Breaking Free from the Comparison Trap
Recently, I hit a familiar wall – the comparison trap. And, I have been in business for over a decade now and I’ve mastered my style and craft. BUT mastery and experience doesn't make you immune. Even as an established business owner and photographer, I found myself sliding into this mental quicksand just a few days ago.
During a typical seasonal lull, I found myself doom-scrolling through peers' highlight reels. Client inquiries had slowed, and suddenly everyone else seemed to be sprinting while I felt stuck. That's when it hit me – I wasn't just comparing; I was paralyzed by it.
So I shared this with my husband to see if he could help me dissipate this nagging feeling I was having. He asked me a few questions that helped me reflect. And I immediately said, I’m going back to horse training. And, since I don’t ride horses (as in never have) he was very confused.
I laughed and shared that when jockeys are training their horses they put blinders on them so that they don’t look around the environment. These blinders cause the horses to only see and focus on the path in front of them. So horse training it is! Back to the blinders and only focusing on my unique path ahead, and the actions I need to take in my business.
So, just like that I turned quicksand into fuel.
The thing I’ve learned from my experience and from my entrepreneur friends is this - what separates successful entrepreneurs from the rest is the ability to recognize when you're in the comparison spiral and immediately shift into action mode.
Think of it like a mental circuit breaker – the moment you catch yourself in comparison mode, you flip the switch to action mode.
Instead of letting comparison drain your energy, use it as fuel. When you feel that familiar ache of "they're doing better," that's your signal to:
Name it: "I'm in comparison mode right now."
Claim it: "This feeling is showing me where I want to grow."
Reframe it: "What immediate action can I take to move forward?"
I decided to transform my comparison energy into a strategic offense. When, I see that I needed to stop comparing and start acting I reverted my focus to:
Working on my business
Audited my brand messaging for authenticity and impact
Revisited some testimonials to lift my spirit and affirm the value I bring to people
I create a plan of action to achieve my goals
And sometimes I listen to a book or podcast helps to shift my energy. Currently, I’m listening to the book The Magic of Thinking Big which is all about cultivating a mindset of confidence, bold vision, and decisive action to overcome self-doubt and achieve extraordinary success.
Just know that every minute spent in comparison is a minute stolen from your growth. The antidote isn't positive thinking – it's decisive action. Small, consistent steps create momentum that drowns out the noise of comparison.
Remember this: Your competitors aren't your enemy – inaction is. Every time you catch yourself comparing, take one immediate, concrete step forward. It doesn't have to be perfect; it has to be now.
Your journey isn't a race against others – it's a race against yesterday's version of yourself. The moment you shift from comparison to action, you've already won.
What’s one action you can take today? Go do that and create something remarkable.
Cheering you on!
xo,
Judith