Run Your Own Race
Lesson 27: We All Have Different Timelines, Embrace Yours.
It’s easy to feel pressure to keep up with others’ achievements, especially when social media and career milestones seem to set a constant pace. But life isn’t a race—it’s a unique journey where everyone moves at their own pace. Comparing timelines diminishes joy and blinds us to the progress we’ve made in our own lives.
I’ve experienced this first-hand during moments when I felt like I was running out of time to achieve my goals. During my volunteer journey, I often wondered if I should be in a “better place.” Seeing peers land seemingly superior jobs led me to compare myself to them, even though I genuinely enjoyed the work I was doing.
There was a season when I applied for several jobs, most of which I found on LinkedIn. Although I advanced in the early stages, I never made it to the final selection. In hindsight, that period taught me a lot. However, at the time, I found myself losing focus on my volunteer work and feeling ungrateful for the opportunities I had. I didn’t realize then that the lessons and experience from my volunteer roles were preparing me for future opportunities. Today, I can confidently attribute about 90% of my growth to what I learned in those roles. Volunteering, especially in middle management and advisory positions, not only gave me the flexibility to learn but also refined my leadership skills—opening doors to incredible opportunities I enjoy today.
As Theodore Roosevelt wisely said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Measuring ourselves against others shifts focus from personal growth to unrealistic benchmarks. It’s important to remember that life’s paths are as diverse as our experiences. One person’s success at 25 doesn’t diminish another’s at 35.
Embracing Your Unique Timeline
- Define Success for Yourself: Reflect on your values and goals to create your own definition of achievement, rather than adopting someone else’s.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Every step forward, no matter how small, is progress. Recognizing these milestones fosters gratitude and builds momentum.
- Focus on Growth, Not Competition: Measure your progress against your past self, not others. Growth is about becoming better than who you were yesterday.
- Find Inspiration, Not Comparison: Learn from those ahead of you and let their journeys inspire you, while staying true to your path.
- Trust the Timing of Your Life: Life’s milestones don’t have a universal timeline. Embrace the season you’re in, trusting that your journey is unfolding as it should.
Letting go of comparison liberates you to fully embrace your unique journey. When you stop measuring your worth against others, you open yourself to joy, gratitude, and self-compassion. Life isn’t a race—it’s a personal journey shaped by your values, experiences, and growth.
So,
How will you embrace your unique timeline today?
In case you missed lesson 26, you can read it here.
Ivan Kabandize