I don’t need to set the world on fire

They say comparison is the thief of joy – and they are right.

Last week, I had a great week. Not set-the-world-on-fire great, but a solid, satisfying week. I’ve been working with a great customer, making real progress on their project. It felt good, a fair week’s pay for a fair week’s work, as my dad used to say.

This morning, I opened LinkedIn for the first time in weeks. Within minutes, I felt deflated. Everyone seemed to be doing better: more customers, bigger projects, faster growth. Suddenly, that sense of contentment I’d had yesterday vanished.

When I stay off social media, I notice how much happier and more focused I am. I’m not comparing myself to other people. I’m not distracted by what everyone else is doing. I’m simply doing my work, and that’s the part I actually enjoy.

The trouble with comparison isn’t just that it makes you feel worse, it also pulls you away from who you are. When you’re busy looking at what others are doing, you forget what you’re about.

That’s something we understand deeply at We Make Media. Our background in publishing has taught us that the most powerful marketing isn’t about shouting louder, it’s about speaking clearly in your own way. Every business has a story that sets it apart. The challenge is finding it and telling it honestly.

When I’m offline, I focus on what really matters: doing good work for good people. I’m not chasing likes or trying to keep up appearances. I’m focused on the kind of work that helps real businesses grow, websites that work, designs that tell your story clearly, and projects built on honesty, not hype.

There’s no silver bullet. No secret formula. Just turning up, putting in the effort, and being honest about what you do.

I don’t need to set the world on fire. I just want to work with a small number of good people, do a great job, and care for their businesses as much as I care for my own.

And when I stay off social media, that feels like enough.

At We Make Media, we build websites, magazines and books that are clear, effective and authentic. No gimmicks, no jargon – just thoughtful design and meaningful content that helps you tell your story and stand out for the right reasons.

If that sounds like what you’re looking for, we’d love to hear from you.

Jeff Cooper. 19 October 2025

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