“Comparison is the thief of joy.”
Except when it encourages you to level up.
Last week I celebrated my friend Geraldine Ree’s accomplishment of hitting “Black Belt” within Thought Leaders Business School. It’s a goal she’s been working toward, doggedly, for more than four years. TLBS has modelled for us both the motivation of celebrating every win for every person in the community. Could we get “comparison-itis”? Sure, but more often we choose to be inspired by the company we keep.
(And an extra bonus? I was in Vancouver when this celebration happened — close enough to Geraldine to be able to congratulate her in person).
Our mutual friend, Claire Gray, has a new book out called Thriving Teams. None other than Amy Edmondson has written the forward. Wow! Cause for jealousy on my part? Perhaps, but I’d rather learn from her moxie. How did she land this endorsement? She asked for it. Could I do that kind of thing? Why not!
While in Vancouver, I also attended Peter Reek’s gathering to celebrate his new book Shift: 7 Mindsets for an Inspired Midlife and it was remarkable. Who has 400 people and 12 excellent speakers at their book launch?! Could I have been envious? Maybe, but instead I chose to be impressed and curious. Being there has already motivated me to up my game.
Part of reimagining your next chapter could involve imagining what might be unleashed if you behaved a bit more like someone you admire. That’s not a reason to have your joy stolen — it’s a call to surround yourself with more role models. I’m grateful for mine.