"Greatness is not a destination; it is a continuous journey that never ends." Brian Tracy 

What does it really mean to be great? We live in a world where comparison is inevitable, and the emergence of social media only adds to the complicated nuances of competition in business and accomplishing our goals. But what if we stopped striving to be the greatest in our industries, stopped looking at people as competition, and focused more on being the greatest version of ourselves? 

Imagine how far we could go.

Some people may be “further along” than you are in business, or may have accomplished more than you have-- but you don't know what their journey was like. We are uniquely made with gifts to share with the world and our own destinies to fulfill, and we block our greatness and divert attention from our goals when we focus on what other people are doing. When we pay too much attention to others, we start comparing ourselves. We must remember that, as Theodore Roosevelt once said, "comparison is the thief of joy." Comparison also allows self-doubt, fear, and imposter syndrome to creep in. 

Your journey is unique to you, and once you start watering your "seeds" and genuinely focusing on becoming the greatest you can be, everything changes for the better. In my own journey, I have made incredible connections, become more precise with my goals, and accomplished much more than I thought I would in the two years since I founded The Motherhood Village.

Ashley Paré, a TEDx speaker and leadership & negotiation expert, told me something that completely transformed my perspective:

Your job is to speak your truth loudly enough and clearly enough to repel those that aren't meant to be on your journey and to attract those that are.

It's not always easy, but when we lean into our abilities and confidently trust in our power, the right people will find us. These are the five things that I do to ensure I am living in my own greatness and thriving in my businesses-- and they can work for you, too!

1. Focus on the positive, eliminate the negative: Seek out uplifting and positive things to bring into your daily routines. These might be educational and motivating podcasts or books, journaling, meditation, nature walks, putting positive affirmations on your bathroom mirror, listening to your favorite music, etc. 
2. Unfollow or restrict social media accounts that do not incite joy: Social media is a great way to keep in touch with family & friends and to connect with your customers, but it can also be toxic! Don't be afraid to silence the accounts that leave you feeling bad about yourself, and follow accounts that uplift and inspire you!
3. Surround yourself with the right people: These are people who want what's best for you, who you can learn from, and who motivate you to do better. The most successful people say they never want to be the smartest person in the room, and research has shown that having a social support system, like The Daily Drip or The Motherhood Village, can positively impact your overall mental health. Therefore, seek the village that will empower and support you! 
4. Make time for yourself: Once you start investing in yourself and practicing self-care, you'll notice significant changes in your mental health. Be disciplined about prioritizing and carving out the time to do things that will help you release, reset, and recharge to be the greatest version of yourself. 
5. Keep learning and challenging yourself: Take all of the masterclasses you can; join mastermind & professional groups. Step out of your comfort zone and try new experiences that will enhance your professional and personal development!  

Life is too short to live in mediocrity and constant comparison. Lean into your purpose, live boldly in your truth, and when you're feeling stuck, ask yourself: are you striving to be the greatest fill–in–the–blank, or are you striving to be the greatest YOU that only you can be?

To further develop your self-esteem skills and lean further into your greatness, check out the powerful conversation I had with Dr. Simone Alicia, known as the Self-Esteem Doctor, on The Motherhood Village podcast. We dive into the strategies to instill positive self-talk and nurture positive self-image, and we discuss ways to deprogram negative messaging, the importance of finding the success and opportunities in our failures, and how to live a lifestyle of self-confidence. Listen here.