We tend to compare ourselves with one another to make sure we are “good” enough. But, is that really a “fair” comparison? I believe that God created each of us as individuals with our own unique strengths, and weaknesses. No two people are the same. Even biological twins have their specific differences.

So, what possible good could come from my comparing myself to my coworker? So what if John is great with numbers and can tell you in two seconds off the top of his head what it takes you five minutes to think through and calculate on paper? You feel that you are the best at coordinating a meeting in your office. The worker in the office next to you is the office expert on Microsoft Excel and the person down the hall is a whiz at using the new software.

Who is the winner? Who is better? The truth is that we can always find someone we feel is “worse” than us and someone we feel is better than us. What do we do with that information? If we feel superior to someone we may think there is no need to strive for excellence and improve. On the other hand, if we encounter someone we consider to be exceptional and so far above what we could ever become, we may think there is no use in trying to be better because we could never be as good as that person.

I encourage you to stop comparing yourself to other people and instead compare yourself with you. You are the only person who is equipped with the strengths to achieve your specific purpose. Most people never reach their full potential. Why not compare where you are today to what you could be?

“As long as I compare myself to other people, I’ll make excuses. When I begin to compare myself to myself, I’ll make progress.” Andy Stanley