Don’t Be Mad ’Cause I’m Doin’ Me Better Than You Doin’ You.

I love me some rap and R&B. My top three men have to be Childish Gambino, Chance, and Logic. These guys are fucking talented. Childish’s Camp is probably one of my favorite albums of all time (party trick: I know all the lyrics to Bonfire).

The title of this story is a line from a Childish song called IV. Sweatpants off the album Because the Internet. It’s so good, you guys. It’s badass, but it’s message is also about something I truly believe in: genuinely celebrating your own success and leaving your haters in your wake.

No matter what you do, whether it’s minor like getting out of bed for an early morning workout, or it’s something bigger like landing a sick new job, there will always be people who will rain on your parade. Why? Because it’s not them who broke a sweat at a 5:30am Pure Barre class. It’s not them that landed their dream job at a startup. It’s not them who are happy about what they’ve accomplished.

They’re probably going to be mad that you’re doing you better than they’re doing them. There will always be people who try and tear you down and diminish what you’ve worked hard on because your light is casting a shadow on them.

So let them.

At the end of the day, you have found success.

If you’re doing well, clap for your damn self. You worked hard to accomplish whatever it is you accomplished. Simply say, don’t be mad that I’m doin’ me better than you doin’ you.

As with all things, however, there is a flip side to this.

Don’t you dare turn around and be a hater when someone else is doing better in that moment. This system doesn’t work like that. This is a pay-it-forward style mentality.

There is so much shit in this world, so much hate, so many instances of others bringing others down.

So choose positivity.

Choose putting your peers on pedestals when they deserve to shine.

Don’t hate. Don’t be jealous. Don’t try to bring others down. Raise them up, and when it’s your turn, they will return the favor.

It’s time to get positive. Here are some ways to help you start doin’ you better and to be more positive in the process:

Get inspired.

If you’re not doin’ you so well, look to those who are. Look to your peers, your mentors, even thought leaders in your field who are only a few years out from where you are. Learn, get inspired, and know that it’s not so far, and totally attainable.

Get to work.

Nothing is going to land in your lap. At least not without you working for it first. Determine your goals and plan accordingly. And most importantly, hold yourself accountable to what you want to happen for yourself. Start small, but stick to your overall game plan.

Clap for your damn self.

And, more importantly, clap for others. If something cool happens due to your hard work, get happy! But remember: this doesn’t work if you don’t celebrate others’ success too. Acknowledge when your peers, co-workers, or whoever you interact with regularly achieve something that means something. Take time out of working on tip #2 and celebrate those around you. High fives are great. Notes are cool. Cake is better. Whatever the occasion calls for, make sure they feel seen.

So let’s choose positivity and celebrate each other. Deal?

Aleksa Narbutaitis is the Creative Director at SimplyBe. Agency.

Join my #badassniche following on Instagram + Twitter: @alnarbuu.