Tunnel Vision

This Forbes article shares several suggestions for improving your mental health at work. They are all great suggestions, but we want to draw your attention to the third one: stop comparing yourself to others.

We often tend to think of "tunnel vision" as a bad thing - something that prevents us from looking around, making necessary observations and pivoting when needed. But tunnel vision can also be beneficial, specifically when working with a coach.

It is easy to get caught up in seeing what others are doing and watching their progress. When we are in a healthy place, we can harness this and use it as motivation to push us to work towards our own goals. But what if we are in a place where that is not helpful or motivating? Sometimes it can lead us into self-doubt, insecurity or questioning our goals. Going too far down that path may even cause progress paralysis.

In this case, we suggest tunnel vision. Don't actively seek out what others are doing or how much progress they have made. Keep your eye on your own prize, taking one step at a time toward your goals and celebrating your own accomplishments. Then, when you're in a better spot, you can celebrate those around you.