Avoid Negative, Rooted Thinking When Comparing Yourself To Others

Avoid Negative, Rooted Thinking When Comparing Yourself To Others

There’s nothing entirely wrong with comparing yourself to others. It can be a great way to motivate yourself or learn how to do something better, but there are dangers that can affect your thought process as well.

Photo by Ryan Holst

If you find yourself comparing yourself to someone else, it’s important you do so in the right way. Mark Sisson at his blog Mark’s Daily Apple suggests you always remain mindful and honest of why you’re making comparisons:

What are really looking at when we’re glancing around the gym during our rest periods? What’s really going through our heads when we head for the back row (or the front row) at a fitness class? What are we looking to see in other people? Are we information gathering — on techniques or ideas? Or are we looking for ammunition to use against ourselves to affirm rooted thinking — or for justifications to boost our egos?

As Sisson explains, rooted thinking can go in two directions. It can keep you thinking you’re not good enough, but it can also keep you thinking that you don’t have room for improvement. Always know why you’re making a comparison, and if it’s only to feed your rooted thinking, make an effort to look elsewhere. When in doubt, compare yourself to the “old you.”

The Pros and Cons of Comparing Yourself to Others [Mark’s Daily Apple]


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