Beating creative comparison by focusing on running your own race

If you know anything about running a race that you aren’t fully prepared for, you'll agree with the overwhelming wave of emotions that all hit you simultaneously. You show up feeling excited, nervous and your eyes are laser focused on the journey ahead. You hear, and are prepared to follow the rhythm of your heartbeat. The adrenaline is rushing through your body, your mind is screaming PERFORM PERFORM PERFORM . . . When the whistle blows, it’s go time – you’re ready to attack your miles, one by one.

Not too long ago, I experienced these feelings as I took part in the Chi Town 10k race organized by All Community Events. During the first mile, I felt this sinking and defeated feeling in my stomach. So many runners were passing me by. “Am I not running fast enough, because this is my usual pace!”. The rhythm of my heart changed, I fell out of synch with it, and felt out of place and unaccomplished in a goal that I didn’t even know what was. All of a sudden the crowd was so loud, and I was losing my focus. Naturally I started picking up my speed to keep up, but then I fell back.

At that exact moment, I remembered the mini pep talk my running coach had given me at the starting line . . . It’s as if she knew that those negative feelings would hit. She told me; “as soon as the whistle blows, you're going to have an adrenaline rush, and you’re going to want to start running fast, but we have a long way to go, so no matter how fast you want to go, you have to go slower”.

There’s a reason why weeks later, those words are still dancing around in my thoughts, and they now have deeper meaning beyond just running. It really got me thinking about how we approach life, our careers, content creation, influencing, virality and social media trends. We often don’t know people's truths, starting point, end goal, and last but not least . . . their luck. Yet we find ourselves comparing ourselves to them even though our individual race and end goal in life is so different to theirs.?

After 7 years in the influencer game, let me let you in on a secret that most won't – yes consistency is great, but you can’t sustain success without pacing yourself in a race. You being prepared, having your set rythm, working at your craft, building your muscles slowly but surely, that’s what makes you an outstanding runner with stamina. If you’re an influencer, work within influencer marketing or social media, just know that you're in it for the long haul.

Going back to my 10k race very quickly – there's a big moment every Chicago runner knows about. Right before the finishing line is the Roosevelt Bridge. It’s this steep bridge that overlooks the city. On some days it's the most beautiful view of my favorite place, but on that day it was the final push to the medal. I knew from the initial whistle that I needed to save my energy so that I could complete the race, and not just participate. The thing with comparing yourself is that you only see people running, and possibly passing you by. All you see is their speed but you don’t know if people are training for speed, if they’ve just started their race so they have more energy, if they’re running a shorter distance than you. When we compare we often start feeling like we’re running behind, but feelings aren’t facts.

When your approach to life is purpose driven, you’ll be comfortable with your pace, no matter how long it takes you to get to the finish line.

Let’s take Instagram Reels. It took me a year after the launch of the feature on Instagram before I created my first Reel. I didn't know my approach to Reels, I'm not just going to create them because that's what everyone else is doing. In order to have creative momentum where you’re focused on your own race, you have to have clarity. Know your pace and increase it as time goes by. When we compare ourselves to others that seem to be further ahead, we’re not being true to ourselves. Always be true to your own speed, because it’s hard to sustain something when it doesn’t align with who you truly are.

I believe in purposeful posting over passive posting. I truly believe that we're the most successful when we run on a path that is mapped out just for us. Specifically designed for you, and how you want to show up in this world – when I have a clear sense of direction of where I’m going, no matter what’s going on around me, and who’s passing me by, I stay focused.?

As a creator, you have to visualize where you’re taking your brand. At the beginning of my race I knew the hill that was ahead, I knew where the finish line was, and I was determined to get there despite my anxiety. People running past you is a distraction. There will always be distractions along the way, but if you just focus on what your finishing line is, you won’t have the capacity to care or compare.?

It might seem like people are growing faster than you online, someone's career trajectory might seem faster than yours, but you don't know their sacrifice. Don’t be phased. Success is; I'm going to complete that race, not; I’m going to finish it faster than everyone else.?

Unfortunately what happens is when people surpass us, then we start speeding up, or envying their progress, but might I remind you that there’s a reason why you’re running slower at the moment, and it has nothing to do with you being inferior in any way. You can run towards your goals and still cheer others on.

They way that you beat comparison is by show up for yourself daily, stick to the commitments you make when it comes to your goals. You can be doing just fine, then look to your sides and increase your speed – missing out on lessons that are there to help you evolve into an even better creator. Don’t miss your process, progress and purpose playing catch-up with everyone else. In 2022 we’re operating from a place of truth, and not insecurity. Other people getting to their destination before you, doesn’t?take away from your efforts of getting to yours. Applaud others for achieving their goals.?

With social media trends, styles, and features, we’re so quick to pick up our speed. Relax. When we put in the work to the best of our ability consistently, we get there eventually. Left foot, right food. Keep your eyes on the finish line. It might take you longer than somebody else, but you'll get there. It doesn't matter how fast everyone’s going, redefine what fast is to YOU.

Always unfiltered,?

Hayet Rida, Creative strategist & influencer