Do you feel insecure when comparing yourself to other business leaders, wishing for their success, wondering why they have it, and you don’t? If so, then this post is for you! In the fast-paced business world of today, more than ever, successful professionals are surrounded by many others who appear smarter and more capable. We can often end up feeling inferior or like we can’t measure up compared to them. But it doesn’t have to be that way – in this blog post, Jay Holstine dives into the issue of self-comparison and highlights practical strategies on how to stop feeling subordinate when looking at others’ successes.
Jay Holstine On How To Stop Feeling Inferior When You Compare Yourself To Others
Feeling inferior when comparing ourselves to others is a common experience, says Jay Holstine. It can be caused by various factors like mismatched expectations, jealousy, or simply feeling that someone else is “better” than us in some way. But no matter the source of these feelings, they can have long-lasting negative effects on our self-esteem and mental health.
One study conducted with 696 college students found that those who engaged in more frequent social comparisons had greater levels of loneliness, fewer positive emotions, and lower satisfaction with life overall. Another study involving 1,000 adults revealed that those who are most likely to compare themselves with others tend to also be prone to envy and depressive symptoms.
These studies indicate just how detrimental it can be to constantly feel inferior when comparing ourselves to others. A key step in overcoming these feelings is learning how to practice self-compassion, which is essentially being kind and understanding towards yourself instead of viewing yourself through a critical lens. Instead of using comparison as a source of motivation, it can be helpful to focus on cultivating gratitude for the things we do have and recognizing our individual strengths.
It can also help to remind ourselves that comparison isn’t always an accurate way of measuring success and happiness. Just because someone else may appear more successful or content than us doesn’t mean that they are inherently better or more deserving than we are. We all have different experiences, backgrounds, and interests that shape who we are—it’s important to remember this when those feelings of inferiority come up.
It can take time to break out of the habit of comparing ourselves with others, but it is possible with practice, says Jay Holstine. Rather than letting negative thoughts and feelings take over, try to recognize that everyone’s life paths are different and focus on your own individual strengths. Taking the time to celebrate our successes—big or small—and practicing self-compassion can go a long way toward improving our mental well-being. However, if these methods do not seem to be working for you, consider seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor who can provide further support in this area.
Jay Holstine’s Concluding Thoughts
According to Jay Holstine, by making an effort to cultivate self-compassion, focus on individual strengths, and let go of comparison as a measure of success, we can learn how to stop feeling inferior when comparing ourselves to others. With dedication and practice, it is possible to gain more confidence in oneself and break free from the shackles of comparison. In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt: “Comparison is an act of violence against the self.” Let’s make an effort to recognize our individual potential and strive towards it instead of comparing ourselves to others. Only then can we truly stop feeling inferior when making comparisons?