Comparison is the Thief of Joy: An Athlete's Perspective
“Comparison is the Thief of Joy.” A reminder I have written on canvas that hangs in my kitchen to remind me of a thought that is so fleeting in today’s world of comparison.
For athletes, comparisons are prevalent and available all around us. There are comparisons with teammates, other genders, other sports teams, other schools we compete against. Questions loom of where the differences lie or why they are there, and thoughts of self-defeat through this comparison is something all athletes have participated in.
Although some may argue that the comparison may drive athletes into a further competitive mindset, getting caught up in the comparison can be detrimental to performance. Finding a balance between striving to be the best while also accepting weaknesses and changing mindsets is the key to success not only in athletics, but in future careers and life beyond that.
What would it be like if when looking in the mirror and instead of focusing on aspects seemingly negative, we focused on the positive? What if perspectives could shift and the minute a negative thought arose affirming a weakness, we found the ability to love that part of ourselves instead?
This shift in perspective can be the key to success because it is then and only then, when we accept ourselves and our gift fully that we will utilize them, repurpose them, in every part of our lives. We will no longer have room to compare characteristics to those of others, because we will choose to see light in all talents and will realize collaboration with others and their traits is more necessary and successful than comparison.
I have come up with three daily reminders to commit yourself to each day in order to shift your perspective.
Take a minute to give some credit to aspects you don’t necessarily like about yourself. If you constantly find yourself criticizing your legs, take a moment and admire the fact that your legs strengthen you, lifting you up and allowing you to compete at your peak. If you are frustrated with your inability to ease your nervousness before competition, take a moment to embrace this nervousness because it shows how much you care (you will probably find this acceptance will in turn actually ease your mind).
Stay present in each moment. When you find your mind wandering or thinking of a million things you have to do or have to be in order to make life go smoothly, halt these thoughts. Become present in the here and now—breathe and take in what’s around you. Meditate for a moment, (or if you have time even go take a yoga class!) You can’t imagine how refreshing and necessary taking a few extra minutes each day to do this will be. Especially to those still participating in college athletics—enjoying every minute of it is key. Take it from a senior halfway through her senior year and season, I am playing the best I have yet to play my entire college career by participating in staying present in each moment doing what I love to do—compete.
Remember are these three words: “Life goes on.” If someone scores a point against you, you aren’t going to sit there and complain are you? No, you get up and know that’s part of the game. This athletic ability parallels how we should take on our careers and live out our lives. Your boss is going to yell at you for something you didn't do, or your future spouse may forget about dinner plans you made weeks in advance. You're going to have to channel your frustrations, shift your perspective and move on. When we can surrender, trust the bigger picture and know that life will always be there even after it knocks us down (possibly with the addition of a lesson or two learned along the way) we can accept this and be comforted by the fact that life truly does go on.
It is so important to remember that everyone carries their own skill sets, their own talents. Perhaps, though, we are missing out on sharing these unique qualities and gifts with our team—with the world—because we are clouding them with our negative thoughts. Shifting our perspective in these simple ways each day could be the new ticket to success. No one is perfect, but comparison causes us to fail to realize our full contribution to this world. Try to remember these three simple things throughout the day, and shine your light on those around you. Everyone has amazing contributions to bring to the table, I am calling you to collaborate and fill in the gaps rather than wasting talents wishing they were that of someone else's.
xx
Mackenzie
