One of Hunter's writing assignments last week was to compare and contrast two things that were similar and then write about it.
As I was sitting there with him it occurred to me that I do this in my head- a lot. I compare/contrast myself with others who are in the painting biz. My business is young, and although I stay pretty busy- I find myself comparing myself to much more established painters/business owners. Why do I do that?
I think it's partly just human nature. Is it that if we didn't look around at what others were doing, we wouldn't have anything to measure our own success with? Or maybe it's just the way we are programmed from years of reading success ladders posted in grade school or gold stars on display? Who knows? All I know is that I tend to compare and contrast myself with others- and with Pinterest and blogs waving perfection like a banner there is so much pretty perfection out there to compare ourselves with!
I see other bloggers doing things I'd love to do- and I am happy for them, genuinely I am. I know that some folks have more time to put into their blogs/businesses and that hard work pays off. I blog when I can, which with kids, being a homeschool mom, teacher, and painter is sporadic at best! I don't have time to do all the social media and technical blog stuff that some bloggers do. I don't advertise or put advertising on my blog- I keep things pretty simple, because really it's all I have time for!
My business has grown this year. I take a job a week and am booked up through the end of the year. Word of mouth seems to be my best form of advertising, and I love how the domino effect works and all the interesting people I meet because of it. I have to remind myself that my business is a "just right" size for me right now. My kids are teens, but really need me around- and I am lucky to be able to do just that. Hunter's education takes priority over working, and I have had so much fun getting to know him as a learner.
I think the answer to this is to look back and compare/contrast me now to me a year ago. To focus on individual growth and not how I compare to others growth. Easy to say, harder to implement- but a reminder now and then is a good thing.
As I was sitting there with him it occurred to me that I do this in my head- a lot. I compare/contrast myself with others who are in the painting biz. My business is young, and although I stay pretty busy- I find myself comparing myself to much more established painters/business owners. Why do I do that?
I think it's partly just human nature. Is it that if we didn't look around at what others were doing, we wouldn't have anything to measure our own success with? Or maybe it's just the way we are programmed from years of reading success ladders posted in grade school or gold stars on display? Who knows? All I know is that I tend to compare and contrast myself with others- and with Pinterest and blogs waving perfection like a banner there is so much pretty perfection out there to compare ourselves with!
I see other bloggers doing things I'd love to do- and I am happy for them, genuinely I am. I know that some folks have more time to put into their blogs/businesses and that hard work pays off. I blog when I can, which with kids, being a homeschool mom, teacher, and painter is sporadic at best! I don't have time to do all the social media and technical blog stuff that some bloggers do. I don't advertise or put advertising on my blog- I keep things pretty simple, because really it's all I have time for!
My business has grown this year. I take a job a week and am booked up through the end of the year. Word of mouth seems to be my best form of advertising, and I love how the domino effect works and all the interesting people I meet because of it. I have to remind myself that my business is a "just right" size for me right now. My kids are teens, but really need me around- and I am lucky to be able to do just that. Hunter's education takes priority over working, and I have had so much fun getting to know him as a learner.
I think the answer to this is to look back and compare/contrast me now to me a year ago. To focus on individual growth and not how I compare to others growth. Easy to say, harder to implement- but a reminder now and then is a good thing.
It is hard not to compare ourselves to other people in our industry. I find myself doing that all the time. Like you, I don't advertise on my blog. However, I have done some Facebook advertising. The thing is we need to do what works best in our own individual situations. It's okay to compare, as long as you aren't beating yourself up for not meeting a standard that isn't right for you.
ReplyDeleteSo true! My husband pointed that out to me the other day- I am homeschooling our son and that alone is a full time job! I cannot compare my business to someone else's since right now working one job a week is ideal for our family ;)
DeleteWhen you begin to compare yourself to others, turn off that voice!! You are exactly where you are supposed to be in life's journey. Your blog is my FAVORITE for the exact reasons you described! I don't care if you blog every other day or once a week - your blog is genuine. I'm not interested in a meaning less rambling just to fill a daily quota. Nor do I like the advertisements. Keep up your FANTASTIC work.
ReplyDeleteJean
Jean- That was lovely! Thank you for your beautiful words and I am so glad that you read this little ol blog :)
DeleteI find myself comparing/contrasting myself and my home with other bloggers. I do think it is a common thing we do, but I also find myself accepting my own style.
ReplyDeleteI am in love with that long low dresser you painted.
I love the "accepting my own style" thing! Yep....embrace what makes you "YOU" ;)
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