Comparison

Ok, so maybe comparison is allowed here.  However...

Comparison is the death of all joy. Think about it. You go car shopping, you find the vehicle that is just perfect for you, and it fits your budget. You drive happily off the lot, soaking in the new car smell, when you pull up to the red light. A car pulls up to your left, and it's that shiny Aston Martin you've been seeing around town. Meanwhile, passing through the intersection in front of you is a brand new Lamborghini, the one that costs more than your net worth (and probably more than the GDP of half the countries of the world!). Suddenly that super happy feeling you had just moments ago is gone.

We do this in all aspects of life, and I see it in the gym all the time. I've never met anyone who was totally satisfied with their physical appearance. "I wish I had her butt." "I wish I had arms like that guy." "If I could only have her abs." "If I could just run as fast as him." If you're a professional athlete, then yes, you may have to compare yourself to others in order to gain a competitive advantage. But for most of us, we spend our lives comparing our accomplishments to others, who in turn do the same. All the while never taking true pride in what we have attained, and feeling like nothing will ever be good enough. We all need to remember where we started, and have a realistic view of not only what we have accomplished, but of what's possible as well. All the training in the world will never make me as fast as Usain Bolt (I know, shocking revelation), but I can certainly improve my OWN speed, and compare it to the only person it really matters to...ME.

Live YOUR life. There's nothing wrong with not being satisfied in your current situation, but set your goals for YOU, not to match someone else.


THE Fitness Ninja-Solving the world's problems one pushup at a time.