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Unhealthy Internet Marketing Comparisons

by The Niche Man
7 replies
Have you ever been tempted to make unhealthy comparisons? You know the kind where you're tempted to measure your success or achievements against anothers? Almost like an like an Internet Marketing version of keeping up with the Joneses?

I must admit being the competitive type, I've fallen into that trap. But I work to maintain my focus and decipline to stay in my lane regardless of what others (especially my direct competition) is or isn't doing.

But I must admit, it's an ongoing battle.

Has anyone else ever fallen for unhealthly comparison trap? How do you avoid, tame or sqaush them? Or do you think you should?
#comparisons #internet #marketing #unhealthy
  • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
    Originally Posted by The Niche Man View Post

    Have you ever been tempted to make unhealthy comparisons? You know the kind where you're tempted to measure your success or achievements against anothers? Almost like an like an Internet Marketing version of keeping up with the Joneses?

    I must admit being the competitive typle, I've fallen into that trap. But I work to maintain my focus and decipline to stay in my lane regardless of what others (especially my direct competition) is or isn't doing.

    But I must admit, it's an ongoing battle.

    Has anyone else ever fallen for unhealthly comparison trap? How do you avoid, tame or sqaush them? Or do you think you should?
    When I was first got into IM I was very immature in some aspects of my character. I would get into flame wars in forums and brag about my accomplishments at seminars. I look back at that guy and cannot believe that's how I used to be.

    That was over a decade ago. And after many life changing events ranging from losing some loved ones and dealing with some serious health problems (and probably just gaining some wisdom) I've done an almost 180 turn. I've learned that in life the things that truly matter transcend finances and material things.

    Things like health, family, friends, and helping others in need. You simply cannot put a price on those things. And just as important, being able to maintain your focus on your life and your business. I think there's a healthy way to make comparisons in your own mind by using, let's say as an example, a competitor's accomplishments as a benchmark or a goal to attain instead of trying to one-up them or someone else.

    It doesn't mean I don't call someone on their bull crap every now and then (hey, I'm still working on that one), but I no longer make unhealthy comparisions or try to "keep-up-with-Jones" since that doesn't do me any good. This change in philosophy has lowered my blood pressure, helped me deal with my rapid heart beat issue (known as S.V.T.), and I'm heck of a lot more fun to be around with than I was ten years ago. At least that's what my friends and family tell me.

    RoD
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    • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
      Originally Posted by Rod Cortez View Post

      When I was first got into IM I was very immature in some aspects of my character. I would get into flame wars in forums and brag about my accomplishments at seminars. I look back at that guy and cannot believe that's how I used to be.

      That was over a decade ago. And after many life changing events ranging from losing some loved ones and dealing with some serious health problems (and probably just gaining some wisdom) I've done an almost 180 turn. I've learned that in life the things that truly matter transcend finances and material things.

      Things like health, family, friends, and helping others in need. You simply cannot put a price on those things. And just as important, being able to maintain your focus on your life and your business. I think there's a healthy way to make comparisons in your own mind by using, let's say as an example, a competitor's accomplishments as a benchmark or a goal to attain instead of trying to one-up them or someone else.

      It doesn't mean I don't call someone on their bull crap every now and then (hey, I'm still working on that one), but I no longer make unhealthy comparisions or try to "keep-up-with-Jones" since that doesn't do me any good. This change in philosophy has lowered my blood pressure, helped me deal with my rapid heart beat issue (known as S.V.T.), and I'm heck of a lot more fun to be around with than I was ten years ago. At least that's what my friends and family tell me.

      RoD
      Good points, I've travelled down a similar path. Time can sometimes be the best teacher if nothing else will, if you're willing to listen. To your health always!
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    • Profile picture of the author Magnus Koenig
      Originally Posted by Rod Cortez View Post

      And just as important, being able to maintain your focus on your life and your business.
      True.
      There will always be people that are better at something. The only thing that matters is that you are happy with yourself and with what you have, because when it comes down to it you don't have anything else than yourself.
      It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks about you and it also doesn't matter if anyone else is doing better in internet marketing as long as you are happy with yourself and your business.
      But this does not mean that one shouldn't always try to improve him or herself (as a person) and his or her business. Just don't do it to be better than other people - do it for yourself.
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    • Profile picture of the author NickWatson
      Originally Posted by Rod Cortez View Post


      ...being able to maintain your focus on your life and your business. I think there's a healthy way to make comparisons in your own mind by using, let's say as an example, a competitor's accomplishments as a benchmark or a goal to attain instead of trying to one-up them or someone else...
      So true...i have myself fallen trap to these "unhealthy" comparisons...but at the same time I really do believe in having some sort of bench mark to measure my performance...
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  • Profile picture of the author JamesGw
    I'm really only interested in what other people are doing if it can help me in some way. Otherwise, I tend to just focus on my own thing.
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  • Profile picture of the author uebomoyi
    I've fallen into that trap thousands of times. It's a very hard thing to deal with and I guess the reason why some people do it is because they see the glory and honor someone has attained and then they think the only they can get to that level is to try and do exactly what that person has done. I remember when Google Sniper 2.0 first came out, there was a guy who's site was ranking number one for the keyword and I tried to get my site ranked like his--- only problem was he had about 11,359 backlinks and counting and I had none. So yeah I've learned not to compare anymore...
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  • Profile picture of the author Rob Howard
    This is a VERY good thread and I think more people should listen.

    This isn't a race, and just because one person makes 1 million, and another person makes 100k, or one person just made their first 100 dollars...none of that crap matters.

    What matters is - "does this allow me to live a lifestyle I am happy with".

    Meaning - if 5,000 dollars a month is enough for me to be happy, and I level out around 5k to 7k or whatever, that's great!

    Sadly, though, people will say "Yeah, but that guy - psh - I'm a better marketer because I make (insert dollar amount here) more than he does".

    Bull crap.

    Maybe some people don't need or want to make millions. Some don't want the responsibility of having so much. And to feel like you need to make more money to gain respect of some douche bag, well then, that's silly.

    I've seen a lot of people come and go here in the WF who have that complex - they feel the need to flaunt their massive earnings (which you some times wonder about the bragging...) and will frequently bash on those who earn less/or have different opinions about business, and yet feel justified in doing so, all because they make millions more than the other guy.

    Rob
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