Hey Reader,
I don't know about you, but when I scroll LinkedIn and see the cOol kIdS clUb getting recognition for their ChatGPT-written posts, I just want to give up.
If you're anything like me, comparison actually is the thief of joy.
"I work at a small agency. I must not be as good as the person who works at [COMPANY HERE]."
"They only got to speak at SXSW because they work at [COMPANY HERE]."
If I could land a job at a "big brand," all my problems would be solved. I'd get recognized for my work, I'd be a LinkedIn legend (LOL), people would say "give the social team a raise" and mean ME.
What a crock of shit that mindset is.
In his book "Ego is the Enemy," Ryan Holiday writes:
Most successful people are people you've never heard of. They want it that way. It keeps them sober. It helps them do their jobs.
Social media has created a false narrative that if you're not a "thought leader," if you're not on Forbes 30 Under 30, you're not important. Bullshit.
If you're chasing accolades, you're on a sure path to destruction. You're going to burn out, go through 1000 identity crises, and probably half-ass the work in any job you're in because it's not where you think you deserve to be.
If you can let that go, even a little, you'll start to see what has always been true. You were already doing the work. You were already being creative. You were already making an impact.
You don't need a keynote, a blue check, or a viral moment to prove that. What does that do for you besides stroke your already fragile ego?
Stop comparing yourself. You're not them, and you never will be. You're YOU. The world doesn't need another Gary Vee or Alex Hormozi; the world needs YOU.
No one has your unique perspective. No one works the way YOU work. No one has the exact experience you have.
Who you are, where you are, and what you do is enough.
Are you feeling this right now? Hit reply and share your story. I may share a few in the next edition.
Until then, be kind to yourself. You matter.
Best,
