You’re on your own timeline, and it’s more powerful than you think.
A question I hear often in mentoring conversations is: “How do I stop feeling like I’m behind everyone else?”
It usually shows up after scrolling LinkedIn and seeing a peer land a big promotion, or when a friend casually mentions their new title, salary bump, or dream role. Suddenly, the highlight reel comparison trap kicks in. And you start wondering: Am I moving too slowly? Did I miss my chance?
(By the way, I also occasionally suffer from these self-limiting thoughts, and it’s not fun!)
The truth is careers aren’t linear. They’re not highways where everyone merges into the fast lane at the same pace. They’re more like networks of side streets, with detours, pauses, and unexpected shortcuts.
What looks like “falling behind” from the outside is often someone else’s carefully staged snapshot or just a different path entirely.
But that doesn’t mean the feeling isn’t real. So what can you do when it hits?
Try this three-part reframe:
1️⃣ Zoom out. Instead of asking “Why am I not there yet?”, ask “What skills, experiences, or relationships am I building right now that my future self will thank me for?” Progress often hides in plain sight.
2️⃣ Define your finish line. Behind compared to whom? If you don’t know what you’re aiming for, you’ll always measure yourself against someone else’s scoreboard. Write down what success looks like in the next 12 months; your definition, not theirs.
3️⃣ Play the long game. Careers aren’t won in a single move. They’re built on consistency, visibility, and the courage to take the next step even if it’s small. Ten quiet but strategic moves today can matter more than one flashy leap tomorrow.
So the next time you catch yourself thinking you’re “late,” pause and remember: you’re not behind. You’re building. And that’s a very different—and far more empowering—place to be.
Let me leave you with this: If you trusted that you weren’t behind, what would you choose to do differently this week?
Until next time…
Mal
Founder, The Ideas Accelerator
Helping you grow your career with strategic insight and smarter tools.