The Comparison Trap in Athletics

One of the most common themes that comes up in my private sessions with athletes is comparison. Whether it is looking at a teammate, an opponent, or even their past self when dealing with injury or a slump, comparison is often at the root of challenges with confidence and mindset.

Why We Compare

First, let’s normalize it. Comparison is part of being human. Our brains are wired to do it. It’s how we adapted and survived for thousands of years. Seeing how others performed helped us make decisions about safety, belonging, and growth. So if you catch yourself comparing, it does not mean you are “mentally weak,” it means you are human.

My Experience With Comparison

Comparison has been both a blessing and a curse in my own playing journey.

When I was a young freshman stepping onto the field at a Division II national powerhouse, I was surrounded by players with All-American accolades and even some who competed for their national teams back home. The gap between where I was and where they were felt massive. Instead of letting that overwhelm me, I leaned into it. I studied what they did, I observed their training habits, their mindset, their composure, and I used that comparison as fuel to raise my own level.

But there’s another side. Comparison hasn’t always been productive for me. Even now, still playing in open soccer leagues at 41, I sometimes catch myself comparing my current abilities to the younger version of me; the one who could run endlessly, recover quickly, and compete at the top level. Or I find myself sizing up the 20-year-olds who can physically run circles around me. And honestly, in those moments, comparison steals from my enjoyment. At this stage in life, joy is the only reason I’m playing, so why would I give that away by focusing on what I can no longer do?

The Dangers of Comparison

That is the trap. You cannot control what others are doing, and you cannot go back to a past version of yourself. Staying stuck in that thought loop pulls you out of the present moment, the only place athletes can actually perform and thrive.

Flipping Comparison Into Growth

Comparison is not always negative if we use it with intention. When it shows up, try asking:

• What can I learn from what I am noticing?

• Is this about their habits, focus, or mindset skills?

• Is there something they do that I can apply to my own game?

That shifts comparison from a thief of joy to a tool for growth.

Final Thought

Comparison is inevitable. The key is deciding how to use it. Will it pull you away from your goals and enjoyment, or will it push you forward and give you something to learn from?

For me, it is still a work in progress, but awareness is where it starts.