Stop racing someone else’s timeline
Have you ever opened LinkedIn on a random Tuesday and immediately felt… behind?
Someone just got promoted. Someone else is announcing a big role change. Someone is “excited to share” something that makes you quietly wonder if you missed a memo about how careers are supposed to progress.
Meanwhile, you’re doing solid work. Maybe even great work.
It just doesn’t look flashy. Or public. Or linear.
And suddenly a question creeps in: Am I falling behind?
Here’s the reframe I wish more of us talked about: feeling behind doesn’t usually mean you are behind. It usually means you’re comparing two very different stories without seeing the full picture.
Careers don’t move in straight lines. They expand, contract, pause, zigzag. Some seasons are about visible progress—titles, promotions, shiny milestones. Other seasons are quieter. You’re building judgment. Learning how to navigate people. Figuring out what you don’t want. Strengthening skills that won’t show up in an announcement post but will matter later.
The real problem is that we treat their highlight reel as our measuring stick.
And when you do that, it’s easy to overlook your own momentum.
So what do you do when everyone else seems ahead?
Start by changing the question. Instead of “Why am I not there yet?” try:
- What am I building right now that isn’t immediately visible?
- What skills or experiences am I gaining that Future Me will thank me for?
- Where am I growing—even if it doesn’t come with a title?
Then get practical. If comparison keeps pulling you off course, give yourself something more grounded to track. Not promotions or timelines, but signals of progress you can actually influence.
Things like:
- Am I taking on work that stretches me, even if it’s uncomfortable?
- Am I clearer about my strengths than I was six months ago?
- Am I having better conversations with my manager, my peers, myself?
One more thing that always helps me: remember that careers aren’t races. They are negotiations between opportunity, timing, readiness, and life. Sometimes slowing down is the strategy. Sometimes staying put is what allows you to move smarter later.
So if today you’re feeling behind, here’s your permission slip to pause the comparison and look closer at your own path. There may be more movement there than you think.
Until next time…
Mal
Founder, The Ideas Accelerator
Helping you grow your career with strategic insight and smarter tools.