"Comparez-vous à la personne que vous étiez hier, pas à celle que quelqu'un d'autre est aujourd'hui"

When you look at the essence of the quote, it's all about focusing on your own growth rather than getting caught up in the achievements of others. It’s easy, even tempting, to get lost in the comparison game—especially in today’s world where social media makes everyone’s highlights so visible. But the most important thing is to measure your own progress and improvement.

Let's rewind a bit and think about when this idea might have become popular. Jordan Peterson, a Canadian psychologist and professor, often talks about this concept. In his book "12 Rules for Life," he emphasizes the significance of comparing yourself to who you were yesterday. This advice is particularly relevant now because we’re constantly bombarded with images of success, beauty, and wealth that can make us feel inadequate. But the real competition should be with your past self. It's a healthier and more sustainable approach to growth.

Consider the story of John, a software developer who was feeling stuck in his career. He was always comparing himself to his college friend, Sarah. Sarah had a high-paying job at a top tech company, was constantly traveling, and seemed to have it all figured out. John felt like a failure in comparison, even though he had a stable job and was doing fairly well by most standards. One day, he decided to shift his focus. Instead of comparing himself to Sarah, he started comparing himself to his past self. He set small, achievable goals—learning a new programming language, contributing to open-source projects, and even mentoring junior developers. Over time, John saw real progress. He felt more fulfilled and less anxious. By focusing on his own journey, John found a sense of accomplishment and relief.

So, how can you apply this wisdom to your own life? Start by setting personal, achievable goals. They don’t have to be grand or monumental—just things that you can realistically aim for and achieve. Track your progress daily or weekly, and take a moment to reflect on how far you’ve come. Celebrate those small victories. They add up. Remember, it’s about progress, not perfection.

Imagine you’re at a coffee shop, chatting with a friend. Your friend is frustrated because they feel like they’re not getting anywhere with their fitness journey. They’re constantly comparing themselves to fitness influencers on Instagram. You could tell them this: "Hey, why not just focus on what you did yesterday? Did you run a bit longer today? Add a bit more weight? That’s progress. Forget about the influencers. They’re on their own journey, and you’re on yours."

By focusing on your own progress, you’re more likely to stay motivated. It’s all about those small, consistent steps. Think about it like planting a garden. If you keep looking at your neighbor’s garden, you’ll miss the beautiful flowers blooming right in front of you. Water your own plants, tend to your soil, and watch your own garden grow. It might not look like your neighbor’s, but it will be beautiful in its own way.

In the end, life is all about the journey, not the destination. It’s about becoming a better version of yourself, one day at a time. So, the next time you catch yourself falling into the comparison trap, just pause, take a breath, and remember—compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today. You’ve got this.