Let’s flashback for a second. Whether you were the kid bringing home straight A’s or the one sighing over every “average” C, chances are your school years were sprinkled with a good dose of comparison. You know the drill: the end-of-term exams, the report cards, the wide-eyed look your parents gave you when they saw that grade. For some, it felt like basking in glory; for others, it felt like bracing for a motivational “chat.”
But here’s the funny thing: even after we leave the world of lockers and lunch lines, a lot of us keep that comparison mindset well into adulthood. We keep measuring ourselves by the people around us, like checking how close we are to the top of some invisible leaderboard. Career? Check. Personal achievements? Check. “Oh, Sarah just got promoted? Better step it up.” And don’t even get me started on social media—the Olympics of comparison.
Yet, as my good friend once reminded me of one of Teddy Roosevelt’s famous declarations: “Comparison is the thief of joy.” And in our relentless pursuit of stacking up against everyone else, we sometimes forget the most important competitor we’ll ever face: our own past self. So, instead of always trying to beat everyone else, what if we just…gave ourselves an A? That’s right, an A for Being a Decent, Fabulous Human!
Ditching the World of Measurement for the World of Possibility
The “world of measurement” is a place of limitations. It’s where we rank, sort, and box ourselves in, based on what others are doing. It’s why we hesitate to ask for that raise, to switch careers, or to kickstart that passion project we dream about. After all, what if someone else is “better suited” for it?
But let’s press pause and take a step out of that mindset. Enter: the world of possibility. This magical place is where we ditch the fear of falling behind and start thinking, “Why not me?” Instead of competition, we find collaboration. Instead of scarcity, we see abundance. It’s a place where your dreams have room to stretch out, yawn, and realise, “Hey, I think I might actually be possible.”
So, How Do We Give Ourselves That A?
Giving yourself an A is more than just a self-esteem boost; it’s an active mindset shift. Imagine you’re polishing a diamond (that’s you, by the way) – not waiting to be graded by someone else, but setting your own high standards and cheering yourself on as you work to meet them.
Here’s where it gets interesting: to kick off your journey into the world of possibility, grab a pen and write yourself a letter. Not a “Dear Diary, today was tough” letter – no, this is a Dear Future Me letter. In this letter, you’re giving yourself that A. You’re writing as though you’ve already become the future you, looking back on the growth you’ve experienced, the fears you’ve tackled, and the dreams you’ve turned into reality.
Picture it:
- How has your mindset shifted?
- What fears did you conquer to land your dream job, or start that business? ● Are you more relaxed? (Bet you laugh at your old “work-life balance” struggles now!) ● How does your life feel richer and more fulfilling?
It’s not just about the promotions, accolades, or pay raises. It’s about becoming someone you’re proud of – a person who’s stepped out of their comfort zone and into their full potential.
The Secret Ingredient? Accountability.
Now, let’s not pretend that just writing this letter magically transforms you. It’s a start, yes, but keeping the A+ mindset takes work. That’s where a career coach comes in. Imagine someone who will call you out (nicely!) when you’re slipping into old habits, someone who sees your potential and keeps nudging you toward it. Working with a coach is like having a friendly drill sergeant whose mission is your own success. They’ll hold you accountable for making the “world of possibility” your everyday reality.
So, Why Not Give Yourself an A?
After all, why wait for someone else to say you’re worthy? You are. Award yourself an A for courage, an A for growth, and an A for not waiting around for the world to say it’s okay for you to dream bigger. And hey, when you take that A+ attitude out into the world, you might just find you’re inspiring others to do the same.
If you would like to know more, please follow this link.
Till we meet again, keep winning!