Last week, I wrote about the dangers of comparisons and got some great discussion going both here and on Twitter. Comparing yourself to others can be frustrating and demoralizing. Ultimately, no fruit comes from holding yourself up to the standards or successes of others. However, on the flipside (and there is always a flipside) there are some things that can certainly be gained by looking at the examples of others. Finding solid examples in areas where we are personally lacking can be a great way to build momentum for successes of our own.
Seek out Successful Examples:
Examples Inspire: They show us what is possible. I would never have even become interested in fitness in the first place if I did not first become inspired by other healthy examples in my life. Without knowing that losing a lot of weight was actually possible, I never would have been able to lose the weight that I did. Primarily because I would have thought it was completely out of my reach. Healthy weight-loss examples showed me that others have had success. Therefore I knew that I could do it too.
Examples Teach: They show us what to do. Following practical examples are one of the best ways that we can learn from others. I have learned more about how to eat right and exercise from watching the success of other people than I ever could from reading text books about nutrition. Find people that have experienced the victories that you want to see in your own life and follow their lead.
Examples Motivate: They get us off our butts. Personally, there is nothing more motivating than a real life success story. Watching another person make progress on their fitness goals is thrilling to me and pushes me to work just as hard. Knowing that every success story had to start somewhere can really help remove self-defeating attitudes. What you want to achieve is possible. It has been done before and it will be done again.
Refuse to compare yourself to others by focusing on your inadequacies. Instead, look for examples of what is possible and follow them. Health and fitness is by no means a “zero sum” game. Looking for successes and following those who have been there is the best way to get there yourself.
(photo by jonrawlinson)
