Have you ever noticed how quickly we can go from “She’s doing amazing” to “I’m clearly behind”?
You’re not alone. We are masters at scanning for what’s wrong—in our patients, our charts, our coworkers—and yes, in ourselves.
But what if comparison isn’t a flawed thinking?
What if it’s a tool?
You can use comparison to help you find solutions. Let’s talk about how.
THE TRAP: COMPARE & DESPAIR
You scroll social media. A former classmate just ran a marathon.
Your coworker finishes charting with 20 minutes left in her shift.
Someone you used to work with is now in a job that seems down right dreamy.
And the thoughts roll in:
- I could never do that.
- I’m too behind.
- What does she have that I don’t?
The compare-and-despair loop can shut us down.
THE SHIFT: COMPARE & DISCOVER
Instead of shutting down, what if you got curious?
What if the very thing that triggered your frustration could lead you to your next step?
Consider:
- If she can do it, then I can too.
- How do I *think* she made it happen?
- What is she doing that I am not yet doing? (What’s in the gap between where I am and where she is?)
- What is one small thing I can start doing today?
This isn’t about copying someone else’s life. It’s about observing what works for her and trying it on for yourself.
WHY THIS WORKS (A LITTLE NEUROSCIENCE FOR YOU)
Your brain loves evidence. It thrives on proof.
So when you see someone doing something you want to do, your brain immediately takes notice—but if you don’t give it direction, it defaults to self-criticism.
Instead, you can train it to look for strategy, not shame.
- What are they doing that’s working?
- What mindset might they be practicing?
- How do they talk to themselves when they fall short?
REAL-WORLD EXAMPLES
- You notice a nurse who always seems calm, even during chaos. Instead of thinking “I’m a mess,” ask: What does she do differently? Does she pause and breathe before delegating? Does she prep her space a certain way?
- You see a tech who finishes their tasks on time every day. Instead of assuming they’re just faster, observe their process. Do they batch tasks? Do they avoid distractions?
- You watch a colleague speak up in a meeting with clarity and confidence. What are they saying yes to behind the scenes that gives them that energy?
TRY THIS: YOUR MINI JOURNAL PROMPT
This week, when you catch yourself comparing, ask:
- What (or who) am I admiring?
- What do I think they’re doing that I’m not?
- Is there one thing I could try on for size?
- What’s one baby step I can take today to move in that direction?
THE TAKEAWAY:
Comparison isn’t your enemy.
It’s a flashlight.
You can use it to shine a light on possibilities you hadn’t even considered. It’s not about feeling behind. It’s about finding your next right step.
This is the creative process of designing a life you love—not by guessing, but by noticing what resonates and adapting it to fit you.
READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
If you’re a Logan Health employee, you can use your coaching benefits to get support on exactly this kind of shift. I can help you sort out the overwhelm and find what actually works for you. Click here to book a LHW coaching session (for our first session together, we’ll discuss what coaching is & isn’t, what sort of support you might be looking for, and how I can help.
If you’re not a Logan employee, you can still work with me. I offer complimentary consults to see if coaching is the right next step for you. Click here to book a consult.