Think Bigger is Better? Let Me Prove You Wrong!
Let’s get real for a minute—are you guilty of comparing your business to others? I bet you’ve looked at someone else’s bigger office, larger team, or flashier branding and thought, “Man, am I doing something wrong?”
But here’s the truth bomb—you’re not. In fact, you might be way ahead of the game in ways you don’t even realize.
Success isn’t just about size, revenue, or how many followers you’ve got on social media. It’s about profitability, impact, and longevity. So before you let self-doubt creep in, let’s talk about why comparing your business to others is a dangerous game and what you should be focusing on instead.
The “Big” Lie About Business Size
There’s a misconception out there that bigger businesses are more successful. That’s what most people believe. The problem is, size can be deceiving. I’ve seen companies that look huge from the outside, but behind the scenes, they’re barely keeping their heads above water. They’ve got big expenses, bloated teams, and razor-thin margins.
Sure, they might generate millions in revenue, but they’re barely making a profit. Meanwhile, I’ve seen lean, scrappy businesses pulling in much smaller numbers but raking in way more profit because they keep their costs low and run their operation smart.
Bottom line: It’s not the size of the business—it’s how profitable and sustainable it is. Are you running a well-oiled machine, or are you just chasing growth for the sake of appearances?
Why Comparing Will Mess You Up
When you compare your business to others, especially those big, flashy ones, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. You don’t see the whole picture. You don’t know their struggles, their debts, or the headaches they deal with every day. All you see is the highlight reel they’re putting out there.
Here’s what happens when you compare:
You doubt yourself: Instead of focusing on what’s working for you, you start thinking you’re doing everything wrong.
You lose focus: The more you look at what someone else is doing, the less you focus on your goals.
You make bad decisions: You’ll try to copy someone else’s strategy, forgetting that what works for them might not work for you.
Look, you don’t need to be running a multi-million dollar operation to be winning. You just need to be profitable, sustainable, and most importantly, happy with your progress. That’s how you stay in the game for the long haul.
Your Journey Is YOURS
Every business has its own path. What works for one doesn’t necessarily work for another, and that’s okay. Your job is to focus on YOUR journey, not someone else’s.
Think about this—when you hire someone, do you want the person who’s comparing themselves to others and doubting their abilities? Or do you want the one who shows up confident, knowing exactly what they bring to the table?
It’s the same with your business. When you show up and focus on your path, your customers will feel that confidence. And confidence is contagious. When you believe in what you’re doing, others will believe in it too.
How to Shift Your Focus to What Matters
Alright, so how do you stop the comparison game and get laser-focused on your own business? Here are a few practical steps:
Audit Your Wins: Sit down and write out all the wins your business has achieved. Whether it’s small victories or big milestones, remind yourself of how far you’ve come.
Set Your Own Metrics: Stop measuring your success by someone else’s numbers. Set your own KPIs (key performance indicators) based on your goals, not someone else’s benchmarks.
Celebrate Your Growth: Growth isn’t just about revenue or employees. Celebrate the fact that you’re profitable, that your clients are happy, and that you’re building something sustainable.
Block the Noise: If social media or industry news triggers your comparison trap, it’s time to take a break from it. Unfollow accounts that make you doubt yourself and focus on building your empire.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, business is a marathon, not a sprint. You’re not competing against anyone but yourself. The only yardstick that matters is the one you set for yourself. Focus on what makes your business unique, what’s working for you, and how you can keep improving.
Remember, size doesn’t equal success—profitability and sustainability do. So stop worrying about the big dogs and stay in your lane. Your path is the only one that matters.
Keep going, keep growing, and watch your business thrive on your terms.
Mark Evans DM