Yesterday, I finally did the thing I had been avoiding for weeks: I went to the gym.
Yes — at the end of February, after a long stretch of “it’s too cold,” “I’ll go tomorrow,” and “my spirit isn’t gym-ready yet,” I dragged myself there. And honestly? I felt good… until the comparison bug bit.
There was this guy doing pushups and lunges like he was being paid a million dollars per rep. A girl on the treadmill ran the entire time I was there with Olympic-level stamina. And the young couple? They moved through their workout like a synchronized team in the CrossFit Games.
Meanwhile, I was simply there to reach my daily steps target. Nothing glamorous. Nothing social-media-worthy. Just steps.
But then, subtly and quietly, comparison crept in. My pace slowed. My focus shifted. My confidence wavered. And I had to stop myself — sharply — and return to my goal.
That moment reminded me of a story from the world of elite sports.
The Chad le Clos Lesson
At the 2016 Rio Olympics, during the men’s 200m butterfly final, cameras caught South African champion Chad le Clos glancing sideways at his longtime rival, Michael Phelps. In that brief shift of attention, something changed. He had been strong. Focused. In the race.
But some fans and commentators believe that glance — that quick look into another man’s lane — may have disrupted his rhythm. He faded and missed the podium.
Now, I’m not here to analyze an elite athlete. Chad le Clos is extraordinary. But that moment? It preaches.
Because so many of us do the same thing.
We start strong. We know what God told us to do. We begin making progress. Then we glance sideways.
She’s further along. He’s getting more recognition. Their business is growing faster. Their ministry looks bigger. Their life seems smoother.
And suddenly… our pace changes.
The Subtlety of Comparison
Comparison doesn’t always look like insecurity. Most days, it disguises itself as:
“Just checking…” “Just scrolling…” “Just seeing how I measure up.”
But comparison costs you.
It costs peace. It costs confidence. It costs momentum. And sometimes — like Chad le Clos — it costs you the thing you were already leading in.
You cannot run your race while studying someone else’s lane.
Grace for Your Race
What God is doing for someone else is not the assignment He gave you.
And here’s a truth we don’t always admit:
Distraction drains strength.
Every glance sideways pulls energy away from your progress and redirects it toward someone else’s journey — a journey you were never meant to run.
“Stay in your lane. There’s grace for your race.”
It’s not just a cute phrase. It’s survival.
Your pace. Your purpose. Your timing. Your lane.
God didn’t design your finish line to be reached by copying someone else’s stride.
Focus Is the Guardian of Purpose
Comparison may be the thief of joy, but focus? Focus protects destiny.
When you’re locked in:
You clap for others without shrinking. You celebrate without spiraling. You compete with excellence, not insecurity.
Imagine running your life with spiritual blinders — not out of arrogance, but obedience. Eyes forward. Heart steady. Assignment clear.
Because ……. What’s meant for you will never require you to look sideways.
God isn’t grading you against anyone else’s progress. He’s simply asking you to be faithful to the pace He gave you.
Run Your Race
So today:
Resist the urge to measure. Resist the urge to scroll and spiral. Resist the urge to glance into someone else’s lane.
Focus on your race.
Run with intention. Run with discipline. Run with joy. Run knowing that your lane was designed specifically for you.
And when you cross your finish line, it won’t be because you monitored everyone else.
It will be because you stayed locked in.
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” — Hebrews 12:1–2
About the Writer
I love to inspire women and build hope, courage and resilience. Your story matters….you matter!
Hi,
My name is Esther. Thanks for reading my blog. I am a deep thinker who loves to reflect, write, and share my thoughts to inspire others and build hope.
I’ve spent my life believing that challenges aren’t roadblocks—they’re invitations to grow, innovate, and create impact that truly matters.
With over two decades in the nonprofit world and a Master’s in Nonprofit Administration, I bring heart, strategy, and purpose to everything I do. I’m an Advanced Certified Nonprofit Professional (ACNP) and Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP), grounded in service and driven by excellence.
My work lives at the intersection of strategy and humanity—spanning strategic planning, fundraising, grant writing, marketing, board governance, CSR, sustainability, and communications. As a lifelong learner and proud Lilly Scholar, Alford Scholar, two-time Blackbaud Scholar, and lifetime member of Nu Lambda Mu, I’m always growing so I can help others do the same.
I’m a listener first, a coach by nature, and a trusted partner to organizations ready to strengthen today while building for tomorrow. Through Esstaaz Company LLC, I lead initiatives like the Esstaaz African Fashion Accessories Fairtrade Initiative, empowering women in vulnerable African communities with opportunity, dignity, and sustainable work.
Creativity fuels me. I’m the author of two children’s books, with an upcoming inspirational book on courage and resilience.
I serve on the Board of Directors of the Detroit Metropolitan Youth Symphony (https://www.detroitmys.org/) in a fundraising and outreach advisory role. I also volunteer my time and skills at the Kenya Education Fund (KEF) as Visibility, Publicity, and Marketing Advisor (https://www.kenyaeducationfund.org/about-us-1).
I live by one simple mantra: Make Your Life Count for Something Great! And every day, I work to help others do exactly that.
Connect with me for a consulting, speaking, training, or coaching session. I would love to speak at your event/conference or train your team!
