In Austin yesterday I met Jodi, who was attending the panel I co-presented with Jonathan Fields. Jodi talked about recently taking her first trip abroad, to Europe.
Some active travelers might say a trip like that is “no big deal”—but I understood exactly why she was excited. When you’ve never left home, your first destination is most definitely a big deal.
Someone else wrote in to say they had been to “only” 20 countries. What? 20 countries is great. Plenty of people never go anywhere.
Someone else said their business was just getting started and made “only” $500 the first month. What? $500 is a lot of money. If you can make $500, you can probably make $5,000—but even if you never do, making any amount of money on your own for the first time is a highly notable event.
When we falsely compare ourselves to others, we needlessly belittle our accomplishments. We also give weight to the wrong idea that venturing out of our comfort zone is “no big deal” or that small successes are “overrated.”
But actually, doing what other people expect you to is what’s overrated. The external rewards for pursuing a dream may or may not arrive, but regardless, you should feel proud of doing so. The first steps are more important than the later ones, because they’ll provide inspiration and security for everything that comes later. Just keep walking!
Never despise small beginnings, and don’t belittle your own accomplishments. Remember them and use them as inspiration as you go on to the next thing. When you venture outside your comfort zone, wherever the starting point may be, it’s kind of a big deal.
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Image: Fury
March 14, 2011
Tracy
This post struck home for me, Chris. I had recently realized that I do this all the time, and reading this today helped me realize why. Two friends had recently complimented me on how I handle our family’s food allergies, and I had brushed it off, thinking it wasn’t like they had [insert horrible disease here]. But that wasn’t their point. It shouldn’t be about what I do in comparison to anyone but myself. Thanks for that reminder.
March 14, 2011
daniel
You have to celebrate every accomplishments. The same way that a professional million dollar basketball player is going to score points for every basket. There are no simple baskets and no simple accomplishments. While I’m on it, simple things make my wife smile ear to ear and inside I celebrate every one of her smiles
March 14, 2011
GutsyWriter
My problem is not comparing myself to others, but expecting myself to do better. I ‘m very demanding of myself and because I always share my publishing steps with others who don’t understand the process of getting an agent/ getting published and all the self-promoting you have to do as an author today, I get into a, “Come on Sonia. What’s taking so long,” attitude.
March 14, 2011
gaurav
Chris.. Last year i travelled to the US (texas, ny etc). first time outside of India and i was like jodi and loved it… but the truth is this world is filled with enough people who will keep putting you back, despite of all good intensions , they will push you back. Its always a uphill task..so u start to become more quieter and lesser prone to taking up challenges. What we need is a great bunch of people who will have faith in us… I have faith in Jodi and everyone who said a big yes to this post.
March 15, 2011
jox64
I am reminded of the quote “The success of others should serve as our isnpiration, not our standards”.
March 15, 2011
KC
I shifted my career…left a good paying job…went abroad (my first) on my own expenses for education…took a less paying job after that…took some steps which I havent seen many people doing (I am comparing here)…but at the same time sometimes I feel was it the right decision?…but now I think it was…all that I did was “big deal” for myself…thanks Chris and thanks everyone!!!
March 15, 2011
Debora
You’ll never know how much this post meant to me. I’ve copied and pasted your words into a file named ‘encouragement’ so that I can refer to them from time to time. It’s so easy to compare oneself to others and it’s a recipe for discouragement-which is quite frankly how I’ve been feeling of late. Thanks for putting me back on track.
March 15, 2011
Natalie
Wow Chris, Thanks!
This was absolutely perfect for me = a +1 confidence boost
March 16, 2011
Kim
I have been struggling with this myself lately. Sometimes it feels easier to recognize the successes of those around us than our own successes.
March 16, 2011
Jennifer Campbell
It’s nice to be reminded that any step forward towards creating your dream should be celebrated as a success. Whether it’s a $10 sale or $1000 sale doesn’t matter as long as one step motivates another.
March 24, 2011
Drew C David
“When we falsely compare ourselves to others, we needlessly belittle our accomplishments.” I like this reminder, because I have seen how falsely comparing myself with others has threatened my own adventures.
I really appreciate the adverb “Falsely” used to describe the comparison that goes on. Comparing isn’t the problem. Comparing can lead to motivation, or even encouragement. As I look at your travels/accomplishments (comparing them to my own) it encourages me to take new risks and explore new places.