t because we keep comparing our behind-the-scenes to everyone else's highlight reel.

You scroll through social media and see someone crushing their fitness goals. Another person just launched their dream business. Someone else is living the lifestyle you've been working toward for years. And suddenly, your own progress feels... insignificant.

Sound familiar? You're caught in the comparison trap, and it's silently killing your motivation.

I've fallen into this trap more times than I'd like to admit.

When I relaunched my YouTube channel, I had to stay consistent for months before I saw real results. I'd watch other creators post a video and instantly get thousands of views, and I'd wonder what that felt like. Meanwhile, I was celebrating 50 views.

But there's another side to my comparison story that goes deeper. Throughout my entire life, I've dealt with challenges that others seemingly don't face. Because of my disability, certain actions require significantly more effort from me than they do for most people. I've spent too many hours wondering where I'd be if I weren't disabled. I still catch myself daydreaming about a disability-free life, imagining how I'd approach my goals if I had full function of my body.

Here's what I've learned: we all carry challenges that feel uniquely heavy to us. A working parent faces different obstacles than a single person with no kids. Someone without connections navigates a different path than someone with a powerful network. We all have economic constraints, time limitations, and personal struggles that others can't always see.

When someone sets a new goal, they're envisioning a future version of themselves—a stronger body, financial freedom, a better life for their kids. Looking at others who've achieved similar goals can be incredibly motivating. It shows us what's possible.

But here's where comparison becomes dangerous: the destination can seem impossibly far away.

If you start working out, you can't compare your results to someone who's been training for years or even decades. If you're breaking into a new industry, you can't measure yourself against seasoned professionals who've spent 20 years building their expertise.

President Theodore Roosevelt said, "Comparison is the thief of joy." But comparison doesn't just steal joy—it murders motivation.

Why? Because comparison fixates on what we don't have. We don't have enough connections. We don't have enough time. We don't have enough knowledge. When we look at successful people, it's easy to think, "Well, it's easier for them." And sometimes? That's partially true.

If Oprah wanted to start a YouTube channel tomorrow, she'd be monetized instantly. But people miss the critical context: she has decades of experience and has already built a massive platform. She didn't start where she is now—nobody does.

We all start from different starting lines, and no two starting lines are identical. Countless factors determine where you begin. Some things genuinely are easier for certain people. For me, writing has always felt natural—it's enjoyable, even cathartic. For others, writing is torture. I find speaking exciting and invigorating. For some people, public speaking feels like being trapped in a room with a dozen spiders.

So what's the answer?

Focus on what you need to do every day to advance your goals. Focus on the process of getting there, not how far behind you think you are.

Comparison becomes a distraction. It pulls your attention away from doing the actual work. It whispers in your ear about everything you lack instead of reminding you of what you can control.

But here's the smart way to use comparison:

Compare the work, not the results.

If you find people to look up to—not just for their achievements, but for how they approach their goals—comparison becomes a powerful tool. Ask yourself:

• What are they doing that I'm not?
• Who are they collaborating with that I haven't considered?
• What do they focus on compared to what I focus on?

These questions transform comparison from a motivation killer into a strategic advantage.

Remember: everyone, no matter how successful, has unique challenges you can or cannot see. Stop measuring your Chapter 1 against someone else's Chapter 20.

The real competition isn't with others—it's with the person you were yesterday. Focus on your process, use comparison strategically to learn from others' approaches, and trust that your starting line doesn't determine your finish line.