I’ve done a lot of thinking about our individual paths on this planet. Thinking about my trajectory, where I’ve come, where I’ve been, where I’m going and certainly, where I stack up compared to my peers. Today, I’d like to talk about self actualization.
There are a handful of humans I’ve met in my life that have expressed how things haven’t quite gone their way. And I’m the first to say that not everyone’s lives follow similar paths, in fact they often become better when we follow different paths! However, it’s within the framing of that argument that brings me pause. I’m talking about “I don’t like where I am. Other people seem to have it so easy.”
Look, you’re allowed to vent about what you feel are ‘shortcomings’. You’re allowed to be unhappy in your current station in life. But something that I believe should be more thoughtfully conveyed, is your ability to change those factors.
Framing your shortcomings by outlining another person’s success is neither fair for that person or for you. To say that other people have ‘gotten lucky’ or ‘are naturally better’ than you are, both offers you that lack of accountability, and diminishes that person’s success. They did not get to where they are by chance, and neither will you.
Be accountable for the things you wish were different. Picture it with me: where do you want to be in five years? Then, visualize what you need to do to get there. Are you on track to fulfill your goals? If not, what are you going to do about it?
Comparison is the biggest disservice you can do to yourself and to others. Hold yourself accountable to your goals. Watch your dreams come to life because you made them happen. Show up for yourself, and yourself only.
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love,
ELLE
This also works the opposite way- when we tell people things could be worse, we are asking them to compare themselves to another rather than to mark the path they are on. Great post.
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That is so true. We must be empathetic and realistic in our goals and what we’re willing to do to get there. Thanks for commenting!
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Societal norms can make you feel you should be doing this, or living life in a certain way, living for yourself and working towards your dreams and goals is the only way to fond true contentment. Nice post x
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There is no bigger disservice than comparing yourself to others! There’s no one right path, and certainly many ways to get there. Thanks for commenting!
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Yes, be your own person and follow your own path. Have a great day x
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Good advice. Successful people don’t get there by accident.
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And we can all get there too, if we put in the work! Thanks for commenting.
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Fab, thank you. And remember that if you can’t follow your dream yet, you can start to take tentative steps in that direction eg if you can’t yet move to France you could start to learn French.
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Absolutely! It’s all about the self-awareness of where you are, and what it will take to get where you want to be. Thanks for commenting.
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Good
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Loved reading it!
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