Have you ever walked into a conversation that felt like you weren’t supposed to be a part of, but one that you were also invited into?
It’s a strange situation. You know you’re supposed to be there, but you’re also an outsider.
That’s how I often feel in my day-to-day job. I get put into a lot of situations where I’m not the expert, but I’m supposed to take notes from experts or write about experts, somehow crafting their expertises and experiences into stories that the general public can understand.
It’s somewhat like being invited into a friend group, but only being there because you’re a friend of a friend.
It has its perks, too. You get to meet a lot of people and get exposed to new ideas. It’s a networking dream, and for the most part, people are respectful of the unknowing questions I ask.
But its still strange and always leaves me feeling “less than.” It always leaves me saying, look what these folks have done with their lives, while. Iook at my own and try to compete. There’s that comparison again, that thing that steals joy.
So how can we prevent that comparison, even in the work place or professional world where it seems like all there is to do is compare?
I think we can start with taking account of who we are.
Who were we created to be? And how beautiful and unique is that? While it’s easy to see our flaws, try to see your fortunes, and from there, help dismiss comparison out the door.
-Cliff
Cliff’s Note: Another reminder that, “comparison is the thief of joy.”