Visionary's Pursuit

78. Are You Behind?

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Episode Summary

Years after starting my coaching business, I met a woman who had launched hers around the same time. Her revenue was $10 million a year and mine wasn't even close. My first instinct was to feel like I was failing, especially because on paper, my resume was stronger. In this episode, I walk through the honest assessment I did of our differences, what it revealed about the choices I had made and why I ultimately hired her as my mentor.

If you've ever looked at a competitor, a peer, or even an old friend and felt the weight of being behind, this episode offers a different way to process that feeling without letting it sink your ship.

Key Takeaways

  • The feeling of being "behind" is one of the most common experiences for founders, and it often masks a deeper belief that we are somehow not enough
  • When we compare ourselves to others, the first question to ask is whether we're comparing to another person or to an arbitrary expectation we set for ourselves before we had enough information
  • The expectations we create for our businesses are hypotheses, not guarantees. Treating them as promises we were owed creates a sense of entitlement that holds us back
  • Feeling urgency, shame, or contraction after comparing ourselves is a sign the thought is limiting us rather than serving us
  • Comparison becomes useful when it moves us toward curiosity instead of self-punishment. Asking "why are they ahead?" from a place of genuine learning reveals skill gaps, focus gaps, and strategic differences we can act on
  • Hiring someone who is further ahead than you requires an abundance mindset. Viewing competitors as proof that the market has room, rather than proof that you're losing, changes everything

    • Memorable Quotes

    • "I love comparing to others when it serves me as inspiration and fuel to continue pursuing what I really want."
    • "It is what we do with the thought that will empower us, connect us to our desires, show us the skills we wanna develop, inspire us to get better."

      • Connect with Carolina:

      • Website: carozuleta.com
      • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/carolinazuletacoaching
      • Interested in coaching? Request a consult here: carozuleta.com/consult

        • Subscribe & Review: If this episode was helpful, please drop a rating and give us a follow. Your support helps other entrepreneurs discover the show and enables us to continue creating this free content.

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        Visionary's PursuitBy Carolina Zuleta