Never Measure Yourself by Someone Else’s Achievements

Photo By Mika Baumeister on Unsplash

Never measure yourself based on someone else’s achievements. We may have admired someone before, or perhaps felt a bit envious of the success others have achieved. Personally, I don’t entirely say that’s wrong. In some situations, it can actually be a good thing—as long as it motivates us to become better.

So, what really drives us when we feel that way? For instance, many of my students are amazed by their peers’ achievements. Once again, I emphasize—admiring someone is not wrong, especially when it comes to appreciating their success.

However, don’t let it turn into this: instead of feeling proud and inspired by someone’s accomplishments, we end up feeling envious, frustrated, and defeated. Thoughts like, “Maybe they are just naturally talented, and I’m not,” begin to arise.

If you’ve ever felt that way, hopefully, the explanation below can help bring back some clarity.

Talent in Achievements

Talking about talent really requires deeper analysis. Is talent something you’re born with? Is it a gift from God given only to certain people? Or does talent emerge because of the environment and stimulation we receive long before we grow? And so on.

If we believe that talent is everything, I’m certain we’ll become people who give up easily. Everything will feel limited by what we think we don’t have.

There’s something we often forget when we admire someone for their achievements: **the process**.

There’s a saying, “Progress, not perfection.”
Then comes the question “How does that work?”
The point is, we shouldn’t just admire someone and stop there with praise and compliments.

Start thinking about how they got to where they are and how long they struggled to reach that point. What have they done? What sacrifices have they made? In this case, I’d say stalking is allowed. (But hey, don’t just stalk your ex. Haha.

And even if we say someone is ideal and excelling in their field, that doesn’t mean we must also be perfect in the same field. Instead, start thinking about what field you want to give your maximum effort to—where you can truly fight and give your best.

And if it turns out their field is the same one you’re aiming for, still, never make their achievements your standard of success.

Remember, everyone was created under different circumstances and conditions. Focus on your own process, not the result. As long as we’re giving our best and constantly moving forward, keep fueling that spirit without worrying about who’s ahead or behind us.

Compare your own pace today with your pace yesterday. I truly believe that, one day, we’ll realize that all the struggles we’ve been through weren’t in vain.

I was once reminded by a friend about this idea of “time zones.” Never compare your abilities and achievements with someone else’s “time zone.” Here’s what that means, Some people get married at 30, others at 20.

Some become CEOs at 17, others at 20. And let’s not forget, the founder of KFC succeeded in his 60s.
Does a different speed mean failure? Of course not.

Conclusion

The point is, whatever we did yesterday must be reviewed today. Have we truly given our best? Can we do even more tomorrow? Stay focused on the process, not just the outcome.

When you see someone who’s already successful at a younger age, that’s your cue to start *today*. Don’t delay any longer, or you’ll just fall further behind.

Remember, while we might already feel like we’re working hard, out there, there are people pushing themselves even harder with better resources and opportunities.

So is there still a chance for us? Of course, there is!
Fight even harder, observe how successful people strive, and do more than you thought you could—within your own capabilities.

Push your limit.
(Currently on the journey of guiding students to participate in a web design competition at UGM. Please pray for us to achieve the best possible results.)

That’s the article I wanted to share through Mangcoding. Hopefully, this article is helpful and brings you new insights. If you have any constructive feedback or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment or contact us through Mangcoding’s email and social media.