-Dale Carnegie
Here’s another insight that will help you live a happier, stress-free life :)
Why We Compare Things
As we grow up we learn the value of comparison. We learn to evaluate all things in life by comparing them to other things. For instance, we compare food. We eat different foods, comparing them with each other to decide what we like and dislike. Over time we develop a set of criteria we apply to food to decide if we will like it or not, whether it is good or not, and whether or not we should eat it. We do this with all things and over time we develop reference points that we use to make decisions and evaluations. We evaluate all things based on their relative value to other things, and this saves us both time and energy.
However, we also use this process when we look at ourselves. We consistently evaluate our life by comparing it to the lives of those around us. We compare our jobs, our education, our appearance, our weight, our fitness, our possessions, etc.
Comparing Ourselves
Since this process works in most other areas of our life, we assume it works here, BUT IT DOESN’T. In fact, the most damaging thing we can do to ourselves is compare our life to the lives of others.
And when we look at this process practically, it doesn’t make sense. From the moment we are born, we each begin a series of events that is so different and so distinct it is ridiculous to compare any 2 lives. We are all so uniquely different, have such different perspectives, different thoughts, different experiences that to compare is not logical. To compare one life to another is like comparing apples to airplanes, there’s not much in common, and the act of comparing the 2 really holds no value.
So the next time you compare your accomplishments, your looks, your education, etc. to that of others, remember how this comparison is one of the most illogical things you can do. It’s a tough habit to break, so by all means don’t feel bad when you catch yourself doing it, you’ve been doing it since you can remember. Just make an effort to recognize those moments and pull yourself away from that place. It will make all the difference in the world.
