Do YOU, and Envy No One

I’m sure all of you heard the expression “Run Your Own Race.” I hate that term because it’s the most difficult advice to follow in my experience. Doesn’t make it any less true. I’m a woman of action. I need to be on the scene, kicking some literary ass; therefore, I grow extremely impatient when progress slows to a crawl. These times of frustration gives you a lot of time to think, namely dissecting how and why you suck and how life is unfair.

You start looking at other people running alongside of you, even those miles ahead, and start comparing notes. “How come they got there faster than I did? Why are they getting so much attention and praise? They’ve got it so easy. I’m so much better than them.”

Admit it, you’ve said it. So have I. But I’m also a firm believer that everything happens for a reason—that Slumdog Millionaire thing where all the trials and hardships pay off in that pinnacle moment in your life.

Has it ever occurred to you that that person running ahead of you might be in fact paving the way for you to follow? The one on top will eventually be the platform under your feet. Has it ever crossed your mind that said person went through hell and back to be where they are, endured horrendous shit that they would never confess to a living soul? I’m just saying; everyone has their own dragon to slay, their own prison time to serve.

“What do they have that I don’t?”

That person leaving you in the dust may have mediocre writing skills, but has shrewd business sense. You might be a stuttering introvert, where that person can conduct interviews and network like a pro. Maybe they can take public backlash and can keep a cool head. Maybe they aren’t easily swayed by the temptations that come with success, buy into their own hype, or believe every line that comes their way. Who knows?

Not all of it has to do with talent. It’s timing and qualification. Your path in life might require skills that you don’t have yet, and you will not progress as quickly until you do. That kind of training takes time.

My point is this, you may THINK you know, but you have NO clue what kind of drama and unforeseeable bullshit waits behind that finish line, so rest easy in the fact that you have a bit more time to prepare. Trust me, IT’S COMING, and we’ve all seen plenty of people crumble under the weight of their own success. If you have done everything in your power to advance, then find confidence in your individual pace, and quit looking over your neighbor’s shoulder. You’ll get too distracted, which will only slow you down. Do YOU, and envy no one.

Now with that said, the only thing left to do is to follow my own advice.