I have this picture hanging behind my desk at Joyous HQ. It's usually the first thing I see when I get in and the last thing I look at when I leave. I get a lot of remarks about it, mostly along the lines of "I don't get it". For many, I believe it conjures up an immediate negative connotation, but I have a different perspective.
Let me explain.
I've been an "entrepreneur" for as long as I can remember.
(side note: I use quotes because I don't typically like describing myself using that word. I find it's a trendy title these days and I feel a little douchey using it, but for the purpose of this piece, let's roll with it)
From catering and event management, to a boutique gym and now Joyous Health, I've been able to build on the moderate success of each past venture and continue to hone my skill set and instincts. One of the most valuable lessons I've learned over the years (and one that I only fully appreciated recently) is that of perspective.
Perspective can be tricky. We use perspective to measure how far we've come, how far we have to go and unfortunately it's often completely subjective.
For myself, being an entrepreneur and fully realizing that it's either sink or swim brings out the best and worst in me. It brings out creativity and confidence and fearlessness while also feeding into a negative feedback loop of insecurity, fear and indecisiveness.
(side note #2: I think this can apply to anyone, in any position, regardless of employment status. At the end of the day, it's about self-development and self-awareness)
One of the biggest triggers for me is that of comparison. There are a lot of successful people and businesses out there, and they make it look easy. They tout multi-figure revenues, have fancy marketing and garner lots of attention. Frankly, it makes me jealous at times.
In the past, I'd be inclined to turn everything upside down, make drastic changes, question what I wasn't doing right, then finally, it hit me!
No matter how easy it looks, or how successful someone may appear to be, chances are, they are going through the same stuff you are - it just has a shiny coat of paint on top 😉 .
All that glitters is not gold.
No matter how good it looks on the surface, I can almost guarantee they're putting in the same hard work and long hours, facing the same challenges and insecurities and probably looking around and thinking the exact same thing as you are.
It's all about perspective.
My first step towards moving past this is awareness. I still get stuck in that negative feedback loop at times. I still want to flip things upside down from time to time. But at least now, I'm aware of it and can quickly re-focus on what's important. Robin Sharma calls it "staying in your lane", akin to having blinders on and not being distracted by others perceived successes.
So there you have it! Next time you find yourself drifting out of your lane, distracted, discouraged or focusing too much on others success, remember - all that glitters is not gold.
Your turn! How do you keep perspective?
- Do you have a favourite quote/affirmation?
- Do you have a go-to song?
- Do you have any rituals that help you stay focused?
This is a great post, Walker! I often struggle with the comparison syndrome. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyHey Chantal, Totally with you on that - a lot of us do! The comforting thing to note is how many people struggle with this and recognizing that you aren't alone in that. This is your journey, not anyone else's and that's all that matters :) Rachel - Joyous Health Team
Glad you enjoyed Chantal. It takes some work, but once you get it, YOU GET IT!
If I'm ever losing touch with what's really important to me and what makes me happy, I just remind myself that I only have this life and I want to look back and be sure I enjoyed every part and didn't waste any time. Maybe it sounds a bit morbid to some but it stops me stressing about things that don't really matter and to keep things in perspective.
ReplyHey Lindsay, That's funny because I do the EXACT SAME THING! It helps so much and really puts things into perspective. Sometimes we forget how valuable this life of ours really is when we're in the daily grind of it. But when we step back and a moment to breathe, it's easier to see the importance of slowing down, having more fun with things and not stressing as you said :) Thanks so much for sharing that. Rachel - Joyous Health Team
Great article! Definitely can use this advice (all that glitters is not gold) in all areas of life.
ReplyHey Heather, You've got it :) Happy you enjoyed the article! Rachel - Joyous Health Team
Glad you enjoyed the article Heather!
Great article! And such a good message to remind ourselves!
ReplyThanks for the blog post, Walker. It was nice to hear your thoughts on that quote and your perspective on growing a business and maintaining perseverance. 😀 Thank you to both you and Joy for your hard work, dedication and creativity to help others find health and wellness. I'm so grateful I found you guys. 😊👍
ReplyHey Laurie! So glad you enjoyed the post :) We're happy you found Joyous Health too and are so grateful to have you in our community! Rachel - Joyous Health Team
So well written!!! I truly love posts that are real, honest and have a message you can carry into a positive change within yourself. I will be definitely keeping this as a reminder. I find when the comparison and negative talk becomes a little too loud, I go back to my fav "self empowering" books that I have tabbed. Sometimes just reading something at one time sparked an ah-ha moment is enough to get you back on track. Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyHey Stephanie, So glad you enjoyed it and were able to take away a lot from it! That's a great little ritual to have and it's practices like that, that keep us on track and focused on our own goals, or rather "stay in our own lane". Thanks for sharing! :) Rachel - Joyous Health Team
This was an fantastic blog post and something that came at just the right time for me. Comparison is such a killer sometimes and it's hard to remember that these same people we compare ourselves to, are probably having the exact same emotions. Whenever I find myself spinning out of control, I try to re-focus, read (or re-read) my favourite self-development books and make a plan to 'stay in my lane'! Thank you for this post! Keep up the great work.
ReplyHey Amy! So glad you enjoyed it! Sometimes it takes a little reminder here and there to put things back into perspective and to remind ourselves that this is our journey and no one else's. Sounds like you have some great tips already in your back pocket - you go girl! :) Rachel - Joyous Health Team
Great post Walker! I totally agree. Love it
ReplyThanks Jill! Glad you enjoyed the post :)
One of my fav's is "watch the road, not the wipers"
ReplyLove that!
Life is full of ups and down, challenges of all sorts, and sometimes something really really awful happens. I remind myself ..."It could always be worse" Someone else out there in the world probably, and very likely, has it much worse than I do so I don't get too bent out of shape and just do what I have to do to get out of that situation.
ReplyHey Beatrice, Exactly and we love that philosophy too! Don't sweat the small stuff and be grateful for what you have in front of you :) Thanks for sharing! Rachel - Joyous Health Team
Great post. Perspective is so important. I've always felt comparison was a waste of time. Each of us is created a unique person with unique strengths and weaknesses. What one person is good at another person isn't. It makes no sense to compare what I'm not gifted in, with someone who is a natural, and vice versa. If we spend all that emotional energy discovering our gifts and purpose then we have no time for comparison, but can encourage others (and ourselves) as we travel our own roads of discovery and service.
ReplyHey Janet, Totally! Very well said. It's so easy to get caught up in the comparison game but when you step back, all of what you said just becomes so vivid and clear. Thanks for sharing such insightful thoughts! Rachel - Joyous Health Team