Comparison is your enemy in a big project

Comparison is your enemy in a big project

Author: Fluent in 3 Months July 31, 2025 Duration: 11:30

In this episode, I talk about something that keeps coming up in my own projects: the trap of comparing yourself to others. When I first started learning Spanish, I’d constantly compare myself to other learners and beat myself up over not being as good. That kind of mindset really messed with my confidence. And now, even after all these years of language learning, I’ve found myself doing the same thing—but this time with running. I’ve been training for a bunch of half marathons, and every time I open up Strava, I see people running faster, longer, and more consistently. It’s easy to start feeling like a failure all over again. But what I’ve learned—both with languages and now with running—is that comparison is a losing game. Everyone has a different starting point, different challenges, and different goals. You can’t compare apples to oranges.

Instead, I’ve found it way more productive to focus on my own progress. Whether I’m improving my pace with running or reaching the next level in a language, the goal is just to be a little better than I was yesterday. I share how I’ve learned to let go of perfectionism and stop chasing the impossible standard of being the “best.” The truth is, no matter how far you go, there will always be someone ahead of you. But that doesn’t mean you’re not doing great. If you stay consistent, you will see improvement—and that’s what really counts. So whatever project you’re working on, whether it’s language learning or something totally different, I hope this episode gives you a bit of encouragement to focus on your own journey and feel proud of how far you’ve come.


If you need one-on-one language guidance, schedule a consultation session with Benny at languagehacking.com/chat.

And don’t forget to check out the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp here!

Or you can follow me on all Social Media channels:
Instagram: @irishpolyglot
Thread: @irishpolyglot
TikTok: @irishpolyglot


There’s a certain magic that happens when you step off a plane and try to order a meal in a language you’re still fumbling through, or when a simple conversation with a stranger on a train opens up an entirely new perspective. Language & Travel Hacking, from the team behind Fluent in 3 Months, lives in those messy, authentic, and profoundly rewarding moments. Host Benny Lewis, a nomadic polyglot and best-selling author, doesn’t just theorize from a studio; he records from the road, sharing raw, real-time experiences and the practical strategies that actually work when you’re navigating a foreign market or building confidence in a new tongue. Each episode feels like a candid chat with a well-traveled friend who’s made all the mistakes so you don’t have to. You’ll hear the sounds of street markets and train stations in the background as Benny breaks down the psychology of language learning, offers actionable tips for picking up phrases quickly, and discusses how travel itself can be the ultimate classroom. This podcast is built on the idea that fluency and cultural connection aren’t distant goals reserved for the gifted, but accessible skills you can hack through smart, intentional practice. It’s for anyone who believes that the deepest way to explore a place is through its language, and that every journey is an opportunity to reshape how you see the world-and yourself. Tune in for honest stories and tangible advice that will change how you approach your next adventure, whether it’s across the globe or right in your own neighborhood.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Language & Travel Hacking
Podcast Episodes
Moving abroad: What to think about (part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:30
In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, host Benny Lewis dives into part two of his guide to preparing for a potential move abroad. Building on the previous episode's core tips, Benny emphasizes the i…
Moving abroad: What to think about (part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:29
In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking podcast, Benny Lewis dives into the essentials of planning a move abroad. Inspired by recent conversations with listeners and current events, Benny shares his insights o…
Improving language skills through learning other new things [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:45
In this episode, Benny shares a unique approach to language learning while traveling: enrolling in local classes for non-language subjects. Benny explains that by taking lessons in activities like dancing, cooking, or ev…
Several tools to share your travel itinerary [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:39
In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, Benny dives into tools for sharing travel itineraries, inspired by his friend Derek Sivers. Benny discusses why sharing travel plans can be useful for friends a…
Using travel to get in shape [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:37
In this episode, Benny shares his inspiring journey of losing 20kg (44lbs) through travel. After reaching 120kg (265lbs) and feeling stuck in unhealthy habits, Benny chose to reset his routine by traveling to the remote…
How I became a polyglot [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:14
In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, Benny revisits the story of how he became a polyglot. He shares his early struggles with maintaining multiple languages, especially during his time learning Spa…
Travel Health Hacks: Avoiding and Managing Illness on the Road [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:55
In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, host Benny Lewis dives into the challenges of staying healthy while traveling. Drawing from 21 years of travel experience, Benny shares his personal stories of…
Escaping Depression? Why Travel Isn't the Answer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:33
In this episode, Benny Lewis shares a personal story about the misconception that travel can cure depression. Reflecting on his own struggles with divorce, clinical depression, and burnout in 2019, Benny explains how he…
Getting detained by the Federal Police: Travel mishap story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:07
In this episode, Benny shares two stories of his experiences trying to extend his stay in Brazil, one in 2006 and the other more recently. The first time, things didn’t go so well. Benny, still new to traveling, didn’t d…
Area codes around the world to help with your travels [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:42
In this episode, Benny explores how knowing area codes can enhance travel experiences and even improve social interactions. When traveling, recognizing phone numbers based on area codes, particularly on apps like WhatsAp…