The Perils Of Comparison (By Tim Connor)

I can't tell you how many people I have met during my world travels when only after a few minutes of conversation they started comparing themselves to someone or something else. A competitor, a celebrity, a fellow employee or even someone they didn't even know.

Why do we need personal validation by comparison? Why do we need to feel better or worthier than others? And why can't we accept who we are, what we have accomplished, our flaws and mistakes, our failures and disappointments without the ego's need to compare and look better than others?

As a global speaker for many years I have observed this trait is especially true of many people in my profession, but believe me - we are not unique. I can't tell you how many business people I have met who have to tell some story about who they are better than, smarter than and/or more accomplished than others they know and even those they don't know in some way.

Trust me - you don't have to be the smartest, best looking, wealthiest or most famous person in the room to feel good about yourself. So why are so many people stuck in this comparison mode whether subtly or overtly "in your face"? 

Not to brag here (that is not my intent) but I want to make a simple statement - during my career as an international bestselling author (over 80 books) and a global speaker (25 countries) my intent and goal was never fame and let me state that I have been very successful in achieving this goal. Go ahead laugh.

Life is not about what others think of you or you think of others. And if it is - trust me you will never find contentment, inner peace or happiness because there will always be someone out there smarter, better and wealthier etc. than you in some way - always!

Have you ever noticed that when people generally compare themselves to others they either use someone less successful or someone who they can criticize whether this person deserves it or not?

I can also tell you that many of my heroes - to mention just a few - Og Mandino, Mark Twain, Will Rogers, Jesus, Winston Churchill, Mother Teresa and Charlie Tremendous Jones - comparison was not in their DNA.

What they all had in common was the humility and the desire to contribute in their own special way to the value of humanity and life in general.

Let me ask you - have you ever compared yourself to others to try and convince yourself that you were better in some way or just to make yourself feel OK about yourself? Come on - be honest here.

Why do we need to compare? Is it insecurity, an overcharged ego, the need for approval, the desire to please or simply the fact that we can't admit that we all have flaws and/or weaknesses in our thoughts, actions, decisions and behaviors in some way?

I challenge you for the next couple of weeks as you talk with others to observe their comparisons or your own during conversations and then ask yourself - why? Why do I need to do this? Why do they need to do this? Try it you will be amazed at how frequently we are all guilty of this simple yet rather stupid trait. Stupid you say Tim? Yep, cause what do you think you really accomplish with all of these comparisons?

More or less respect? More or less fame? More or less self-satisfaction? More or less something_______? Sorry!

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Perils-Of-Comparison&id=9865687

8 Ways To Simplify Your Life (And Make It Healthier, Too!)

  

Luckily, simplifying your life doesn't have to be complicated. Here, eight smart streamlining solutions that will leave you happier and healthier — proof that sometimes less really is more.

1. Cook a batch of your favorite soup on Sunday to last throughout the week.

In the chill of winter, nothing hits the spot quite like a bowl of hot soup — especially when it means you don't have to worry about cooking for the rest of the week. This one-pot meal makes it easy to fill up on veggies and — thanks to its high water content — leaves you feeling fuller longer, so you're less likely to overindulge later. Stick with broth-based versions for a hassle-free week-night meal that's high in nutrition and low in calories.

2. Choose one designated spot for always-lost items.

Mornings start out pleasant enough — a fresh shower, a hot cup of coffee — but can quickly turn chaotic in a search for missing keys, wallets and more. Pick one place (say, an accent tray or colorful ceramic bowl) to stash frequently forgotten items like keys, sunglasses and pocketbooks. Your entry table will score a pretty new accessory, and you'll bring order back to your mornings. Everybody wins!

3. Quit comparing yourself to others on social media.

Thanks to Instagram and Facebook, you're always informed of who nabbed a new promotion, who bought their dream home, who snagged the biggest engagement ring and which island your jet-setting friend is vacationing to next. Don't let these perfectly filtered photos leave you second-guessing your own accomplishments. (Come on, nobody's life is that perfect.) Next time you're tempted to keep up with the Joneses, refocus your energy on your own dreams.

4. Save full makeup for special occasions.

Wish you had an extra 20 minutes a day? Minimize your makeup routine. Pick two can't-live-without-them cosmetics, such as mascara and tinted lip balm, then save your full-face makeup for special events like date nights and parties. Not only will it save you time and money, but your skin will also appreciate the breather.

5. Donate clothes that you have not worn for over a year.

Give old clothes new life by donating them to a non-profit whose work you admire. Not sure which pieces to part with? Turn all your hangers around backward. When you wear something, hang it back normally. Anything that's still facing backward by the end of the year goes in the give away pile.

6. Streamline your daily vitamin regimen.

Vitamins are a great way to fill gaps in your diet and ensure lifelong wellness. The trouble is, you often need to several different supplements to get the nutrients you need — and that's assuming you remember to take them all at the right time.Smarty Pants' adult fiber vitamin is the first and only vitamin to combine a full multivitamin, omega-3s, fiber and Vitamin D in one nutrient-dense, gluten-free gummy. Their vitamins are made with organic and natural sweeteners — no high fructose corn syrup. Bonus: For every bottle you buy, Smartypants makes a vitamin grant to Vitamin Angels, a nonprofit that delivers vitamins to undernourished children in the US and abroad.

7. Start your day off with an easy-to-make smoothie.

Rushed mornings are no excuse to skip the most important meal of the day. Smoothies are a fast, portable way to get the healthy vitamins and minerals you need to power you through your morning meetings and beyond. For a yummy green smoothie, toss spinach or kale into a blender with pineapple and plain yogurt. Prefer salty over sweet? Mix plain Greek yogurt with almond butter and half a banana for a protein-packed AM shake.

8. Keep all your obligations written in one place.

If you're prone to record notes and appointments on scraps of paper, napkins or even the palm of your hand, find one central location to consolidate your scribbles. Shoving all your lists into one envelope or box will insure you don't lose track of your to-dos. Even better: Compile all your notes into one master document at the end of each day.

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-17004/8-ways-to-simplify-your-life-and-make-it-healthier-too.html