Why do we constantly compare ourselves with the people around us? It’s such a diminishing habit because it usually leaves us feeling bad about ourselves, ‘less than’ the person we are comparing with and more insecure than ever. And frankly is it even necessary to compare? Is life a race where it is a requirement to compare running speeds and best timings? Are we in a perpetual competition or contest, every day of our lives, where we feel we have to outdo everyone else around us?

Besides, what do we get out of beating others? A false sense of superiority that is short-lived at best.

What would life be like if we decided not to compare with anyone but ourselves instead? If we just focused on outperforming ourselves, improving on our previous best, scoring higher in the next test or exam, or running a faster race?

I do believe that life would be so much happier if we only had to contend with ourselves and not numerous other people whose efforts and talents we have no control over.

We can begin at this very moment to run our own race instead of a universal race where we are running against other people; to work at our best and to pursue excellence at every step instead of looking to others to set standards that we need to measure up to. To do this we first need to be aware of our strengths and limitations and to accept them wholeheartedly, without feeling small or ‘less than’ in any way. Then we need to set realistic goals, based on what we are good at, and we need to pursue these goals single-mindedly, with focus, passion and discipline.

If we strive to be the best version of ourselves, we will live up to our true potential and have a joyous life too.