When comparing with others, one finds that one is always less intelligent, talented etc. then someone else....

Question

how is one to cope with knowing that he or she will always be less then one who can get more out of life?

sorry, english is not my mother tounge.

Answer 1

Sometimes it's BETTER to have less.

I'm reminded of a particular Sherlock Holmes story. Watson found it surprising that Holmes didn't know many things that even a schoolchild did, such as the names of the planets. Holmes responded that knowing things that weren't important to his activities could only slow him down.

So it is with a lot of abilities. An athlete may be able to beat you in a running race, but all that physical energy may make it hard for him to sit still long enough to take a good written exam. Someone with a lot of intelligence may come up with new and brilliant ideas, but if he's dreaming of things that never were it may take him much longer to dig a hole in his yard.

Yes. Some people do some things better than you. There are probably even people who can do just about ANYTHING better than you. And while that makes it harder for you if you are competing with them, it makes it harder for THEM if they are cooperating with you.

Sometimes a weakness can be a strength. And sometimes a million ants can kill a lion. So it goes.

Answer 2

You also have to realize that you are better than a lot of people when it comes to intelligence and talent. Think of the glass as half full instead of half empty. You get what you expect out of life. If you don't expect to succeed, you won't. Dream! Set goals for yourself!

And just think of this; most of us can not ask questions in any language other than our own!

Answer 3

You can only do the best you can. If you imagine life is some sort of race you must wind at all costs you will eventually come up against the truth that, as you say, there is walways someone swifter.

But it is true that one need not be the best to make a contribution.

Answer 4

In my opinion, having someone do something better or be something more than you is just part of human existence. Because it is almost common sense, I think you then enter Plato's world and his idea of the "pursuit of happiness," with an 'i'. Humans will just try to do their best, and once they get there, they find happiness. Even if someone else passes them in a race, they know they have reached their potential.

Answer 5

You can look at it with a different perspective, there are always people who would be less intelligent and talented than you are. And anyway, why should we compare ourselves to others? God created us all different and unique, by comparing ourselves to others we don't respect this unique and great person that we are.

Answer 6

That is the beauty of motivation. When you see someone is better than you and it is what you want, then you will ultimately strive to be better. Only when a person is satisfied with themselves, only then do they start to slip back down the ladder of progress and success.

Answer 7

If you compare yourself to others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Answer 8

we don't have to be so competitive all the time. We should only compete with ourselves. Appreicate others' abilities and you will feel better about yours.