How am I a better version of myself today?

Recently I saw a video of Simon Sinek talking about how futile it is to compare ourselves to others all the time. He talks about how often we compare ourselves with others on criteria’s such as career achievements and general happiness in life based on social media posts and this in turn becomes a source of personal misery rather than any solid progression or joy. He (Simon) also reminds how not everything posted on social media is a true reflection of the life people lead. His talk then leads to a more interesting aspect of comparing ourselves with others, i.e., how in many cases when we compare ourselves to others it is insightful and beneficial to acknowledge that our strengths may be another’s weakness and vice versa.

It made me reflect on my own thinking pattern. I have been honored over my educational period and career to be surrounded by people who I felt were always better than me in some aspect or the other; more focused than me, more creative, more caring, more disciplined, more eloquent, more knowledgeable, and the list goes on. This acknowledgement of their strengths became a source of much stress, in my educational days and early part of my career, where I would question myself: ‘why am I not as good as them at that? Part of growing up has meant two shift for me. 1) Rather than stressing out, I have started looking to view these people as teachers and role models on specific aspects. I now look at them and ask myself, what can I learn from them? This thinking has also developed immense gratitude in me, knowing that I have so many people to look up to and learn from. 2) Remodeling my progression scale and now I ask ‘how am I a better version of myself today compared to myself yesterday’? The words of Simon Sinek resonated with me.

With gratitude to all the wonderful people I have lived, studied and worked with over my life!!

https://meinmaking.home.blog/2021/03/15/how-am-i-a-better-version-of-myself-today/