How often do we get triggered by someone doing something that resembles our work?
Especially now, in the age of almost unlimited content creation, ideas flying everywhere, everyone posting, everyone watching everyone.
Should we be worried?
I don’t think so.
The other day I came across a piece of content that strikingly resembled my own words, ethos, and actions. My immediate reaction was jealousy.
I’m not afraid to admit it. I’m human, and that’s a human reaction.
But luckily, my brain was trained for the next step.
After those initial few seconds, I immediately did what I like to call the zoom out method.
You take the thing that happened, hold it, pause, almost freeze-frame it, and then you add all the qualifying factors to the equation.
Are we even on the same journey?
What kind of situation is this person going through?
Is this person being authentic, or are they copying, borrowing, or using someone else as inspiration?
And my favorite one:
Does it even really matter?
I’m not saying this resolves everything. Sometimes it won’t.
But it gives you perspective, and perspective gives you space to breathe.
Because there is always more to the story.
We are quick to judge, but it’s very hard to judge properly.
Additionally, aren’t we all copying someone or something, at least to some extent? Isn’t that part of being human?
So before you panic, zoom out.
You are on your own journey.
As long as you keep embedding your uniqueness into whatever you’re doing, you’re going to be fine.
No need to panic, my friend.
Perspective is everything.
This Week’s Cue to Pause
The first reaction is human. The next one is a choice.
