When I find myself slipping into a comparison mindset (which happens more often than I’d like!), I try to remind myself of the video game mindset:
- Calendar blocks = bricks to break: Once I commit to the big goals for the day, these goals become calendar blocks, which become like the bricks in those classic brick-breaking video games. Tackle them one by one to clear the stage
- Clean slate = stage clear: Someone once said the biggest source of stress for knowledge workers isn’t the amount of work itself but the feeling of never-ending tasks. Declaring “stage clear” after finishing the major tasks of the day helps set clear work boundaries and reduces stress
- Your former/weaker self = stage boss: Instead of competing with others, why not compete with your past self? Focus on continuous improvement, building a better version of yourself, and beating the “stage boss” which is the previous or weaker version of you
Certainly easier said than done, but definitely worth trying!