Comparison

I would like to share a quote with you that I heard while listening to an old episode of one of my favorite podcasts, 48 Days To the Work You Love with Dan Miller. I highly recommend it to anyone with a creative or entrepreneurial spirit with a need of some wisdom, guidance and encouragement. 

Here is the quote:
 
"Don't compare your beginning to someone else's middle"


Hmm... comparison. Definitely something a lot of us get caught up in, myself included. I guess I am writing this for me as a helpful reminder. 

The thought pattern could go something like this:
"Oh, that artist is so much more talented than I am."
"This person is so much more accomplished, I will never get to that place in my career."
"He has had such great opportunities, so that could never be possible for me."
"She went to a better school than I did, thus is better at what she does and has better connections. Too bad for me."

I guess I am being brutally honest, mostly with myself, about some of the things that have popped into my head or things I have talked about with friends and colleagues. This trap of comparison just ain't no good for ya! It definitely wont help you when you are struggling to get a start or struggling to get into the studio of yourself to make whatever your art is for you! 

This creative block of comparison will trip you up before you ever make that first small effort of even saying to yourself, 'Hey, I am interested in this, I'm going to get a book on the subject matter to learn more.' If you are stuck in comparison, comparing your humble beginnings to someone else's 20 year practice, you'll pick up that book and say, 'Wow! The photos in here are amazing! My work will never be that good.' So you'll put it back and walk away. 

BUT, if you recognize that temptation to compare for what it is... a little fear factor game show in your head, just let it egg you on to push through instead of succumbing to the fear that is really behind crippling comparison. 

So.... "Don't compare your beginning with someone else's middle"

Just think of what the interviewer will say to you 15 years from now when an article is being published on your work. 

"Tell me, [your name here], how did you get started?"

"Well", you'll respond, "I was influenced and inspired by a lot of others who'd been doing this for a while...."