Are You Comparing… or Constructively Comparing? A few days ago, I was having a conversation with a friend about comparisons. We were talking about how they often make us feel “less than.” But in that moment, a thought struck me: not all comparisons are harmful. Some can actually be constructive, just like criticism. We all know about constructive criticism. It stings a little, but it helps you grow. I believe the same goes for comparison too. Comparison usually gets a bad name. People often say “don’t compare yourself to others.” And yes, unhealthy comparison steals joy. But not all comparison is harmful. Let's think about constructive comparison. Think about it: 👉 How do you know what’s possible if you never look at someone ahead of you? 👉 How do you find gaps to improve if you never measure yourself against a standard? For example, if you’re learning to code and see someone already building full projects, instead of feeling discouraged you can see what skills they’ve mastered that you haven’t yet. Maybe it’s handling APIs, or writing cleaner logic. That awareness gives you a clear roadmap of what to practice next. When used intentionally, comparison can be a mirror. It shows you: 👉 What’s possible for someone like you 👉 Which gaps you can bridge with practice 👉 Where you can pick inspiration instead of envy Take sales as an example: if another person is closing deals more consistently than you, instead of thinking “I’m just not good at this,” you can study their approach. Maybe they ask better discovery questions, maybe they follow up faster, maybe their pitch highlights the customer’s pain more clearly. Each gap you notice becomes a clue for your own improvement. So, instead of saying “They’re ahead, I’m behind,” ask yourself: 👉 “What can I learn from the way they got there?” 👉 “Which habits or systems of theirs can I borrow?” 👉 “What would happen if instead of feeling behind, I used their success as a roadmap?” The trick is to compare with CURIOSITY, not insecurity. If done with curiosity, it can give you direction, clarity, and even the driving force.

I never enjoyed being called a princess. It always felt like a label for someone fragile, waiting to be saved. But recently, in the Mavi app, Sir @Haroon Khalil called us the Upwork Queens… and that title really clicked with me. A queen isn’t waiting for rescue. She makes decisions, builds strategies, and carries herself with self-respect. She creates opportunities for herself and others. That simple word change gave me a fresh perspective: the way we identify ourselves shapes the way we show up in the world. When we start seeing ourselves as “queens” not in a fairy-tale sense, but as women of value, discipline, and confidence, we naturally carry more self-esteem and self-esteem is the foundation of freelancing, growth, and leadership. So here’s my takeaway: don’t wait for crowns to be given, wear your own with pride. ✨

When you start learning a new skill, it’s tempting to jump straight into building things on your own. But a proven way to accelerate your progress is to follow a simple three-step process: first learn, then copy, then create. Here’s how it works: 1. Learn the basics: Start with the simple theory and foundational concepts so you understand the core building blocks. 2. Copy projects: Pick 10–20 existing projects and try to replicate them. Copying helps you see how the concepts are applied in real situations. 3. Create your own projects: Once you’ve copied enough projects, you’ll notice patterns, shortcuts, and confidence building up. That’s the point where you can start making your own original work. The beauty of this framework is that it removes the pressure of “being creative” too early. By first standing on the shoulders of proven examples, you build skill and confidence, and when you finally create, you’re not starting from zero, but you’re building on solid ground.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Muslims have an unmatched potential for greatness. Of course, it starts with trusting in Allah, but after that, it comes down to one key ability: The ability to delay gratification. Alex Hormozi says the most successful people are those who can wait for bigger rewards instead of chasing instant pleasure. A Muslim practices this every day avoiding what’s haram now for blessings that may only come in the Hereafter. Tell me, who else in the world can master patience and self-discipline like that? NO ONE. This single skill delayed gratification is the foundation of all other skills. That’s why a Muslim can truly excel in this world and the next

You keep saying you don’t have time. But your screen time says otherwise. Hours on TikTok. Hours on Instagram. Hours scrolling, liking, commenting… And then you wonder why your goals are still just dreams. Your phone isn’t just a tool. It’s your biggest distraction. It steals your focus, kills your discipline, and feeds your brain garbage. The worst part? You don’t even control it anymore. Your phone controls you. One ping, one notification and boom, your focus is gone for 30 minutes. While you’re busy scrolling, someone else is building. While you’re wasting hours, someone else is getting paid. Your phone could be your best investment such as books, courses, clients, connections. But instead, you treat it like a toy. If you don’t fix this, forget success. Because no matter how big your goals are, they don’t stand a chance against a screen that eats 6 hours of your life every single day.