like the Wheel of Life can provide a starting point, guiding you to identify areas for growth. By taking small, incremental steps forward each day, you pave the way for genuine progress and unlock your full potential, one day at a time.
