Breaking Free from the Comparison Trap:
20 Choices to Reclaim Your Life
It’s that time of year again—social media is buzzing with highlight reels. Promotions, vacations, family milestones, and big wins are everywhere. While it’s wonderful to see others celebrating, let’s be honest: have you ever found yourself comparing their best moments to your everyday life?
I’ll admit, I’ve fallen into this trap too. It’s easy to compare ourselves to others when we’re constantly inundated with their successes. But here’s the thing: comparison steals joy. It distracts us from our own unique path and blinds us to the growth, progress, and wins in our own lives.
Shifting the Focus
A few years ago, I made a decision to stop focusing on “stuff” or external validation. My worth isn’t defined by possessions, titles, or social media likes. Instead, I’ve committed to aligning my life with choices that reflect my values, beliefs, and purpose.
In this season of highlight reels, I want to challenge you to do the same. Let’s stop measuring ourselves against others and start focusing on the choices that truly matter—the ones that build a meaningful and fulfilling life.
20 Choices That Can Change Your Life
Inspired by Eric Plasker’s work, I’ve adopted these 20 intentional choices to help me stay grounded, especially when comparison creeps in:
The Power of Choice
The beauty of life is that every day, we get to choose how we show up. Will you spend your time comparing yourself to others, or will you take action to create the life you want?
When we focus inward—on our values, our growth, and the relationships that matter—we find a sense of peace and purpose that no social media post can take away.
Make the Shift
So the next time you find yourself scrolling through someone else’s highlight reel, stop and ask yourself:
- What’s one small choice I can make today that aligns with my purpose?
- What am I grateful for in my own journey?
Comparison may be tempting, but it doesn’t define you. What defines you are the choices you make each day to live with intention, lead with courage, and focus on what matters most.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re ready to shift from comparison to fulfillment, let’s work together. My Executive Leadership Coaching Program is designed to help you build a life plan rooted in achievement and purpose. It’s time to reclaim your life and make choices that align with your highest potential.
Make the change today!
— Steve
As a master storyteller, Steve has unparalleled ability to communicate dynamic business and leadership truths through stories, anecdotes and humor. Harness the power of the “number one” predictor of professional success, impact, leadership, high performance and sustainable relationships in business and life. Steve’s highest rated keynote presentation.
To book Steve today, contact Michelle Joyce!
(For information on keynote presentations, team workshops, and one on one coaching.)
“The purpose of Leadership Quest is to help professionals develop their personal leadership, vision and emotional intelligence. Everyday I strive to help leaders and teams achieve their desired goals in sales productivity, leadership, time maximization, and life-balance. ”
About the Author
Steve Gutzler is the President of Leadership Quest, a Seattle-based leadership development company. Steve is a dynamic, highly-sought-after speaker who has delivered more than 2,500 presentations to a list of clients including Microsoft, Starbucks, the Seattle Seahawks, Pandora Radio, Boeing, Cisco, Starwood Corporation, the Ritz Carlton group, and the U.S. Social Security Administration. He recently was voted #1 by the readership of Huffington Post as the Most Inspirational Leader on Social Media.
A published author on leadership and emotional intelligence, Steve resides near Seattle with his wife Julie where they enjoy time with their three adult children and six grandchildren.
