Looking at other people, I can only find what I expect to find. If I think I have a weak frame, I will only find people who are assertive, confident, and always smiling. Of course such people exist. But so do people who are shy and quiet. I just fail to see them because I’m too caught up looking at my own flaws. Hence, I dive into a downward spiral of feeling sorry about myself.
It is much more fruitful to compare myself to myself. How have I changed? Have I grown? Were these changes positive? Did I manage to progressively eliminate my bad habits? Have I developed my self-discipline? Strengthen my will power? I am the only measuring stick that matters. The focus is to improve myself as I go forward.
Putting this into practice is tricky. When people dear to me comment on how my peers have done well (financially), and that they are disappointed in my lack of achievement, how can I not let it affect me? I tell myself that they don’t understand, but deep down, it hurts. More importantly, how can I stop that little voice in the back of my head that has a habit of speaking up when most unwarranted?
