Podcast Summary: Focus on Excellence, NOT Comparison

Podcast: Motivation with Brendon Burchard
Host: Brendon Burchard
Date: March 24, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Brendon Burchard delves into the dangers of comparison and the necessity of focusing on personal excellence. He shares stories, research, and powerful coaching advice for anyone feeling stagnated, pressured by societal expectations, or troubled by constant comparison—especially in today’s social media-driven world. Brendon challenges listeners to tap into their intrinsic impulse for growth, avoid lowering their standards, and instead pursue mastery and authenticity in their lives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Extra Mile and the Human Impulse for Excellence

• Paula Abdul’s “Extra Mile” Lesson:
  Brendon recalls working with Paula Abdul, quoting her insight:
  “The thing about the extra mile that's so great is there's no traffic after the extra mile because so many people, they won't go.” (00:05)
  • Many people avoid pushing themselves due to past discouragement or judgment.
  • Most people settle for survival or mediocrity; high performers deliberately seek more.
• Innate Drive for Growth:
  • Humans are naturally built to grow and evolve.
  • It’s critical to not silence or turn away from that inner drive; it leads to fulfillment, mastery, and legacy.

Avoiding the “Lowest Common Denominator” Mentality

• The Trap of Dumbing Things Down:
  • Brendon shares experiences from book writing and corporate training where he was urged to ‘dumb down’ complex ideas for wider appeal.
  • He warns:
    “Do you want me to train your people to be the lowest common denominator?” (19:30)
  • Lowering standards erodes excellence, culture, and long-term results.
• Raising the Bar:
  • Brendon encourages seeking out groups and mentors who are ahead of you to push your capabilities.
  • The right environment and expectations foster progress, innovation, and resilience.

The Social Influence of Excellence

• Inspiring Others by Doing Your Best:
  • Personal excellence isn’t just about self-mastery but about social impact.
  • “Very few people are ever going to be inspired or have their lives changed by you not showing up as your best.” (24:40)
  • Demonstrating strength, resilience, and kindness—especially during tough times—inspires others to persevere.

The Perils of Social Media: Judgment and Comparison

• Increased Social Media Use Leads to Decreased Joy:
  • Example of a friend whose motivation waned as social media exposure increased during the pandemic.
  • Social media induces constant judgment and comparison, shifting focus from personal progress to others' filtered highlights.
• Comparison As an Evolutionary Tool Gone Awry:
  • While comparison is biologically normal (mirror neurons, social learning), overexposure breeds dissatisfaction and envy.
  • The difference between constructive comparison (inspiration and learning) and destructive comparison (envy, stagnation).

Focusing on Your Own Path

• Run Your Own Race:
  • Brendon advises: “Life's about running your own race. It's about judging yourself based on whether or not this day you showed up as the best of who you are, lived an authentic life for you, where you're at, at this stage of your life…” (34:08)
  • Encourages listeners to measure their lives against their own frameworks and standards—not the curated highlights of others.
• Questions for Self-Reflection:
  • Am I progressing in my life?
  • Am I living authentically?
  • Am I giving my best to the things that matter?

Architecting a Life of Excellence and Fulfillment

• Be Intentional With Attention:
  • Choose what to focus on—don’t let social media dictate your priorities or sense of self.
  • “You get to choose what you pay attention to. What is it? I hope it's the things that are important to you.” (39:50)
• Excellence Is an Ongoing, Personal Journey:
  • It's vital to reclaim ambition and aim for challenge over comfort.
  • Your path to fulfillment involves regular, conscious self-improvement, not comparison to others.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the importance of the extra mile:
  “The thing about the extra mile that's so great is there's no traffic after the extra mile because so many people, they won't go.” — Paula Abdul (as quoted by Brendon, 00:22)

• On staying motivated:
  “It's momentum that builds increased motivation. Well, the difference is there's momentum to nowhere, and there's momentum to our best.” — Brendon (07:51)

• On resisting mediocrity:
  “Beware of being around people who tell you to dumb it down, bring it to the lowest common denominator. Just fit in, don't rock the boat, because those people are not putting you on the path to your best.” — Brendon (22:05)

• On inspiration and social influence:
  “Very few people are ever going to be inspired or have their lives changed by you not showing up as your best.” — Brendon (24:40)

• On the impact of social media:
  “Average Americans are consuming over 60 minutes of social media a day, which is costing them weeks of their adult lives every year.” — Brendon (28:48)

• On comparison:
  “Comparison becomes a virus in your mind. And now almost everything you filter your life through is through the lens of what other people have enjoyed or are doing versus yourself.” — Brendon (31:50)

• On running your own race:
  “Life's about running your own race. It's about judging yourself based on whether or not this day you showed up as the best of who you are...” — Brendon (34:08)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00 – 03:30: The extra mile and setting the stage for excellence
• 04:00 – 10:30: Why people fall into mediocrity and understanding the impulse for more
• 11:00 – 19:30: Brendon’s book-writing experience, pitfalls of dumbing down, and culture of excellence
• 22:00 – 25:00: The power of role models and social influence
• 26:30 – 33:00: The dangers of social media—judgment, comparison, and the loss of joy
• 33:00 – 36:00: How to avoid destructive comparison; the importance of building your own framework
• 38:30 – End: Choosing your attention, the call to architect an intentional life of excellence

Final Takeaways

Brendon’s central message is clear: strive for your personal best, not someone else’s version of success. He urges listeners to be mindful of comparison, especially when amplified by social media, and to instead channel energy into meaningful growth, contribution, and authenticity. True excellence, he reminds us, is not just about personal mastery but also about inspiring and uplifting others along the way.