Only use comparisons positively

Last Update: July 14, 2012
In the Live Chat this week as well as the great discussions, questions and fun conversations there has been a fair amount of negative self-talk. These are just a few examples of things that people have been saying.
  • "I must be useless at this because I haven't made any money after 30 days'
  • "I'm rubbish at this"
  • "You have to remember that I'm slow and need it in simple terms"
  • "I wish I could write as well as you - I'm just crap"
  • "I'm not an expert like you ... I just can't get it"
  • "This is a stupid question - but I'm not very bright"
  • "I'll probably never get it - but I'll keep trying.."
And I could go on. Last week wasn't special. This is typical of comments that appear in the chat week after week - people either just rubbishing themeselves or comparing themselves to others and then rubbishing themselves and/or their achievements.

The problem with negative self talk is that it actually takes more energy than being positive, becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy and if indulged in too often affect your health and well being.

I had my own moment this week when I read Kyle's blog "What would you do for 156,207 clicks?" Kyle was sharing his Street Articles numbers with everyone as a source of inspiration for what can be achieved.

What did I do? I started criticising myself for my figures not being as good as his. I have written 3 times as many articles with only 4,000 more views. Clearly my writing is not as popular.? Does this mean I'm not such a good writer? Why aren't I seeing the same results? This went round and round in my head until I bought myself up short - because I knew I was being foolish!

I'm a good and popular writer and last year I far exceeeded the writing goals I had set myself both in numbers of articles writtern and views.. This year I've written far less and hardly promoted what I've done but I am still on target to reach my writing goals.

I've looked at Kyle's writing before which is very different from mine and although I took his advice and shortened my paragraphs and used more bullet points and headings - I have not tried to copy his specfic writing style, which is light, informal and pssionate. I'm me and I write more formally and I don't want to copy someone else's style.

So when I had metaphically given myself a kick up the backside, I realised it was a good reminder to me - not to get caught up in a load of negative self-talk, that I should recognise and celebrate my achievements and only use comparisons for postivie inspiration and motivation.

Kyle mentioned in his blog that his long term writing target is to reach 1 million views which I thought was pretty inspirational. He won't know unless he reads this - I fully intend to beat him to it - all in the name of healthy competition. My writing rate has slowed recently and I needed an extra push and this is ideal for me.

And you know I shouldn't be so quick to criticise myself because on the very same day this week I agreed my first paid job as an article writier. Not one of those crappy contracts where you write 500 words for $5 or less but a proper contract in which I set the rate which properly reflects my talent and skills as a writer. See being positive is much more productive than indulging in negative self talk.

I shall use the infographic below as a reminder!










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TduhT182 Premium
I really needed to hear that, thank you. I too have taken this train of thought, that my way of expressing thoughts and wording of content is unique and will be ingested by a bunch of different opinions. I try to listen to you and celebrate the good and learn from the negatives, then cast them aside.
BIS Premium
Hi Todd
I think it's really important to let your personality shine through because it's what makes us unique. Sometimes we have to temper our style but never be afraid to show you. I think you're very good at casting aside the negatives and moving on.

Beverley
fishing Premium
Well I guess it is easy to beat up on your self because when you fail, and you will fail, you have something to blame.....Instead just slapp yourself a bit and get right back to it....we all will at times and always will probably beat up on ourselves but the ones that get past it will be the ones making progress on achieving their goals....good article Beverley...
BIS Premium
Thanks Tim
You're right. Picking yourself up after failing at something and moving on is key to people's success.

Beverley
this must be a +
BIS Premium
Thank you.
kyle Premium
Comparisons are natural and subtle ways to criticize yourself. I think that this is where the problem lies for most people as well. They see others around them succeeding, writing great content, building pages with ease, throwing sites together, getting local contracts....

And they say "I can't do that". The honest truth is that at that particular time they may not be, but what they may not realize is that all these people that are great writers, know how to get traffic with ease, earn enough to work from home, can build websites like no tomorrow...these people were once absolutely newbies at what they were doing. They got better by doing.

I like to tell people that are just starting out that I used to be in their exact situation. Exact. Not knowing a whole lot about anything related to online business, but through hard work, consistent action and perseverance, I was able to get to where I am at today. Anybody can follow the same path.

On another note, I know you are holding me to the million clicks now! It will remain my definite goal for the year of 2013 at Street (hopefully I can make some good headway on this before the end of the year here).
BIS Premium
Hi Kyle
I remember being terrified when I wrote my first article for Street Articles. Although I had done lots of writing I had never tried to publish any of it because I didn't imagine that anyone would want to read it. How wrong I was.

Now I'm happy to say I'm an internet writer and I now have my first job as a 'content creator'

When I first started writing it used to take me about 8 hours to write a single article. - now it's 20 - 30 minutes. I didn't compare my efforts to anyone else I just wrote and wrote and I have learnt so much. I've certainly followed the "hard work, consistent action and perseverance" which you suggest..

I'm looking forward to challenging you to those 1 million clicks.

Beverley
anindochk Premium
I am the witness! Let's see who beats whom! lol
sundcarrie Premium
Great article. I tend to criticize myself there is nothing wrong with admitting that you need more practice or training in a particular area but beating yourself up over it is not the way to get where you need to be. I have been working on positive talk once I identify something I need to work on I say I know I can do this I just need practice after awhile it will get easier just like everything else when you are learning.
BIS Premium
Thank you. I agree - none of us stop learning. But beating yourself up isn't worth it.
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