I used to open Twitter or LinkedIn, see someone launch a $100K course or gain 5K followers overnight, and suddenly feel like I was doing everything wrong.
I’d question my niche. My pricing. My content. My existence in the digital world.
And yet—I kept going.
Not because I was better.
But because at some point, I stopped comparing and started owning.
Here’s how that shift happened (and how you can make it too).
Why Comparison Kills Your Momentum
Comparison doesn’t just make you feel bad — it confuses you.
You start chasing other people’s strategies instead of refining your own.
You see someone selling templates and think, “Maybe I should do that too.”
Then the next day, it’s a course. Then a community. Then… nothing gets finished.
It drains your focus. Your confidence. Your ability to build anything meaningful.
Especially as a solopreneur, when your time and energy are limited — comparison is a slow bleed you can’t afford.
What I Used to Do (And Why It Didn’t Work)
For the longest time, I justified scrolling as “research.”
Looking at what others were building, hoping to reverse-engineer their success.
But all it did was trigger anxiety.
Instead of feeling inspired, I felt inadequate.
Instead of taking action, I hesitated.
Instead of building, I bounced from one half-baked idea to the next.
The truth? I wasn’t lacking strategy. I was lacking clarity — because my focus was always outward.
What Helped Me Break Free
The change didn’t happen overnight. But these things helped:
- Awareness first. I started noticing when I was comparing. What triggered it? What did I believe in that moment?
- Personal KPIs. I stopped tracking likes and followers. Instead, I measured consistency, clarity, and conversations — things I could control.
- Daily logs. I wrote down what I created each day, even if it was tiny. It helped me see my own progress instead of chasing someone else’s.
Little by little, I built a system that made comparison irrelevant.
Because when you’re focused on your own lane, the noise fades.
Mental Reframes That Changed Everything
Here are a few mindset shifts that truly rewired the way I approach my solo journey:
1. “Their Chapter 10 ≠ My Chapter 1”
That creator with the six-figure launch?
They’ve probably been doing this for years.
I was comparing their highlight reel to my day one. Not fair. Not helpful.
2. “I Only Need to Be 1 Step Ahead”
To teach, help, or serve someone, I don’t need to be a guru.
Just a step ahead. Just real. Just present.
That made it easier to create without imposter syndrome whispering in my ear.
3. “Small Wins Compound”
One email. One blog post. One digital product.
It may feel small now, but it stacks.
Momentum isn’t magic — it’s math.
1 + 1 + 1 = results.
What to Do Instead of Comparing
Here’s what worked better for me — and might for you too:
- Create Before You Consume.
Don’t open social media until you’ve built something for the day.
- Follow Fewer People (on Purpose).
Mute the noise. Curate your inputs.
Your mind is not a dumping ground — it’s a workspace.
- Celebrate Quiet Wins.
Your first $10 online? First newsletter reply?
Honor it. That’s proof you’re building something real.
- Find a Small Circle.
You don’t need 1,000 followers to feel supported.
Sometimes 3 kind DMs mean more than 300 likes.
Final Thoughts: The Only Person to Compare With
If you want to compare, compare with yesterday’s you.
Did you show up today?
Did you make one step toward your own path?
Then you’re doing just fine.
We’re all building in different ways, on different timelines, with different stories.
Your path is yours. Make it count.
— Hoàng Ân
📬 Get more honest, no-fluff insights at startwithme.online
