Traveling Your Own Distance

This week I've done a lot of looking back: seeing where I've come from, how far I've made it and the distance I still want to go. And one of the biggest things I struggle with, and have seen others struggle with, is comparisons.

We all do it. Compare ourselves to others. Our work, our looks, our clothes, everything. It's hard not to. I do it all the time in my personal and business life. And it's a TERRIBLE practice. Why can't I look like that? Why aren't I doing that? Why don't I have that many followers? How come I don't get to work with them? I could go on for hours, and hours, as most girls or small business owners could, about how hard it is to NOT compare yourselves to others.

But, if I've learned anything in those comparisons, it's these 3 things.

Your path and your business is for you and you only. Why would you want someone else's path?! It's is meant for YOU. It is filled with challenges and victories designed for you to handle.  You are exactly where you're supposed to be when you are supposed to be there and you always will be, even when it doesn't feel like it. Just keep going!

I'll be honest here. There are a lot of days I wake up in the morning, putter into my office, check my email, and just think 'what am I doing with my life?!' I have COUNTLESS amounts of WTF moments throughout the day. There are some days where I feel like I made the biggest mistake of my life by working for myself full-time, and there are many days where I doubt everything. BUT, of course I put my best foot forward on Facebook, Instagram, etc. These social mediums show the GOOD aspects of my business, not the bad. And when I see the great things others are doing, I have to remember that they are probably going through the same things I am behind the scenes. What if I'm not good enough? What will people think? I've learned to change the way I've asked myself these questions. I know I told you in yesterday's blog, but everyday I write in my journal about these things. This lesson is where it really comes in handy. Instead of, What if I'm not good enough? I change it to, How can I be better? What can I do better today than yesterday? It allows me to assess where I am and focus on me rather than on others.

This one is the biggest. Despite all the things I think and do to look at just myself and my journey, there are still moments where I look at others and still compare myself. But for the branding history blog, I went back to Twila's Facebook page back when it was first started. I looked at the first few blogs and the first designs I did. And while none of it was bad, I was definitely still learning. And I can visibly see just how far I've come in my skills, how I represent myself, and the content I provide to my clients. I have come SO far since then. I've changed logos, rebranded myself, and grew into the brand I have now, which is something I am really proud of. And that feels really good.

As I've grown within my company, I've taken a new approach to comparisons. Instead of being negative, I try to appreciate the amazing things my colleagues are doing and reach out to them. There are so many fabulous designers and small business owners out there and instead of competing, I would rather work with them.  Just because someone chooses another designer over me, doesn't make me a bad designer. It just means that they fit the project better than I did and THAT'S OKAY. We have to remember to support each other instead of compare ourselves.

I love grabbing coffee or lunch with fellow designers and colleagues. I've met some of my best friends by reaching out asking to grab a coffee and talk shop. At first I was nervous to reach out to people I barely new, but decided to take the chance anyways. And I encourage you to do the same!

So, who wants to grab a coffee?

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