In the previous lesson, we looked at approval-seeking behaviours. Today, we explore another self-esteem diminishing behaviour: comparing yourself to others.

If you’re lacking contentment, it could be because you’re comparing yourself to others. You’ve been on Facebook and seen the pictures of other people living their seemingly exciting lives.

It only takes a moment to find yourself wishing you had someone else’s career, body, house, or vacation. Comparing ourselves to others is a common activity.

But there’s a critical flaw in this mental exercise. You simply don’t have all the information. Someone might have a great body, but they might be seriously ill. That great vacation might have been paid for with an inheritance after a family member passed away.

A smarter strategy is to compare yourself to your own recent past. How is your figure compared to 6 months ago? How are your finances compared to last year?

If you’re making progress, congratulate yourself. Most people aren’t doing nearly as well. They’ve weighed the same or had the same $1,200 in their bank account for the last 20 years.

If your life isn’t moving forward, then you ought to take pause and address the situation.

Todays lesson can help you to free yourself from unnecessary comparisons.