Does it feel like everyone is moving forward except you? Time to read this post.

Several years ago, I wrote a post Does it Feel like Everyone is Moving Forward – Except You?

To date, it’s been one of my most popular posts. That feeling of everyone moving forward (except them) has definitely resonated with people.

I think at some stage we all feel that we are standing still and other people are rushing past us. Having those feelings occasionally is fine, but the key is not to dwell on them. Most importantly, we shouldn’t believe those feelings.

We shouldn’t assume a feeling is a fact.

Disclosure – This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Any compensation I receive does not affect the price you pay.

While I touched on several points in the first post, here are more thoughts to consider when it comes to feeling like everyone is moving forward except you.

Understand you are moving forward

Sometimes we think we aren’t moving forward when we actually are.

Often, it may simply be at a slower pace than we would like. Granted, that can be frustrating, but at least we are heading in the right direction!

Related post – 12 Reasons You Are Not Moving Forward Fast Enough

This is where we need to acknowledge our successes, even the small ones. This is where we need to pat ourselves on the back more often for a job well done.

When you are reading LinkedIn and admiring someone else’s career progression and starting to get that sinking why have I not done as well feeling, take a moment to remember what you have achieved in your career.

Think about your recent successes and achievements. Bring the focus back onto yourself and be proud of what you have achieved instead of coveting what you think someone else has.

As far as careers go, sometimes we choose to take what appears to others as a backward step (we take a job we love at a lower pay rate, for example), yet in reality, it’s a huge step in the right direction for us.

Try not to get obsessed with how things appear on social media. Social media can be deceptive. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan, but let’s face it, people want to look good in that space.

With certain sites (Instagram springs to mind), it’s all shiny, happy, successful people, all the time.

Enjoy the amazing photographs, but understand down deep that no one’s life looks like that all of the time.

Related posts –

Stop repeating old mistakes

We all make mistakes. No huge revelation there. Yet the problem is that many of us keep repeating the same ones.

Moving forward means that we are constantly learning. Sounds great, right?

Unfortunately, repeating old mistakes means that we are not learning what we need to and often end up experiencing the same situation over and over again before we get the message.

Repeating old mistakes will make you feel like you are not moving forward.

If you feel like your life is going backward or even stuck in a ‘Groundhog Day’ situation, take a deeper look at your mistakes and, more to the point, the ones you keep repeating.

Related post – Are You Repeating the Same Mistakes?

Take consistent action

Sometimes, the only difference between the people who are moving forward and the people who don’t seem to be is that one group takes action more than the other.

More to the point, they take consistent, focused action.

I will use myself as an example. I fully admit I have been all over the place with my blogging consistency; it’s been an important component of my blog that I haven’t been able to get quite right. When I look at successful bloggers who have been blogging for a lot less time than I have and have the same quality content, I understand my main obstacle is my lack of consistency.

Often, it can be one thing that holds you back. You need to work out what your main roadblock is and work like hell on it.

If you need help taking action, I have a great book recommendation for you. I finished reading The Motivation Manifesto by Brendon Burchard. It’s a great read and an excellent motivator. A heads-up: this book includes some tough love. It’s going to motivate you, but also give you a bit of a kick. It’s going to push you and make you ask yourself some tough questions. It’s written in a different style than Brendon’s other books as well, so it’s probably good to know if you have read some of Brendon’s other books.

Make yourself happy first

Nothing is going to make you feel like you are not moving forward, like living your life on someone else’s terms. By that, I mean living a life someone else wants for you instead of the one you want for yourself.

Choosing a career that your parents want or marrying a partner that everyone else feels is right for you, despite your own misgivings, is going to make you feel like your life is not moving forward. Not to mention make you incredibly miserable.

If you feel like you are too focused on pleasing others and not focused enough on pleasing yourself, check out my post on the best books to help stop being a people pleaser.

Do something bold

Sometimes you have to go big!

If you have dreamed of taking a trip overseas or going on a big adventure exploring your own country, then stop watching people’s Instagram and Facebook feeds and secretly wishing that was you, and do something about it.

Plan that big trip. Be daring and courageous.

Start a new fun hobby. Take the leap instead of living vicariously through other people.

Related post – 25 Ways to Be More Courageous in Life

Relax and have fun

Yes, I know that sounds easier said than done, but dammit, sometimes you just have to stop stressing about where you are in life as opposed to where you want to be and be in the moment.

Life isn’t meant to be one big stressful to-do list. It’s meant to be fun!

If you are exhausting yourself with thoughts of why aren’t I ‘blank’? (insert your own word here) now is the time to relax, have a good laugh, have some fun, and enjoy yourself!

You are moving forward. Stay focused on what you want to achieve and NOT on what other people are doing. 

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Read Next – 10 Important Ways to Make Yourself a Priority