In the last few weeks I’ve had an influx of calls with aspiring online teachers and coaches who have been struggling with the ‘time-is-running-out’ syndrome. You know that pesky little syndrome that comes with comparing yourself to other coaches? It can be incredibly hard to stay positive and motivated when you see so many coaches rising up around you with seemingly little effort. You’re hanging out on social media in Facebook groups and on Instagram busting your butt on the daily but stuff is just happening for you a little slower than the gal next to you. Trust me, I hear ya!
Comparing yourself to others coaches and teachers can be a slippery slope. It’s easy for other people to amplify their success in a way that hides the struggles they may have endured to get there and it’s also easy to imagine that you may just never get there.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. The fact that you’re even reading this blog post tells me that you are one determined gal who is determined to better herself for the sake of her happiness and success.
I’m no stranger to the comparison game so here are some of my suggestions on how to get over comparing yourself to other coaches so that you can keep moving forward.
Recognize that there is more than meets the eye.
One of the first things to remember is that it takes time to build a brand and online business. You’re going to see people all over the internet sharing their overnight success stories but what many fail to mention is the years of preparation and failures they experienced before the success.
I am a big fan of a business coach who for years told the story that she went from 0 to 6 figures in the first three months of her business. She later clarified that it had actually been a long time of preparation and hustling on the side of a full-time corporate job before she stepped out and made six figures in the first three months of going full-time in her business. Big distinction there! So sure, be inspired by the stories but don’t allow them to be the standard by which you measure your success.
Stay in your lane.
Stop being so nosy! The reality is that most of us spend too much time watching and worrying about what other people are doing. You have work to do, people to serve and money to make, and you can’t do all that when you’re so busy focused on what the coach next door to you is doing. One sure fire way to stop comparing yourself to other coaches is to simply drown out the noise.
Remove yourself from online groups that leave you feeling drained, un-follow people on social media who don’t inspire you and just focus on you. While I’m not suggesting that you cut yourself off from the world to avoid feeling jealous I do think it’s worth eliminating distractions while you grow your business.
Celebrate your peers.
Nothing heals a little comparison syndrome like celebration. Instead of comparing yourself to other coaches why not focus on celebrating their success? After all, if your peer is able to experience success then it shouldn’t be too long before you do to! When we focus on celebration not only do we eliminate the curse of jealousy but we also make way for miracles to show up in our own life. Congratulate your colleagues, peers and mentors for the success they’re experiencing and realize that their success has little to do with your own journey.
Trust in divine timing.
Everything is always working out for you! I can’t stress this point enough. Comparing yourself to other coaches is a sure-fire sign that you’re stuck in a fear-based story. If you’re finding that it’s hard not to compare yourself to others then take a deep look at what’s really going on for you.
Are you fearful of failing or that your business will never generate the type of income you hope for? Do you really believe that you’re capable of success? Are you telling yourself a false story that you’re “running out of time”? What other stories are you telling yourself that might be holding you back from stepping into your fullness and claiming you success? Write them down and then tear up the page! These stories do not serve you.
Recognize that building a brand and business is takes times and that everything will work out for you in exactly the right amount and timing as it should. Stay strong and faithful to your mission. You got this!
