When we think about life. Life is all relative.

There are very few things in this world where the absolutes matter.

I am a better investor – because I beat the markets by 1%.
I am a better cook – because my family likes my food more than eating out.
I am fitter – because I can run, swim, and bike more than my friends.

We are comparing ourselves to some benchmark.

That’s what makes it relative.

Even take things that seem absolute in nature.

Height – well, if all human beings are 2.5 feet tall and you are 3.5 feet tall, you are tall
Weight – if all human beings weigh 100 lbs and you weigh 150 lbs, you are overweight
Strength – if all human beings could bench 225 and you bench 65, you are weak.

Even things that we measure directly, the absolute number does not really matter.

It only becomes relevant when we compare it to the performance of others.

Aka benchmarking.

This is where comparison comes from.

In order to know how well we are doing, we look at what those around us are doing.

This is both good and bad.

Good in the sense that we can be pushed to improve and beat the standard.

Bad in that we may lose focus on ourselves in that journey.

So, while we should be aware of where we stand relative to others, once we realize that we must turn our attention back to ourselves.

And, make it relative to our past performance.

Not the performance of others.

I want to get stronger. So, every two weeks, I should see where I stand relative to my past performance.

Bottom-line? Use the law of relativity against yourself to seek constant improvement.