Filipinos love comparisons and rankings, which is typical in many families.

It's so common that we've been compared to our siblings, cousins, friends, and even neighbors about our grades, skills, awards, and more. Then, when we grow up, we're matched up against others' job titles, marital status, and number of children.

Unfortunately, this toxic form of comparison creeps into our own traits and starts comparing ourselves with others, beginning a new cycle.

Here are three reasons to avoid comparisons.

1. You're using external motivation.

Comparisons can be a good motivator, but it's an external motivation.

For instance, if you're constantly comparing yourself with someone much better than you, then you'll always fall short and feel demotivated. On the other hand, if you beat the previous top performer, you'll be left at the top of the hill, looking for another worthy opponent to compare yourself against.

Comparison as a motivator is short-sighted. Instead, you must develop internal motivation.

2. You'll feel envious easily.

Social media has made it easy for everyone to compare themselves against everyone else.

For example, you opened your Instagram and saw a friend, relative, or classmate having the best days of their lives. But then you look at yourself and see someone doing nothing particularly special. So, you start feeling sorry for yourself and hope to experience it, too.

Comparison can make you feel worse when, in reality, you're doing better than most.

3. It kills your joy.

Theodore Roosevelt said that comparison is the thief of joy.

When we use other people as a yardstick to measure our achievements against, we will always feel inadequate. For instance, if you compare yourself against the best traders in the world, then you might be demotivated. However, if you study for the sake of learning and playing your strength, you'll likely enjoy the process and achieve personal success.

Remember: Unless you're at the top, there will always be someone better than you.

So, try playing with your strengths instead of comparing yourself to them for motivation.