“Comparison is the thief of joy.”  Theodore Roosevelt

Today, I want you to heighten your awareness of a specific bad habit–yard-sticking—and try to avoid it!

“Yard-sticking” is the act of comparing yourself to others, particularly people in your own peer group, in a manner that results in feelings of inadequacy or jealousy.

The habit of comparing one’s self to others is as old as time and can be useful when used to keep ourselves on track and self-motivate.

Problems occur when your comparisons begin to make you feel inadequate (especially when it’s something you previously felt fine about!), or you feel jealous.

What’s the difference between envy and jealousy?

Envy is more adaptive–you can use those feelings to strive for better, or simply accept that others have more fortunate circumstances.

Jealousy involves feeling angry and/or resentful toward the person who enjoys more fortunate circumstances.

Your assignment for today is to arm yourself against yard-sticking.

How can you do this?  Gratitude.  What are you thankful for?  In what way(s) do you feel fortunate?  Arm yourself with this information and stay grounded.  For this exercise in gratitude, don’t compare yourself only to others in your peer group–think about your station in life relative to everyone else on this planet.  If you read the books I mentioned in Analysis Paralysis, you will understand when I say that it’s legitimate to be thankful that your feet are warm!

One more tip:

When comparing yourself to others, don’t compare someone else’s most favorable circumstance to one of your least favorable circumstances.

What in your life are you thankful for?