Focus on Yourself, Not Others

In our contemporary world, where social media constantly puts other people’s lives on display, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison. You scroll through Instagram, seeing a friend’s promotion, another person’s fitness transformation, or someone’s seemingly perfect vacation. And suddenly, you start questioning your own life: “Why am I not there yet? Why am I not achieving those things?”

But here’s the thing – comparing yourself to others is like running a race but constantly looking at the person next to you. When you do that, you lose focus, trip over your own feet, and eventually stumble. Life works in the same way. Focusing too much on other people’s progress can distract you from your own.

Think about this: Imagine you’re learning to play an instrument, say the guitar. You might see videos of professional musicians playing complex solos effortlessly. It’s natural to feel disheartened, but what you don’t see is the years of practice they put in, the mistakes they made, and the frustrations they faced along the way. If you’re constantly measuring your beginner’s progress against their expertise, you’ll likely feel like giving up. But if you focus on your own journey – mastering one chord, then a song, and gradually building your skills – you’ll notice the progress you’re making, step by step.

Another example is fitness. Let’s say you’ve just started going to the gym, and you see people lifting heavy weights or running marathons. It’s easy to feel inadequate in comparison. But you have to remember that those people might have been training for years. If you compare your day one to their year five, you’re setting yourself up for frustration. Instead, focus on your own progress: maybe today you can lift five pounds more than last week, or run a little farther without stopping. Those small wins are what really matter.

It’s not just in skills or physical achievements either; this applies to every aspect of life. If you’re building a career and you see someone else getting promotions or starting their own business, it’s tempting to feel behind. But everyone’s path is different. You don’t know the struggles or sacrifices they made to get where they are. Maybe they took a risk you’re not ready for, or maybe they faced challenges you wouldn’t trade for your own.

Focusing on yourself means investing in your personal growth, paying attention to your strengths, weaknesses, and goals. You can still learn from others, but don’t let their achievements overshadow your own journey. Think about what you want to achieve. What’s the next small step you can take toward your goals? When you stop worrying about where others are and concentrate on where you are going, you’ll feel more in control of your life.

Let’s say you’re working on a side project or learning a new skill. It’s okay to be inspired by others, but don’t let their success make you feel inadequate. Your timeline is your own, and your progress is unique to you. If you focus on consistent improvement, no matter how slow, you’ll eventually get to where you want to be.

In the end, the only person you should be comparing yourself to is who you were yesterday. Did you learn something new? Did you make a small step forward? That’s what matters. Progress, no matter how small, is still progress.

By focusing on yourself, you’ll find more peace, contentment, and satisfaction. You’ll also start appreciating your own efforts and achievements more, rather than being distracted by what everyone else is doing. So stay in your lane, focus on your goals, and trust that your journey is unfolding in the way that’s right for you.

Contributed by Agolo Eugene Uzorka, CEO/ Lead Consultant, Eugene + George Consulting Limited (www.eugenegeorgeconsulting.com)