How does other people's success make you feel?

Unless you're Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, or some other ridiculously wealthy person, there is always going to be someone who is more successful than you are, at least financially. How does that make you feel? I think other people's success can bring out a spectrum of feelings. Starting from the crappy end, you can be jealous and hateful. You can complain that the 1%-ers get preferential treatment, claim that these people were raised with a silver spoon in their mouths, and say that they don't deserve what they have. You can spew hate on social media or any other channel. That's pure negativity. Moving up the spectrum one step, you can be envious. You don't have what other successful people have, but you want it. There is definitely less outward hating going on, but inside you stew a little bit that others are further along than you are. Next on the scale is indifference. Maybe you don't really care about other people's success and you're cool with your current situation. Finally, there is inspiration. Seeing others' success motivates you to work harder, continue to learn, and achieve more. Witnessing how others have found their path in life makes you believe you can do the same and attain those levels of happiness, wealth, and satisfaction. It doesn't always have to be about the money, either. Success can be defined by your personal and social life, fitness and health, career, or some combination of those and other factors. For me, in terms of my personal life, I'm indifferent and content. I have an amazing family, great friends, and a beautiful home in a great city. I'm healthy and happy. Regarding my career, I feel a mixture of envy and inspiration. I can't help but be envious of other people's career success, primarily because I haven't quite found where I want to be and thus I haven't gotten there yet. I haven't made the impact that I'd like to as an entrepreneur, so I'm naturally envious of those who have. But I do think it's a healthy envy that inspires me to work harder, get smarter, and keep grinding. I want what others have, and I'm not talking about money. I want to launch and grow a company and have a positive impact on people's lives, like many other entrepreneurs have done. So how does other people's success make you feel?

I’d love to hear from you. Write your thoughts in the comments, tweet at me @mikewchan, or email me at mike@mikewchan.com.

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