“Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.” I’m familiar with the saying. But sometimes that’s easier said than done.

Wanna know a secret? Recently, I’ve struggled – comparing where I want to be with this blog versus my actual results. I’ve also compared where others are in their blogging journey against where I am in mine.

There are several incredible, gifted bloggers who I respect and have followed for many years. And for all those years…

I’ve dreamed of having my own blog.

I envision a professionally designed blog with beautiful, high-resolution photos. And helpful resources that will draw readers in and encourage them. It will be full of inspiration – including freebies, recipes, tutorials, and beautiful Instagram-worthy photos – much like the “professional” blogs I’ve loved for years.

Of course, this will take time. But I wish it didn’t.

That reality could be years away. But I wish it wasn’t.

My goals and dreams are considerably greater than where I’m actually starting. Isn’t that typically the case? I find it necessary to keep reminding myself, everyone starts somewhere.

Those talented bloggers who have inspired me over the years didn’t achieve success in a matter of weeks or months. They didn’t casually toss up a couple of posts and – shazam! – instant success. No, I’m comparing my humble beginning to someone else’s middle.

My human nature prefers instant gratification. Please, can I fulfill my dream without the learning curves, countless hours of hard work, and failures along the way? Umm, no.

So, I’ve chosen to embrace Theodore Roosevelt’s philosophy of “do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

Someday I will have a fancy-schmancy camera (which I will have to learn to use!) And I will be able to produce beautiful high-resolution images. Eventually, I will do giveaways and tutorials. And there will come a time when I’m ready to hire a professional web designer.

Until then, I resolve to embrace the intricacies of this amazing technological world. I’m gaining necessary writing experience. All the while learning about scheduling, editing, graphics, web design, branding, networking, and advertising. Maybe that’s the beauty of humble beginnings. To have a passion/energy/vision for something and be working toward achievement in that area.

It requires time, experience, and determination to achieve any substantial vision. It also entails research, discovering, doing, practice, more practice, and more practice. In my heart, I know this to be true. But to be perfectly honest, I’d rather experience immediate, extraordinary results.

Is it a comparison trap? Is it a sense of entitlement? I don’t know. It might be. However, I prefer to think of it as “inspiration for growth.”

I have to remind myself (daily) not to compare my beginning to someone else’s middle. Yet, one step at a time, I do appreciate this journey. I’m learning to cherish sweet, humble, beginnings and the daily process of learning and growing in something new.

Design Your Life and Live Beautifully!

Tessa

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