LinkedIn Is Not the Scoreboard
Scroll Less. Build More.
LinkedIn is a powerful platform. It’s a place to network, build your professional brand, and celebrate achievements. But let’s be honest. LinkedIn is still social media, and like every other social platform, it encourages a carefully curated version of reality.
For entrepreneurs, that can be especially tricky. The temptation to compare yourself to others is constant, and it’s easy to measure your progress against someone else’s highlight reel.
The Temptation to Compare
When I was growing Seir Hill, my non-alcoholic spirits brand, I often found myself scrolling LinkedIn and watching other brands announce big wins. A competitor would post about landing a major retail account or winning an award, and almost immediately I’d feel behind. I’d question my progress, my decisions, and sometimes my ability to build the business at all.
The reality is simple. LinkedIn, like Instagram or Facebook, shows only a slice of the picture, and it’s the most flattering slice. People post wins, not doubts. Milestones, not missteps. That doesn’t make it dishonest, but it does make it incomplete.
The Best Advice I Ever Got
During one of those moments of frustration, my wife gave me some of the best advice I’ve ever received. Ignore the competition.
It sounds obvious, but it changed how I approached both my business and LinkedIn. Instead of reacting emotionally to what others were doing, I started reminding myself of a basic truth. The only thing I can control is my own work.
I don’t know the full story behind anyone else’s success. I don’t see their cash flow problems, internal stress, missed deadlines, or quiet failures. What I can do is show up every day, do the work in front of me, and trust that consistency compounds over time.
LinkedIn Is a Tool, Not a Scoreboard
That doesn’t mean LinkedIn isn’t valuable. It’s an excellent tool for networking, building relationships, and establishing credibility. But it should be used intentionally.
If you’re spending more time scrolling and comparing than building, it’s worth reassessing how you use the platform.
Instead of treating LinkedIn like a competition, treat it like a resource. Celebrate other people’s wins without letting them diminish your own progress. Remember that what you’re seeing is the surface, not the full story underneath.
Comparison Really Is the Thief of Joy
Theodore Roosevelt’s line still holds up. Comparison is the thief of joy.
For founders, comparison does more than steal joy. It steals focus. Every minute spent measuring yourself against someone else is a minute not spent improving your product, sharpening your skills, or making the next smart decision.
Nobody is perfect. Not on LinkedIn, not in business, not in real life. Everyone has setbacks, doubts, and moments where they wonder if they’re doing it right. The difference between those who keep going and those who stall often comes down to where they place their attention.
If LinkedIn is leaving you discouraged, take a step back. Refocus on what you’re building. Measure progress against where you were six months ago, not against someone else’s announcement post.
LinkedIn can be useful, but it should never define your worth or your success. Keep your head down, keep doing the work, and in my experience, things tend to move in the right direction.
SoberFounder is a place for entrepreneurs and operators who are building serious things without alcohol in the picture. If that resonates, subscribe to stay connected and receive new essays on business, clarity, and life after drinking.