When you start something new – an internship, university, or your first job – there’s this quiet voice that creeps in:
“They’re smarter than me.” “She’s already doing everything perfectly.” “Why am I the only one struggling?”
I’ve been there too. I used to look around and think everyone else had it figured out – and that I was just trying to keep up. But here’s what I realized: we’re comparing our behind-the-scenes to everyone else’s highlight reel. We see people talking confidently, finishing tasks faster, or getting praise – but we don’t see their doubts, their late nights, or their mistakes. And when you judge yourself by what you think others are doing, you ignore your own progress.
The truth? Everyone has their own pace. Some people learn quickly but forget fast. Others take longer, but what they learn stays with them. Some are great speakers, others better listeners. And honestly? A lot of people are just pretending they’ve got it all under control.
Once I stopped comparing myself to others and started asking, “Am I better than I was yesterday?” — that’s when everything changed. That’s when I actually started growing.
Because in the end, you don’t need to be the best. You just need to be better than you were yesterday. Keep showing up. Keep learning. That’s real growth – and it’s the only comparison that actually matters.
These tips are based on my experience learning Spanish on a work and study programme in Spain. Benedict Timpe
