You vs You: Why Comparison is a Trap
It’s Monday again—the start of another week full of training, progress, and opportunities. But let’s be honest: nothing kills momentum faster than the comparison game.
You see someone else posting podium shots, flying around the course, or celebrating wins, and suddenly your own progress feels… small. But here’s the truth: comparison is a trap that steals your focus, your joy, and your power.
Agility is not you vs. them—it’s you vs. you.
Every handler is on their own timeline. Some have years of experience, others have access to facilities or funding you don’t. Some have a dog at the peak of their career, while yours might just be starting out. None of that changes the fact that your only real competition is the person you were yesterday.
When you compare yourself to others, you hand them the steering wheel of your confidence. When you focus on you vs. you, you take it back.
Here’s how to shift:
Track your own data. Did your dog shave seconds off their weave time? Did you hold a stronger start line this week than last? That’s progress—whether or not anyone’s watching.
Run your lane. You don’t need to be at the same stage as anyone else. You need to keep moving forward in your lane, with your dog, on your journey.
Fuel your fire. Let others’ success inspire you, not crush you. If someone’s ahead of you, it doesn’t mean you’re behind. It means there’s proof of what’s possible.
The best athletes in this sport don’t waste energy comparing—they invest it in becoming sharper, faster, more connected with their dogs.
So this Monday, remember: it’s you vs. you. If you can finish the week stronger, faster, more focused than you started, then you’re already winning.
Don’t chase their path. Build yours.
