Comparison: How To Wield It Wisely

Comparison is a natural part of human beings. At one point in our lives, we’ll find ourselves in situations where we compare ourselves to others. Whether in our personal life or professional career, comparison can be a joy stealer if not well curtailed. The issue of comparing yourself to others starts at a very young age. In my opinion, if children are not well trained, there is a possibility that they will develop the habit of comparing themselves to others.

This is why the importance of training a child cannot be overlooked. Have you ever heard a kid say; "I wish my parents had a car like my friend's parents or I wish our house was bigger than that of my friend's?” These are the things that pop up when they compare themselves with other kids. This can have negative impacts on them as they grow. I grew up in my parent’s shed. Thanks to them, they taught me the benefits of being content, and so I learnt never to compare myself with others (negatively, of course.)

However, as I grew older and wiser, I realized that comparison can be viewed from another perspective- a positive perspective. Just like a coin, comparison has two sides- the negative and positive sides. Comparing yourself to other people can have both negative and positive impacts on individuals. It is up to individuals to sieve the negative effects, and make good use of the positive ones. Choose light and avoid darkness. There is no doubt that comparison can damage one’s perception, and people often associate the term “comparison,” with only its negative effects. Hold up! Have you ever considered things beyond the box? Have you ever stopped to think of the benefits of comparing yourself to others? Yes, there are so many benefits.

One of the positive effects of comparison is that it motivates and inspires you to achieve your goals. Seeing someone achieve their goals can motivate and inspire you to do the same, even better. Let me use myself as a case study. Ever since I got into the university, I've been following in the footsteps of one of my seniors, Samuel. I learnt about him the first day I stepped into the school. “Samuel, Samuel, Samuel.” His name was on the lips of everyone. Stories of how he bagged parallel A's in all his courses were in the air. My first semester's result was good, but it was as good as Samuel’s result. I wanted a good result like his, and I even wanted better. So, I put in more effort in the next semester.

On another occasion, Samuel won an award. I was happy when I saw him, someone who I always look up to, win the award of excellence. That day, I made a promise to myself to also win that same award when I got to his level. And that was exactly what I did.

Having established that comparison has its advantages, there are also disadvantages. As I mentioned above, comparison is a double-edged sword. It all narrows down to sieve the behest I’ve effects, and focus on the positive ones. One of the disadvantages of comparing yourself to others is that it can make you look down on yourself. In other words, it can damage your self-perception. When you constantly compare your self-worth and beauty, you are doing harm to yourself. This can damage your self esteem, talent, and beauty. The youth of today have a habit of comparing themselves to their friends. Instead of viewing things positively, they take the negative route. Just because your friend bought a car, you shouldn't think you are worthless and not good enough.

In conclusion, it is important to note that comparison can also be a positive approach to becoming better versions of ourselves. It can be a source of inspiration and motivation, and at the same time, it can also damage our self perception, preventing us from becoming better versions of ourselves. Instead of taking the negative route, we can learn to compare ourselves to others in a positive and healthy way. This will come in handy for our growth in all areas.

This is my entry to the Inleo monthly prompt. The theme is comparison. “Comparing yourself to others can have an impact on your self perception. Do you think it could be negative or positive?”

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Thanks for reading.