HIGHLIGHT REEL SYNDROME

We often judge ourselves harshly when we compare our efforts, our progress, and our results to others’.

We look at our competition or even our friends and for some reason they seem to be achieving more with less effort.

Does this mean we’re just not as good?

It is often said (and it is certainly true) that comparison is the thief of joy. But this is more than an idle aphorism.

The reason comparison does us so much harm is because our perception of ourself in that comparison is never accurate. We always end up with a slightly negatively distorted view of ourself.

When we look at the efforts of others we only really see their highlights. We see their results and their best bits... the bits they choose to show us (just look at Facebook and Instagram for examples of this). However, we are present for and witness all of our own outtakes and behind the scenes efforts. We are privy to all our most ridiculous thoughts and failed endeavours.

When we compare our outtakes to other people’s highlights, we don’t measure up too well.

Just remember, the people you are placing on a pedestal and looking up at with envy, wondering how they do it have exactly the same view of you. They see only your results, oblivious to the false starts and struggles you went through to create them.
And they are all too painfully aware of their own shortcomings and failures even if you are not.

Don’t fall victim to highlight reel syndrome.
It’s ok to look at others and feel like you are in some way not as good... it’s a natural point of human perspective.
Just always remember that viewpoint is not the truth.

It takes a lot of behind the scenes work to create the finished product.
So get out there and create some highlights, and pay less attention to the outtakes along the way.