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The Comparison Cap

Most people think of Henry Ford when they think about the invention of the automobile. However, the true historian will know that Karl Benz is the one who should be credited with inventing the first automobile in 1885. Several others were working on self-propelled vehicles before Ford too, but he often receives the credit. 

His invention, however, was far more reaching than just the automobile.

Ford's real contribution was making the automobile available to the masses. The common, and accurate, assumption was that automobiles were only for the wealthy. At the time, the average person could do nothing more than fantasize about having a personal car. And, there was nothing in the automotive industry at the time that could change that reality.

Well almost nothing. There was one that fought the urge to compare himself to other automakers: Henry Ford. By ignoring the status quo and industry norm, Ford revolutionized the manufacturing process and brought cars to the masses. By replacing expensive handcrafted cars with the moving assembly line he raced beyond one of the most commonly held comparison beliefs of the time. He not only changed the production of the automobile, he transformed the manufacturing industry all together.

He didn’t invent the automobile, but he did change the world.
All because he refused to compare.

Why Should We Care?
So, what comparison are you making that’s holding you back?

Even the best, most buttoned-up people in the world can find margins to gain. Actually, it’s these people that are the most intune with finding these edges and consistently pressing them. That’s precisely what makes them the best. You have them too. You just need to stop comparing to find them.

Have you ever noticed that the greatest musicians or artists are all a little “weird”. I don’t mean that as a negative label at all. It’s actually a label of admiration, respect. They’re odd and they not only accept it, they lean into it. It’s central to who they are. At some point in their life they’ve ignored the comparison with everyone else and chosen to see things, and themselves, differently. 

Excellence calls for the same mindset and intentional choice to ignore comparison. The comparison we are drawn to does nothing but limit us by coloring ourselves with the same brush as everyone else. It pushes us to accept the norm and be part of the status quo. 

Some call it normal. A better description is mediocre.

REAL TALK - Action Steps
Removing external limiting factors in our lives is usually very straightforward - not easy, but at least straightforward. By changing friends, environments, and daily routines we can usually eliminate the majority of those factors. However, the internal limiting factors are not as direct - mainly because we don’t want to believe them, or even know we have them. Here are a few ideas to shine light on our tendency to compare:

• Author Your Story 
  
  • It’s your life. Write your story. And, before you say you are, you need to double check. How much of your decisions are based on what you want to do versus what you think others want you to do? How often are you adjusting your words and actions for the approval of people that won’t show up at your funeral? Don’t hire a ghostwriter for your autobiography.
    

• Write in ALL CAPS
  
  • Before you can stay true to what you believe you need to know exactly what that is, BUT when you find it … live it boldly. The failures and criticisms will pass. The feeling that you never actually went for it will not. You may be able to hide it from others, but you’ll never conceal it from yourself. No comparison. No apologies.
    

• Scribble in the Margins
  
  • While you’re at it, be sure you’re scribbling in the margins too. That’s where all the memorable stories are. It’s a comparison-free zone. The only people in the margins scoff at comparison with the understanding of its feeble scoreboard and suffocating limits. Besides, there’s no traffic there either.
    

We build the walls and ceilings in our own lives with the comparisons we consistently make and accept. It not only limits our joy, but it limits our potential as well.

Checkout Surrender the Outcome on Amazon and order The Score That Matters with Ryan Hawk & Brook Cupps. The latest blog from Blue Collar Grit can be found here!