Competition or Jealousy

Grass Is Always Greener on the Other Side – Because It Is Watered

We’ve all been guilty of this at some point. We see someone else getting a better job, a better car, a better lifestyle, or even what looks like the perfect family.

We look at it and think, Why don’t I have what I want? This is where the difference comes in.

Aspiration is great—it fuels ambition, pushes us to improve, and helps us set higher goals. But when admiration turns into jealousy, negativity, or resentment, it becomes toxic.

Getting upset
Feeling angry
Becoming negative
Letting it affect your day

All of these reactions drain your energy and shift your focus from progress to self-pity. Instead of using someone else's success as motivation, you allow it to make you feel inadequate.

What Is Your Reaction?

These are the two typical reactions people have when they see someone else succeed:

Jealousy and Negativity – Feeling envious, upset, or angry that someone else has achieved something you haven’t. This mindset is destructive and limits your own potential.
Competitiveness and Growth – Using the success of others as motivation to work harder, learn more, and improve your own journey. This mindset leads to long-term success.

Wishing well is easier said than done. But the best way to react to someone else's success is through competitiveness in a healthy way. Instead of feeling bitter, turn it into fuel. If they can do it, you can too.

So, what are you going to choose today?

Being competitive and aiming for a better lifestyle?
Or getting jealous and upset?

Vice President in a Few Years... Whaaatt?!

I had an experience in my corporate days where I trained a coworker who started at an entry-level position. Fast forward a few years, and this person had climbed all the way to Vice President in record time.

I was shocked. Confused. Annoyed.

How is this possible? Here I was, slogging away for years, and this person just skyrocketed. Naturally, I did what most people do—I ranted to my best friend. I went on and on about how unfair it was, how this shouldn’t have happened, and how I couldn’t understand the reason behind it.

My Ego Couldn't Handle It

Then it hit me: the real problem wasn’t that this person had become a Vice President. The problem was my ego.

I wanted to feel that I was the only one capable of that level of success. My frustration wasn’t about their achievement—it was about my perception that I should have been the one achieving it first.

Later, I met this person and, despite my lingering shock, I congratulated them. I told them it was an amazing achievement. Then something unexpected happened.

They looked at me and said, “One of the reasons I achieved this is because you were one of the best trainers who motivated me to aim higher.”

I stood there, stunned. I had unknowingly played a role in their success. And at that moment, I felt like a complete fool for ever feeling resentment.

The Turning Point

That moment changed my perspective. Instead of feeling jealous, I felt proud. Instead of questioning why it wasn’t me, I focused on how I had contributed to someone else's success. And that made all the difference.

There Will Always Be Someone Doing Better Than You

The next time you see someone who makes you feel insecure, jealous, or annoyed, remind yourself of this truth: there will always be someone doing better than you.

And that’s okay.

The best thing you can do is:

Learn from them
Use their success as motivation
Focus on your own journey

If you waste time worrying about others, it will only hold you back. Instead, wish them well and focus on your growth. The moment you shift your mindset, your world will change. You will become more positive, more focused, and more successful.

Here’s What I Did Instead:

Started Wishing People Well – It’s easy to feel jealous, but choosing to genuinely celebrate others’ success made a huge difference in my own mindset.
Accepted That Someone Will Always Be Ahead – Instead of fighting it, I embraced it. I started using others' success as a learning opportunity.
Learned from the Best – I sought out mentors, read books, and studied leaders who had achieved great things.
Used It as Fuel – Seeing others succeed pushed me to work harder, be more strategic, and set bigger goals.

I attribute so much of my success to the amazing leaders and people I have met along the way. Every person you meet is a teacher—so choose wisely who you learn from. 😊

The grass isn’t greener on the other side just because it’s better—it’s greener because it’s watered.

Success isn’t about luck. It’s about effort, mindset, and continuous growth. So, the next time you catch yourself comparing your journey to someone else’s, ask yourself:

Am I using this as motivation or as an excuse to feel bad?
Am I focusing on their success instead of creating my own?
What can I learn from their journey that will help me grow?

The answers to these questions will shape your path. Choose growth over jealousy. Your future self will thank you. 😊