Just went for a bike ride and it was AWESOME. 
I biked up a big hill, barely making it to the top. I enjoyed the view and, while biking down the hill, took my time so I wouldn’t feel as though I was at risk of breaking my neck. I rode by a huge nursery I’d never noticed before, and even caught a glimpse of a bunny rabbit hopping across the road.
I felt so strong and capable and happy. So different from another recent bike ride where I felt weak, frustrated, and exhausted.
What was the difference? Comparison.
You see, on my energizing ride, I was on my own, creating my own experience based on my own strengths and goals.
The frustrating ride? I was riding with someone else with totally different strengths and goals. I compared myself to them the whole time, trying to keep up and feeling like I was falling short the entire time.
Think of it – two nearly identical bike rides, but one felt like a success and one felt like a failure. Comparing myself to someone else changed my entire experience.
If you’re feeling frustrated, I encourage you to check in with yourself, and see if any comparing is going on. Trust your abilities, forge your unique path to success, and enjoy the ride!
Totally true!! I have experienced this before as well. It is easy to see the difference when the activity is physical in nature. When I go horseback riding or hiking alone or with a friend of similar experience, I find it more fun than when with someone who I consider better or more accomplished than I am. However, it is not as apparent when I am involved in something “non-physical” such as speaking, teaching, sales or even accounting! I find myself losing my self-confidence if I know there are people who I “think” may have more knowledge or expertise in the area where I am attempting to participate. When I am comparing my worst to their best (mentally) then I feel crummy.So comparing needs to be “right out!” since it only leads to discouragement and unpleasant feelings.
Thanks Mary for highlighting this important concept!
Glad it struck a chord!
This is sooo great, and why I nearly always ride alone. Besides which, having a writing deadline for Monday, I missed the annual “Ride of Silence” last night and wanted to make up for it by riding hard today and thinking of lost and injured bicyclists.
Glad you’re out celebrating National Bike Month and “Bike to Work Week”; although for us telecommuters, it means biking to somewhere, then back to our workplace (home).
Keep your wheels moving forward; comparison’s always a sideways or backwards glance!
I had no idea it was National Bike Month! I must just be in the zone…