- Savor Everyday moments-see previous post.
- Avoid Comparisons-Instead of comparing ourselves to others, focusing on our own personal achievement leads to great satisfaction, according to research by Lyubomirsky.*
I attended a talk by Marlo Thomas many years ago…remember That Girl? Daughter of Danny Thomas? Anyway, during the question and answer period of the presentation, someone asked her what the best advice her father gave her. Her response, “Run your own race.”
She shared the image of a race horse with blinders on the side of its head to keep from seeing where the other horses are. Seeing your competition can take your focus off your own strategy and style. You are your only competition…run your own race. Focus on your personal and unique strengths as they will move you in the direction you want and in a way that fits you the best. You aren’t the same as others so why would you want to be the same as others? The gifts you offer the world are yours, and yours alone-unique and special.
I agree with the Positive Psychology movement when they say: You don’t have to be different than who you are, just be more of who you are!
Run your own race.
(*The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want, Sonja Lyubomirsky, Penguin Press, 2008)
