The Campbell Academy Blog (102)

Australian Comparison

This week, on our Digital Dental Entrepreneurial Program, and the introduction starts on Slack, one of the delegates (Andrew Brown from New Zealand) reminded us all of the genius of Tim Minchin by posting a video to help people frame the why and vision of their business.

Andrew posted it basically to say if you're having trouble figuring this out, why not look at what Tim has to say?

I've forgotten about Tim Minchin.

He is a genius beyond other geniuses, someone who can make you laugh and cry.

Many years ago, I realised as one of the loveliest things we did with our Children, we took them to see Matilda in London, which was written by Tim Minchin.

It was totally different to what you would expect and absolutely magnificent.

It's still running, and you should go and see it.

But what Andrew shared was a commencement speech from the University of Western Australia where Tim Minchin gives nine lessons for life in the most Tim Minchin-type way.

What I realised was the most crucial bit of that that spoke to me was a comparison section.

"Comparison is the thief of joy", and it's something that we have to teach our Children; in fact, it's too late to teach many of our Children.

Looking at someone else and comparing what they have or do or how they are and then putting ourselves down because we're not as good at that is the most toxic of things.

I have tried for years and years now to remove that from my life as much as possible, but it sneaks in because any time you're part of society, you're part of comparison.

I find myself getting carried away and trying to get the things that other people have or do the things that they do until I end up exhausted and unsatisfied and back to where I'm supposed to be.

Well done, Andrew and well done, Tim, for reminding me of the path I am supposed to be on.