As creatives, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others, especially in the age of social media where everyone’s successes are on full display. However, constantly measuring yourself against others can sabotage your progress and keep you from achieving your true potential. Here you’ll learn 10 secrets to help you with escaping the designer comparison trap and focus on your own unique path to success.
1. Become Aware of Your Triggers and Minimize Them
The first step to breaking free from comparison is to recognize what triggers those feelings of inadequacy. Is it a particular colleague, celebrity, or industry icon that you often find yourself comparing to? If so, take action to remove those triggers from your daily life.
Unfollow or Mute Accounts: If seeing certain people online makes you feel inferior, unfollow them or mute their posts. It’s about protecting your mental health and focusing on what truly matters to you.
Limit Social Media Exposure: Reduce your time on social media and be strategic about how you use it. Focus on sharing your work, engaging with your community, and staying inspired without falling into the rabbit hole of comparison.
2. Use Social Media Strategically
Social media can be a double-edged sword—it’s a powerful tool for growing your business, but it can also be a source of stress if not used wisely.
Engage Purposefully: Use your time online to make quality posts, engage genuinely with others, and celebrate their successes without feeling threatened.
Avoid Rabbit Holes: Don’t let yourself get lost in endless scrolling. Stay focused on your goals and avoid detours that can drain your energy and confidence.
3. Avoid Comparing Yourself to Others
It’s important to remember that you never know the full story behind someone else’s success. Everyone’s journey is unique, and comparing yourself to others only distracts you from your own path.
Ask Yourself: “Am I willing to do what they did? Am I willing to sacrifice what they sacrificed?” The answer is usually no, because your journey is your own, and it should be celebrated as such.
Remember Dr. Seuss: “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.” Embrace your uniqueness and focus on what makes you special.
4. Amp Up Your Gratitude Practice
Gratitude is a powerful antidote to comparison. When you focus on what you have and what you’ve accomplished, it’s hard to feel envious of others.
Daily Gratitude: Incorporate gratitude into your daily routine. Reflect on what you’re thankful for, whether it’s your skills, opportunities, or the simple joys in life.
Express Gratitude: Whether through journaling, verbal affirmations, or social media posts, regularly expressing gratitude can help shift your mindset from lack to abundance.
5. Use Comparison as Motivation
Instead of letting comparison bring you down, use it as motivation to set new goals and strive for what you want. This is a key tactic in escaping the designer comparison trap.
Identify What You Want: When you feel envious of someone else’s success, ask yourself if that’s something you truly want. If it is, use it as a goal to work towards, and start planning how you can achieve it in your own way.
6. Believe That If They Can Do It, So Can You
If someone else has achieved something you admire, it’s proof that you can do it too. Use their success as inspiration, not as a measure of your own shortcomings.
Learn from Others: Study the paths of those who have achieved what you want, and take notes on what you can apply to your own journey.
7. Focus on Your Gains, Not the Gap
Instead of comparing yourself to others and feeling like you’re coming up short, focus on how far you’ve come. This perspective shift is crucial for escaping the designer comparison trap.
Celebrate Your Progress: Regularly reflect on your achievements, no matter how small. This practice helps you stay motivated and appreciate the progress you’ve made.
8. Make Your Victory List and Refer to It Regularly
A victory list is a powerful tool to remind you of your accomplishments and boost your confidence.
Add New Victories Weekly: Each week, add at least one new achievement to your list. Over time, this list will grow and become a powerful reminder of your success.
9. Create Your Confidence Kit
A confidence kit, or brag book, is a collection of positive feedback, testimonials, and compliments that you can refer to whenever you need a boost.
Keep It Handy: Whether it’s a physical notebook or a digital file, have your confidence kit easily accessible so you can remind yourself of your worth whenever comparison starts to creep in.
10. Remember That Insecurities Are Universal
Everyone, even the most successful people, has insecurities. Understanding that you’re not alone in your struggles can help you feel less isolated and more confident. This realization is essential in escaping the designer comparison trap.
Read Biographies or Listen to Podcasts: Learning about the challenges and insecurities that others have faced can be incredibly empowering and remind you that everyone has their own battles.
Key Takeaways
Escaping the designer comparison trap is essential for your personal and professional growth. By becoming aware of your triggers, practicing gratitude, focusing on your own journey, and using comparison as motivation, you can break free from the negative cycle and step into your full potential. Remember, your unique path is what makes you special, and there’s no need to measure it against anyone else’s.
When you’re ready to increase your interior design practice profits, work exclusively with ideal clients, and enjoy the time and resources for your extraordinary life, explore your coaching options. We’ve got your back in the business of interior design.
