Comparing Yourself To Others Is Unnecessary Pressure
Are you guilty of comparing yourself or your business to someone else? Aren’t we all?
When you look at things from the outside it’s silly to compare yourself to someone who’s been working online for many years.
It’s unfair to expect to have your website to be all set within a couple of days, especially if you’re doing it yourself. It takes a while to get into a comfortable place with yourself and your business. By making comparisons you put unnecessary pressure on yourself.
If you’ve ever moved into a new home or apartment you know it takes a while to get comfortable in the space and decide how you’d like to decorate it. It may take you years to figure out what color to paint the walls or maybe you’re still sitting on those builder white walls because you’re afraid of making a bad choice or wasting money.
I understand because my walls are still builder white and for some reason I’ve not been able to commit to a color other than beige. I’m sure my renters have done more decorating than I ever did.
When it comes to your website the same rules apply.
The funny thing is you have no idea what has taken place behind the scenes. You don’t know if they’ve outsourced their entire website so they could focus on revenue generating business or if they spent 10 or more hours getting everything “perfect.” And you don’t know how many revisions, tweaks, and updates have taken place during the various stages of their business.
We’ve gone through several different website designs since our first website launch in 2008. I won’t go into that story right now, but you can check it out »here«.
It takes time to get comfortable in your online space, just like your home. And if you’re one of those who completely furnished, painted, and decorated your home within the first 90 days according to exactly what you wanted without any assistance, more power to you. We need your secret:)
But that’s not the norm. For the most part it takes a year or so to adjust to a new home, especially if you are a first time home buyer. When you’re used to living in a dorm or apartment, having a permanent residence takes a while to sink in.
And if you’re single, it may take even more time because you get to make all of the decisions yourself. What type counter tops, flooring? And will it be the same in the master bath as the guest bath? Should your guest bedroom be an office, bedroom, or den? You have all of the choices to make and no deadline because your home is yours.
Your website is similar except there is a deadline. You do want to get things up and running, but there’s no deadline as to when everything is going to be just right for you.
Do you know why? Because things change, your taste changes, and technology is forever changing.
Just a few months ago we weren’t thinking about Google+ and how to incorporate it into our business model. And several years before that we weren’t tweeting anything. The only Tweetie Bird we knew was being chased by Sylvester the cat from the Bugs Bunny cartoon.
It’s a guarantee things will change. When it comes to your website, stand in the now and get what’s required up and running so you can start achieving your business goals and leave the comparisons for shopping.
If you’re just getting started or revamping your website start with the basics use PayPal for your shopping cart and then grow to something else like 1ShoppingCart. When it comes to themes for your WordPress website, if you aren’t able to get a paid theme such as Thesis, go with a free one remembering that you can always change it later. Your website is like the infant bed that grows as your child grows. When things need to be changed at the next level, do so, nothing is etched in stone.
You set the standard for when and where you want to be based on the deadline that you choose for yourself. Move forward at the level you are at and before you know it, you just may be sailing way beyond so and so who you were comparing yourself.
Now it’s your turn. Please share in the comments below, what will you do to stop comparing yourself to others and how will you move forward, quickly, TODAY?
Tiffany,
Thank you for your honesty and transparency I will tell you this article was for me. Isn’t it marvelous how God gives you the answers you need when you need them. I am facing a decision to end a working relationship and one of my holdouts was the income; now I see the light. Thanks again and God Bless.
Yes, it really is. I knew it was for someone because I couldn’t write about anything else and it be meaningful until this one was done. Thank you so much! My pleasure:) Checkout the book Tamarah recommended in the FB comments. It’s right on time too!
Really good Tiffany, I have never looked at that way. But it takes time indeed to have your website the way you like it. Thanks
Thanks so much Olga!
Good points Tiffany, I love the way of growing into it and embrace the change! Thanks for posting!
My pleasure:) Thanks so, so much Solvita!
I love the post and reinforcing the idea that it’s okay to move at my rate of speed and not compare myself to others was an idea that popped in as reading this. Maybe others have more experience, people at home to help, but still I can only be me without comparing myself to others. Thank you Tiffany.
Exactly Carol! Thanks so, so much:)
This is so true, and if we are honest with ourselves we all do this at times. Because we are human we are competitive by nature and want to be number one. However, we are number one, within ourselves. Each of us is unique and bring something to others around us. When we learn to embrace our uniqueness and build on that strength we grow into the beautiful person we were born to be. Thanks for the reminder Tiffany. Great thoughts and guidelines for working in a new environment…online!
Carla
http://CarlaJGardiner.com
Thanks so much Carla! My pleasure:)
Nice message Tiffany. And another area we should not compare, is to ourselves when we were younger and had more energy. Sometimes I get frustrated I can’t remember things the way I used it…. comparing the old me to the younger me. I have to accept me for who I am now and work with it. Hey, I saw some really nice paint colours… if you need an idea I will get it for you. Hugs š
Thanks Elvie! So true. It’s easy to think our bodies are the same as they were 10-20 years ago. Great point:) Thanks so much, I’ll let you know when I’m ready for the paint;)
We often feel like we have to have it all done right now. So important to take the time and grow into as you said.
Thanks so much Lori!
Tiffany, Thank you. I needed this. My website still needs revision, additions, tweaking and I do feel very guilty about not having it the way it should be to make my business flow along. I feel like you’ve given me a reprieve!
Thanks so much Wil! It’s my pleasure. Yes, definitely grace yourself. It takes time to get things just right. The biggest thing is making small adjustments as you move along while promoting your website and what you have to offer. Your growth will inspire someone else.
Great help! Passing this on to all our coaching clients! Thanks!
Thanks so much Michelle! Glad it helped:)
Tiffany,
I LOVE this newsletter/post! So good! Especially the part about our it being like an infant’s bed. It can grow as we grow. This takes some of the pressure off to get everything perfect immediately!
Keep sharing your wisdom with us!
Vondie š
Thanks so much Vondie! Exactly:) And that applies to everything you do. I’m sure you’ve heard what happens when you try to eat a whole elephant…you joke. Small chunks works great:)