I always won the Byline War.
When I was a full-time reporter, I consistently wrote more stories than anyone else in my section or in the newsroom in general.
Winning the Byline War didn’t mean I was a better reporter or writer. It just meant I had my name printed on more stories, garnering bragging rights in a silly game.
Perhaps I had a larger, more active coverage area or wrote a little bit faster than others. Maybe I generated more story ideas because I’m naturally curious. Perhaps I wrote three mediocre stories for every one great story written by another reporter.
I don’t know why I won the Byline War and, honestly, it doesn’t matter anyway. It didn’t mean anything to me, and it shouldn’t have meant anything to fellow reporters. In the end, serving our audience well was way more important than ink on paper.
Don’t compare your writing or writing productivity to someone else’s. There’s always someone doing more and doing it differently, but it doesn’t devalue your work.
Let’s Talk Nerdy!
How do you avoid comparing yourself to others in the workplace?
TammyL says
It is amazing how achievements can seem diminished through comparison. Why do we let external things take value away from what we have accomplished?!?!?
For me, my strategy to avoid the comparisons with others is to instead compare versus my goals. I know I am going to want a yard stick to measure my accomplishments by … it is just who I am. So focusing internally makes for a happier Tammy.
profkrg says
@TammyL Tammy,
Comparing your accomplishments to your own goals is an excellent strategy. It seems that this would fulfill that natural need to be competitive by putting you in competition with yourself (perhaps even your best self). I’m going to try this!
Thanks for reading and for the great advice.
Kenna
BruceSallan1 says
Comparing yourself to others only makes you less happy. I great saying I heard is “the only happy people I know are people I don’t know very well.” Just ’cause someone appears to be more successful sure as heck doesn’t mean it’s really so OR that they have peace of mind, contentment, and love in their lives. Work on yourself – to heck with everyone else!
profkrg says
@BruceSallan1 “The only happy people I know are people I don’t know very well.” I love it! I always say “everybody’s got problems.” It’s so true! I think we make ourselves feel better and worse when we compare to people who we perceive as worse or better than we are. It’s really not worth it. Focus on the goal, right?
ThinDifference says
Such an excellent point! One of the things to do to stop comparing is to realize this: If you do exactly what someone else is, then you will just blend in. Don’t blend in. Stand out in doing what serves you and your community well. Thanks for a to-the-point post!
profkrg says
Thanks for reading, Debra. If we focus on our audience, all will be fine. @debra11 @tedcoine
debra11 says
@profkrg my pleasure… I enjoyed the concise, consumable message! 🙂
profkrg says
@jkcallas thanks for the RT, Jure! I hope you are well.
profkrg says
@tedcoine Thanks, Ted, for all of your support. I hope you have a great Friday!
profkrg says
@BrandFlair Thanks, John!
profkrg says
@KevinMinott Thanks, Kevin!
profkrg says
@Twylah Thanks!
HRHministry says
@PegFitzpatrick @profkrg So true. Thank you for sharing. <3
jehma says
@AlexisNeely here’s one I like: http://t.co/EBrMUVB8 (@eagene, from my public acct because you don’t follow me :-))
Biebert says
@ThinDifference @profkrg Kenna’s great
ThinDifference says
@Biebert @profkrg I’m in the Kenna fan club, too 🙂
profkrg says
You are both too kind! But I do love the “Kenna fan club.” 🙂 Happy Sunday! @ThinDifference @biebert
Biebert says
@profkrg @thindifference My goal is to be the president of that club. 🙂
ThinDifference says
@Biebert @profkrg OK… then I will be Chief Evangelist of the Kenna Fan Club! I think we are set 🙂
Biebert says
@ThinDifference @profkrg That sounds like a plan! #KennaForPresident
profkrg says
You guys! Giant hugs to you both. I appreciate your support so much! @ThinDifference @biebert