Why to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others at Work - The Muse

Why to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others at Work - The MuseWhy to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others at Work My teams really good about asking each other questions. Were not a shy or arrogant bunch, and so we regularly turn to each other for help with little things like how to easily move a row in a spreadsheet without ruining the formatting and big things, such as seeking direction on a half-baked article idea. I dont always know the best way to approach social media marketing, but I trust that one of my co-workers will come to the rescue. And Im always happy to chime in when a colleague asks a grammar question. I didnt always work in groups that were so willing to offer a hand, or flat-out this-is-how-you-do-this instructions. Frankly, I welches rarely comfortable relying on others expertise. That would mean admitting I didnt have all of the answers, that I didnt know how to do everything, that I wasnt (gulp) good at everything. But obviously I didnt and wasnt. Im proud of the skill s I have, yet I fully recognize that everyone I work with has strengths that I simply do not have. In a recent article, bestselling author, Seth Godin offers this little nugget of truth Everyone is better than you are...(at something). Which makes it imperative that you connect and ask for help.And he offers it as a positive because its in recognizing your limitations that gives you a reason to connect with others. And sometimes we need a reason to forge a connection and, moreover, increase our self-awareness.The beauty of collaborating is that it gives us an opportunity to share what we know and learn from what others know. If you could do it all- better than everyone around you- you wouldnt need collaboration you wouldnt need anyone. Thered be no exhilarating brainstorming sessions or productive learning periods that emerge from recognizing that you alone arent enough. If you can accept that youre not the be-all end-all in every aspect of your job, youll be better because of it. I f you can quit comparing yourself to others, youll probably be happier and less stressed. Youll grow not in spite of this awareness, but because of it. So own the things you excel in, relish your expertise even. But know that its OK, and even expected that someone else will fill in the gaps. When companies talk about wanting team players, Im pretty comfortable saying that this is what theyre referring to. Youd do well then to adopt the attitude and understanding that current (or future) co-workers are going to be better at something than you are. Period.