As a small or solo business owner, it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind when scrolling through social media. You see others hitting milestones—scoring big clients, launching new products, or growing their follower count—and suddenly, self-doubt creeps in. But here’s the truth: comparing your business journey to others is not only unproductive, it’s harmful.
Stop Comparing.
Every business grows at its own pace. While some small business owners seem to hit the ground running, others build momentum slowly, steadily working toward long-term success. Just because you aren’t hitting the same milestones doesn’t mean your business isn’t thriving. Success is deeply personal, and chasing someone else’s definition of it can drain your energy and cloud your vision for your own goals.
Pain Points.
Many small business owners face similar pain points that amplify feelings of comparison:
- Limited resources: Unlike larger businesses, you may not have a team or significant budget to throw behind marketing, production, or customer service.
- Inconsistent cash flow: With ups and downs in revenue, it can feel like you’re always in catch-up mode rather than confidently moving forward.
- Wearing too many hats: As a solo business owner, you’re managing everything—sales, admin, marketing, customer service. It’s exhausting, and it often feels (remember the reality is different to feelings though) like others are doing it better with ease.
- Social media overwhelm: Watching others succeed online can make you feel like you’re not doing enough, whether it’s content creation or customer engagement.
The reality is that no two businesses are alike, and comparing yours to someone else’s won’t move you closer to your goals. Your journey is your own, and your path to success is as unique as the products or services you offer. What matters is the progress you’re making, even if it’s behind the scenes or slower than you’d like.
Embrace where you are.
Here’s how to embrace where you are in your business journey:
- Celebrate small wins: Whether you made your first sale or simply got through a tough week, every step forward is a victory.
- Focus on your goals: Instead of looking outward, look inward. What do you want for your business? Let those personal goals guide your actions.
- Be patient with growth: Success takes time. Those overnight successes you see often have years of hard work behind them.
- Accept help: You don’t have to do everything on your own. Seek out a mentor, outsource, collaborate with others, or invest in tools that will lighten your load.
- Use techniques: Try mindfulness techniques, positive affirmations, and building a supportive community of fellow solo business owners.
Let go of the notion that you’re “behind” just because your journey looks different from someone else’s. You’re exactly where you are right now. (whether you like it or not). Keep pushing toward your goals at your own pace, and remember that the only person you need to compare yourself to is who you were yesterday.
Your business has its own story—focus on your business and keep writing it.
