Start Where You Are—Not Where You Think You Should Be

How to Set Grounded Goals Without Falling into the Comparison Trap

Kamy Charles

6/10/20251 min read

a poster with a graphic of a chart of a chart of a bar chart
a poster with a graphic of a chart of a chart of a bar chart

The Pressure to Be “Further Ahead”

We’ve all felt it—the subtle panic of watching others announce promotions, launch businesses, or reach milestones you haven’t touched yet.

But here's the truth:

📌 Comparison isn’t clarity.

📌 Perfectionism isn’t progress.

📌 And shame is not a strategy.

The fastest way to sabotage your next step… is trying to leap from someone else’s timeline.

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Why Grounded Goals Work Better

Grounded goal setting starts with honesty over hype. It centers where you are, not just where you wish you were.

Ask yourself:

What’s true for me right now?

What capacity do I have this week?

What would progress look like without pressure?

That’s your real starting line.

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How to Start From Where You Are (Not Where You Should Be)

1. Audit Your Now

Instead of chasing outcomes, check in:

What’s working?

What’s draining you?

What’s one area craving attention?

2. Redefine Progress as Micro-Momentum

Choose goals you can actually feel progress toward this week:

Sending one networking email

Applying to one job

Booking one 30-minute learning session

Small steps build self-trust.

3. Silence the "Shoulds"

That voice saying you should be further ahead?

It’s not wisdom. It’s comparison in disguise.

Replace “I should be…” with “I’m ready to…”

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Final Thought: Your Starting Point Is Enough

You’re not late. You’re not behind.

You’re just in your own lane—and that’s the only one that matters.

So start small. Start now.

✨ Start where you are.