Don’t Believe Every Selfie You See

“We live in a fantasy world, a world of illusion. The great task in life is to find reality.”
Iris Murdoch

So, let’s tackle something a little uncomfortable. What’s up? You know that saying, “what you see is what you get?” Well, we see a lot of everyone’s lives these days. From Instagram to Facebook to Pinterest to Twitter, we are a culture that is pretty obsessed with branding ourselves and putting our best faces forward (via perfectly edited selfies, of course). With all the  marketing we are working on, it’s easy to look around at the people we know and the ones we look up to and think, “wow, they have the perfect life” or, “why are things so easy for them?”

When you’re working really hard to design the lifestyle of your dreams, it can be discouraging when it seems like other people have what you want without all the sweat, blood and tears. Yet it’s important – even key – to not compare. What you are seeing may not be the real thing. Just look at your social media accounts. You probably aren’t taking selfies of yourself the minute after you found out you got passed over for a promotion, you aren’t taking photos of your home after your toddler spilled Parmesan cheese all over the place (for the second time today) and you aren’t taking photos of the “foodie” desert you prepared (a.k.a a pint of Ben & Jerry’s). Your social media accounts probably reflect the best you – the ideal you you want people to see – not the true you.

No judgement calls there. Just saying – when you feel discouraged or envious of other people’s lives, give yourself a reality check. People are simply (there is always an exception to the rule) not posting photos of the moment their husband comes home asking for a divorce or when they realize an investment just isn’t making cents-sense.

In the world we live in today, it’s so important to quit comparing and to really zoom in on what you want. Don’t get caught up in what others have because most of what you are seeing is an illusion. Pour your energy into creating the life you want to live and to give your family – because at the end of the day, your life is what truly matters – right?

Key Takeaway for Everyone:
Comparison doesn’t do anyone much good. It can be motivating at times and in the right dose, but don’t let yourself get so caught up comparing that you forget what you want.

Key Takeaway for Real Estate Investors:
Investing gurus make their paths to success seem fast, easy and expert. They have all the answers you need – if only you give them x amount of money. If you compare your path to what they say their path is, you’re going to come up short. Don’t compare your skills to these sideshow acts. Find the people who are honest, who are willing to share with you their struggles – and listen up. Chances are, they’re the ones telling you the truth.

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