I see this everywhere. People comparing revenue, numbers of employees, diets, and more and TO WHAT END? Comparison is the thief of joy (someone famous said this) so if you find it coming for you, stop it in its tracks.

I have an ugly confession. The other day I caught myself feeling jealous of my wife’s weight loss, despite being in some of the best shape of my life. We’ve both been laser-focused on health these past few months. I’ve been logging serious miles training for a marathon while she’s been crushing her nutrition and exercise goals. Here’s the kicker: her dramatic weight loss began as the result of a ruptured appendix with severe complications! Not exactly a trade I’d want to make.

Why am I sharing this embarrassing ridiculousness? Because this same dynamic plays out in our business circles constantly. We compare our behind-the-scenes footage to someone else’s highlight reel and spiral into self-doubt about our progress or achievements. The reality? We rarely know the full story behind someone else’s success (unlike me, who witnessed Kelly’s painful journey firsthand). Here are some tips to stop the Comparison Trap:

1. Spot Your Comparison Triggers
   Is it scrolling through LinkedIn at midnight when you should be sleeping? Or watching that “overnight success” story of a 25-year-old with family money who “hustled her way to the top”? Identify these triggers and set boundaries fast. Only you can define these and protect yourself.
2. Gratitude: The Ultimate Emergency Brake 
   When comparison sneaks in, pull out your mental gratitude list. Nothing quiets the “everyone’s doing better than me” voice like remembering you built something from scratch that’s still standing despite everything.
3. Set Goals That Don’t Involve That Person who seems like they are “Doing it All” (cuz I promise they aren’t) 
   Create standards based on your actual life and business, not someone’s curated highlight reel or professional persona. Your only competition is the business you ran last quarter and the person you are becoming.
4. Be a WOO Girl and Celebrate Wins Like You Just Found the Perfect Parking Spot Downtown
   Did you finally clear your inbox? Delegate a task you’ve been hoarding? Actually take a weekend off? These victories deserve recognition without checking if anyone else’s wins are bigger. Progress is progress, even when it’s messy.
5. Treat Social Media Like That High-Maintenance Client You Need to Set Boundaries With
   We all know social media is warped AF. Limit your exposure.
6. Talk to Yourself Like You’re Your Own Business Bestie
   Yah yah, you’ve heard it before, self talk MATTERS. Be the friend who reminds you that you’re KILLING IT even when you’re not feeling productive or you’re not meeting all your goals. “You balanced the books AND kept humans alive today? Legendary.”
7. Own Your Unique Business Superpowers
   Maybe you have exceptional customer service or you’re a hiring ninja. Perhaps you’ve mastered the art of the diplomatic “no.” These skills matter! Embrace them like they’re your competitive advantage (because they are).
8. Cull Your Herd
   Surround yourself with people who deliver value, meet deadlines on your emotions, and don’t drain your mental bandwidth. Cut ties with the energy vampires who make you feel like you’re constantly underperforming. I can’t stress this enough!
9. Reframe Those Entrepreneur Catastrophe Thoughts
   When that voice says “Everyone’s scaling faster than you,” counter with “That’s interesting, I wasn’t aware you had access to their P&L statements and burnout levels.” Your business, your timeline, your definition of success.

Remember: You started this business because you were bold enough to bet on yourself. Don’t let comparison make you fold when you’ve already survived so many hands. You’ve got this, even on the days when “this” is just keeping the lights on.