Beyond Comparison

Him: Welcome to today’s episode of Beyond Comparison: Redefining Personal Excellence. We’re diving deep into a topic that touches everyone—how do we define success and growth without relying on comparison? Joining me is someone who has spent a lot of time reflecting on this, my guest today: Me! Welcome to the show.

Me: Thanks for having me. I’m excited to discuss this topic—it’s something close to my heart.

Him: Let’s start with the role comparison plays in our lives. From the time we’re young, we’re taught to measure ourselves against others—whether it’s grades in school, performance at work, or even on social media. Why do you think comparison is such a big part of how we measure success today?

Me: I think comparison has always been ingrained in human behavior. It’s a natural way to understand where we stand in society or a particular field. But the problem is, when we focus too much on comparison, it often distracts us from our own unique strengths and potential. Instead of thriving, we’re chasing someone else’s success story, which might not even align with our values or talents.

Him: That’s a great point. So, in your view, what are the dangers of this mindset of constant comparison?

Me: It limits our creativity. When we’re always looking at what others are doing, we’re less likely to innovate. It can also lead to burnout, stress, and a distorted sense of self-worth. You end up competing in a race that doesn’t belong to you, and that’s exhausting.

Him: So, how do we redefine success on our own terms? If we don’t compare ourselves to others, what should we use as a benchmark?

Me: Success should be about personal growth and alignment with your values. For me, it’s about setting goals that reflect who I am and what I want to achieve, not what society expects. It’s about mastering a craft, gaining deeper knowledge, or feeling fulfilled. If we chase external benchmarks, we may achieve them but still feel empty. The real challenge is asking yourself, "What does success mean to me?" and building from there.

Him: I love that idea—turning success into something personal and self-driven. Can you share an example from your own life where you stopped comparing and focused on your own journey?

Me: Definitely. In my professional and creative life, I’ve learned to stop looking at others’ accomplishments and started focusing on what fulfills me. In filmmaking, for example, I don’t compare my work to mainstream directors. Instead, I focus on telling stories that resonate with me and make an impact in my way. That shift has allowed me to feel much more accomplished because I’m staying true to myself.

Him: One of the key points you’ve made is the idea of surpassing your own 'best' without comparison. How do you approach that?

Me: Surpassing your best is about redefining your own limits. Once you achieve something, ask yourself, "What’s next?" Instead of measuring yourself against others, you measure yourself against who you were yesterday. It’s about continuous learning, innovation, and pushing boundaries. For example, in my creative projects, I aim to improve my storytelling, bring in new perspectives, or explore different formats. It’s about the journey of improvement rather than a fixed point of comparison.

Him: That sounds like a powerful approach. So, in a way, you're always chasing a moving target, but it’s one that’s personally meaningful to you?

Me: Exactly. The moment you define your best, you also create room for growth. There’s always another level, and it comes from within—not from what others are doing.

Him: You’ve mentioned how success is something you measure internally. How do you track that kind of success without comparing to external markers?

Me: It comes down to setting personal benchmarks. For example, I look at how much I’ve grown in areas that are important to me—whether it’s my creative work, my professional life, or even personal development. Am I more fulfilled? Am I more aligned with my values? These are the kinds of questions I ask myself. I don’t need external validation to know I’m on the right path.

Him: What about those who struggle to set those internal benchmarks? Do you have any advice for them?

Me: Start by identifying what’s important to you. What gives you a sense of meaning or joy? Then, set small, achievable goals that align with that. Success is about progress, not perfection. Keep revisiting your goals and adjusting them based on your growth, not based on what others are doing.

Him: Now let’s move on to some questions we’ve received from our listeners. The first one asks, "Can you truly reach your full potential if you never compare to others?"

Me: Absolutely. Full potential is not about reaching a point where you’re better than others. It’s about continuously evolving in a way that’s true to you. If you compare yourself to others, you might limit your potential because you’re only aiming to match or surpass them. But if you’re focused on your own journey, there’s no limit to how far you can go.

Him: Another listener asks, "How do you challenge yourself if you don’t have anyone else to compete with?"

Me: You challenge yourself by setting goals that push you out of your comfort zone. Competing with others can be a distraction from real growth. Instead, focus on improving specific skills, taking on new challenges, or venturing into uncharted territory. The competition is with yourself—how much better can you be than you were yesterday?

Him: This has been an inspiring conversation! To wrap up, what’s one takeaway you’d like our listeners to walk away with today?

Me: I’d say the key takeaway is that true excellence comes from within. Don’t limit yourself by constantly comparing to others. Focus on your own growth, set personal benchmarks, and redefine your best as you evolve. Success is a deeply personal journey, and the more you embrace that, the more fulfilling it becomes.

Him: Thank you so much for sharing your insights! I think many of us can benefit from this shift in perspective.

Me: It’s been a pleasure, and I hope it helps others feel empowered to focus on their own paths.

Copyright ? 2024 Haresh Sippy

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