EP 7: Do You Compare Yourself to Others?
Sarah McVanel, MSc, CSP, PCC, CHRL, CSODP
Chief Recognition Officer | Canada's Recognition Expert | Professional Speaker | Coach | Author | 'FROG Lady'
In this episode of the Greatness Together Podcast, we discuss why we compare ourselves to others and what we should consider to ensure we’re not being unrealistic in our expectations.
Greatness Moments:
Have you ever found yourself in the midst of an unhealthy comparison – “That person is so fit,” “They look so much more put together,” “They have a great job,” “How do they have such a strong relationship?” Maybe you didn’t even know you were comparing until you were in the thick of it!
Even if you see yourself as pretty confident and even in situations where you feel pretty good about yourself, you can always find a person, situation, or opportunity you desire. Your brain immediately narrows in on that, and there you go again, in a comparison loop where you’re not the winner!
And how could it be? Brené Brown’s research has shown that comparison is “the crush of conformity from one side and competition from the other—it’s trying to simultaneously fit in and stand out.” (See this quote and many juicy insights about comparison in her books, including Atlas of the Heart.)
When you look at this definition, it seems like a human behaviour puzzle, doesn’t it? How is it even possible? How can something seemingly so impossible also be so automatic? How does it happen so easily? How does it pop up so frequently?
Explore this and scrumptious psychology insights in our episode. Please comment and share!
Join us as we explore common sources of comparison in our generations and ideas we have about when we get caught in loops. We may not be able to stop comparison completely, but we don’t need to feel we’re victims of it.