Will I Celebrate or will I slip into Frustration and Disappointment?
You must not slip into disappointment.
Disappointment actually means you are DIS Appointed….you have missed or you are disqualified from your given appointment and your assignment from your Creator and Designer.
So, how do we stay on track and peruse the dreams we have in our heart?
I so appreciate my Mentor, Dean, who helps me keep focused and inspired. Today, he gave us an encouraging word with the example of working out in the gym. I applied this to myself. Great analogy.
I begin my very first workout, not to impressive! But I am seeing a lot a well-built very muscular individuals.
Weeks go by, then months… Oh, now I can see a little bit of definition in my shoulder now there’s a little bit of definition in my biceps. I feel so encouraged! I feel so motivated. Just a little embarrassed that I don’t look like these other guys.
I don’t feel any difference as I go to the gym every week, but if I look back at a picture of me from three months ago, oh my goodness, there is progress, there is a difference. Amazing!
Now I can apply this thought to my business.
I can look at others that are further down the line and may had quicker success. They make it look easy and they seems to be making money and I’m not. What’s wrong with me?
Answer: (2 KEYS)
1. Stay focused on YOUR journey and
2. Compare YOURSELF only with YOURSELF
I compare myself today with the version of me that once came on the Internet and said, how can I make some more money?
When I started didn’t know how to copy and paste…LOL! I did not know a fraction of what I know today and when I started I didn’t understand anything that I understand today in this online world. When I started I didn’t even know this stuff existed.
As this example goes, It’s like me walking into a gym today or my first day, not knowing how to use any of the equipment But today knowing what each piece of equipment is for and how to use it. But if I measuring myself up against the man with the huge biceps, the big shoulders, and comparing that to me, what a shame… is there any hope for me??
What should be my measure of success in that example? Well, you know a month ago I didn’t even know what this equipment was and now I’m using it that progress you know a month ago I was picking up the 25 pound dumbbells now I’m picking up the 40 pound dumbbells. I was exhausted after 30 minutes now I’m able to work out for an hour.
NOW, that’s progress and I want to recognize that progress because maybe I’m not where I want to be but I am getting there!
“You wanna know a secret from somebody that’s been in business for a long long time? I hate to spoil this for you, but there will probably never come a moment where you say I’ve done it all. I’ve got everything. Because what you’ll find is as you achieve goals that you have for yourself you move the goalposts if I look back to all the things I wanted 20 years ago, I’ve got more I’ve got it all. Literally everything that 15 years ago I wanted. I’ve got it but today do I feel like I’ve made it? No, not at all. In fact, I feel like I’m behind. I haven’t done haven’t got where I should be! What’s .wrong?”(Dean)
As I look back, I have done so much and have come so far and have learned so much. I have overcome so many challenges already and I’ve got more to learn, and I know I will face more challenges.
I will overcome the challenges and that is what’s called Growth. That is, what Progress is all about.
If I do not want to face challenges because I just want comfort, that’s called Settling!!!! But there will be a different kind of challenge with that. It will lead us down a path with no fulfillment in life.
So, I will always face challenges and “Yes, life will always be hard…. so choose your hard wisely”. (Dean)
I may want to acquire that great body at the gym. I might think that would be good and I should have those biceps. Hey, I just forget about that and just focus on the process! I will just keep showing up in the gym and keep focusing on the workout and follow the process. I will eventually get there. Patience and consistency.
Most of us want that bigger result now and if we focus on that, then we’ll never get it.
But if I focus on the process and get better and better at it the result will come. The payoff will come! I will live my best life for the rest of my life.
. My life journey is going to be full of highs and lows, and in the early stages, I may have more lows than highs because the toughest part in starting a business, is in the early stages.
Dean’s quote: “I don’t know what I don’t know and once I know what I don’t know, I don’t know how to do what I know! Then I gotta get better at what I am aware of and know what I need to do”.
Join me HERE in a great journey to success.
TRUTH TAG: I am a member of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, of God’s own special people. Today I proclaim the praises of Him who called me out of darkness and into His marvelous light. (Ephesians 2:19; 1 Peter 2:9)
I truly am becoming a fan of you, and I especially appreciate your truth tags at the end of your posts. My problem is comparing myself to others and a secondary is overthinking. I like your ideas on growth and progress. Thanks for these reminders.
Ahhhhhh, thanks Ernie. But yes, remember you are a “one of a kind.” Your Creator designed you to touch people I or no one else can touch, like you can touch them. There is no comparing in the Kingdom of God. That is really good news!
Have a great weekend!
John
Hi John! I compare myself to where I “should be.”
As if, because I know what to do next, it should already be done. I don’t give myself the grace of time to do it before I judge myself harshly for not being there.
This is a good reminder to give me the grace of time to “do the reps” in my business so that it can grow and succeed.
Thank you for this insight!
Nakina
Thanks Nakinafor your response.
Be “kind to yourself 😊
John, thanks for a great blog. The genius thing that struck with me in your blog is where you said, only compare yourself with yourself. I wish I was given the advice as a child. You always get compared to others as a child and then at work in the corporate world. The best thing you can do is just compare yourself to what you were yesterday. Are you better today than you were yesterday. Thank you so much for this reminder it really is Something that resonated with me. Thank you so much. Keep up the good work. Thanks, Atif
Thanks for your reply Atif.
I appreciate your encouragement!
Hi John,
Great detailed comparison between the fitness and running business.
really helps paint a mental picture makes it easy to understand!
Staying focused and comparing yourself to yourself only are two of the hardest things to do.
I’m getting better at it but it’s a work in progress.
You have the keys!
Denny
John,
It is so true we often compare ourselves to others, and when we do, ofter we come up short. I truly believe our goal should be to be better today than yesterday and better tomorrow than today. Don’t focus on where others are at but follow your journey. It may be difficult at times due to not seeing progress, as you mentioned. However, I can attest that when you look back over time you will see the changes.
One thing to remember God only holds one accountable for where he feels you should be at and not where the jones down the street are at. You are responsible to Him for your journey and no one else’s.
Keep On Keeping On!
You got this.
CJ
Yes, the only person we are “competing” with is ourselves. There is nothing else we need to concern ourselves about other than growing and improving ourselves.