The Thief

We work in an industry filled with comparisons.  How did you perform last quarter vs. this one? compared to your best-year-ever?  current performance vs. the goals you set in January?   And perhaps toughest of all, we compare ourselves to our peers in the office, in the company, and among the board of Realtors.  Remember, there is that big awards event just after the finish of the year. 


All these comparisons create pressure.  For the competitive types, it's motivational.  For others it's entertaining, and for some it creates a force that leads to negative thinking.  I have always been a score keeper.  Early in life, it became unhealthy - always measuring myself against others and later against goals that often wore me out.  Today, I still like to consider the comparisons, but I like to think I have changed and matured a bit in that area. 


In my yoga practice this week, our teacher reminded us not to consider how we perform in comparison to others in the class.  It's particularly American and athletic to measure how you are doing by monitoring others.  Yoga provides a different matrix: just perform what feels good today. As she continued her instruction, Loretta said, "Comparison is the thief of joy."   One of those truths that makes you go, "hmmmmm."


Comparisons aren't going away in the sales industry, but be sure to give yourself moments to be joyful.  Reflect on what you achieved and experienced today. Celebrate the victories and laugh at the failures.  Keep that thief out of your mind and enjoy the journey.