Stop Minimizing Your Accomplishments

Go, you!

Hello, world! I have a couple of questions for you. Do you ever feel like you’re just not doing as “good” in life as other people are? Is it difficult for you to think about what your biggest accomplishments in life are? Well, you’re not alone.

We tend to go about our lives while constantly comparing ourselves with others. So much so that when we see a person achieving a personal goal, we often subconsciously compare it with what we ourselves have been able to achieve. This comparison can occur in terms of academics, creativity, jobs, huge life milestones, or even small aspects of daily life. We do this all the while having no idea about that person’s life and what circumstances have lead them to their accomplishments; everyone has such wildly different backgrounds, access to opportunities, and mindsets. How could we possibly compare ourselves to another person?

So, as we live with this misguided perception that our lives are comparable to others, we form a blind spot—this spot contains any personal achievements that do not reach the level of our unrealistic standards. These achievements are practically begging for self-recognition and often wither away due to the lack of attention that we give them. We are left with a minimized understanding of our capabilities and live our lives while constantly tormenting ourselves for seemingly not working as hard or being as “gifted” as another person that has nothing to do with us.

If you were to look at your life from a bird’s eye view, without thinking about what other peoples’ lives entail, what would you see? You would see your unique circumstances and you would be able to see your accomplishments in a clearer light. If we were to examine our lives with a non-judgemental eye, we would not only understand our particular situations, but respect them as well. We would be able to unpack the countless achievements that we have made despite the struggles that we have faced. When we recognize and value our achievements, we bring them to life and, in effect, fuel our self-confidence. Knowing what you’ve been capable of doing in the past reminds you of the unwavering capacity for goal-achieving, creation, and growth that is inherent in you. Achievements are not to be measured against others, but against our own circumstances. Your business is your business for a reason, so mind it! Celebrate you.