In today’s episode, we are discussing how to avoid comparing yourself to other creatives. Comparison syndrome is toxic and can be pretty common among designers… So without further ado, let’s get into the show!

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Show Notes for This Episode:

[1:20] @CathyHogan_Illustration asks how to feel confident and not compare.
[2:00] Dustin believes he struggles with comparison more than most.
[3:30] How it feels to compare yourself with others.
[4:00] Our minds can build narratives that back up our false feelings.
[5:00] Fearing all your hard work will evaporate.
[6:00] Remember we are all extremely unique and can’t be duplicated.
[7:20] Dustin talks about his early career nemesis, Ian Barnard.
[8:30] Ian shares what was really happening on the other side of Dustin’s fears.
[9:00] What Ian saw when he looked at Dustin’s product releases.
[10:00] Lisa believes it’s healthy to see your rivals if you use it as a motivator.
[11:00] Dustin explains why you need to be careful using others as motivators.
[12:00] How Dustin vilified Ian.
[13:00] Don’t cheat yourself. Create friends, not villains.
[14:00] Ian talks about a friend he follows that he finds amazing.
[15:00] No one can mimic your backstory. Embrace that.
[16:00] Brand is harder to compete on than commodity.
[17:00] Getting ripped off as an artist pulls your focus.
[18:00] It’s hard to not compare yourself to someone who is ripping off your work.
[19:00] Copycats will always be behind you.
[21:00] You can never be replicated.
[23:00] Creativity is an extension of one’s soul.
[24:10] People who copy you will always struggle because it’s not natural for them.
[25:20] Comparison breeds innovation.
[26:00] You need to turn the ship harder than others have the courage to.
[27:00] Think outside the box.
[28:00] Instagram can be a comparison blessing and a curse.
[29:00] Ian sometimes finds himself comparing himself to Stephan Kunz.
[30:00] Why Pinterest can be a better choice for browsing inspiration.
[31:00] Pinterest is a more relaxing scroll.
[32:00] Find your happy online space.
[33:00] The Big 3 – Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
[34:00] FOMO can be so subtle that you don’t even realize it’s happening.
[35:40] Put hurdles in front of bad habits and remove them for good ones.
[36:00] Discover the best ways to manage yourself.
[37:40] Tom gives us a quick episode overview.
[38:00] Be an ostrich. Lean into your uniqueness. Competitors are not machines.
[39:00] Don’t shy away from collaborations.
[40:00] That’s a wrap.

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