If you took the strengths of others and compared them to your weaknesses, would this make you feel good? The funny thing is that this is what most of us do at one time or another—and some of us do it pretty often. It's a sure-fire recipe for a drop in self-confidence and for unhappiness. So how can we stop comparing ourselves with others? Here are some tips I've found useful.
Awareness.
Most often we do these social comparisons without realizing we're doing it. It's a natural act, I suppose. So the solution is to become aware. If you focus on these thoughts for a few days, it will become much easier with practice, and soon it'll be hard not to notice.
Stop yourself.
Once you realize you're making these comparisons, stop yourself. Don't feel bad—just admit the thought, and gently change the focus.
Count your blessings.
Focus on what you do have, and on what you are already blessed with. Count what you have, not what you don't have. Think about how lucky you are to have what you have, to have the people in your life who care about you. If you always want what others have, you will never have enough. You will always want more. That's an endless cycle, and it will never lead to happiness. Instead, learn to realize that what you have is already enough.
Focus on your strengths.
Instead of looking at your weaknesses, ask yourself what your strengths are. Be proud of them. Work on using them to your best advantage.
No one is perfect—we all know that. But we seem to feel bad when we don't reach perfection. You aren't perfect and you never will be. Keep trying to improve, but don't think you'll ever be the "perfect person". If you realize that imperfection is what makes you who you are, you are already perfect.
| Title: ____66____ on real perfection and happiness | ||
| ____67____ | It is ____68____ to compare others’ advantages with your disadvantages, for it may ____69____ in a decrease in confidence and happiness. | |
| Detailed suggestions | Awareness. | Be ___70____ of the comparisons you are doing. |
| Stop yourself. | Admit the thought and gently change the f___71___. | |
| Count your blessings. | Focus on your achievements and your born advantages ____72____ than what others have. | |
| Focus on your strengths. | Take __73__ in your strengths and make full ___74__ of them. | |
| Conclusion | It is ____75____ that makes you who you are and keep trying to improve. | |