The Comparison Trap

Post written by Leo Babauta.

I love reading about other peoples work setups, I really do. Its one of my guilty pleasures.

Ill read about another bloggers computer setup, or what kind of notebook and pen he uses, or how he works standing up or on a treadmill or while doing handstand pushups and growing a vegetable garden.

And when I read about some cool setup someone else has, some cool new way of working, I inevitably want to try it. Im only human.

Youve done this too, probably. You might read a review of some new software that will help you create, or a new fashion style or some cool shoes or beautiful furniture or the newest iPad. Or maybe youre a minimalist and read someones barefoot running article, or how theyre living out of a backpack, and want to try that.

Its a trap.

Were endlessly looking at how others do things, for inspiration and ideas but we end up wanting to try those things too. That sounds harmless until you realize that youll buy almost anything because someone wrote about it and made it sound amazing. Youll live a life of an endless series of purchases because of what other people are doing. And it never ends.

Even if you dont buy stuff, youll change your life endlessly, based on what others are doing. Youll give up your couch, youll stop buying Ikea furniture, then give up your cell phone, then give up your computer, then start doing yoga, then become a Zen monk, then create a tech startup. Those things are amazing, sure but when does it ever end?

When do we ever feel content with the life were living?

If you look to the lives of others,
youll always find yourself lacking.

Look instead at what you have,
and be grateful.

Reduce your needs,
and be content.

And your life of striving
for perfection, for the future,
will become a life of balance
the moment, of inner peace.