By Ipupa Fadeyi
Not long ago, a young professional walked up to me and introduced herself. She said she follows my work on social media and as we spoke, I referred her to one of my articles on LinkedIn. That was when she said something that struck a chord with me:
“I had to leave LinkedIn. Every time I go there, I feel like I am not doing enough. Everyone else seems to be far ahead of me.”
Her words touched me, because I remember feeling the same in the early years of my career, often wondering if my pace was too slow and if I was somehow falling behind.I doubted whether my small steps mattered. If I could go back and speak to that younger version of myself, I would tell her what I told this young professional: “You are not behind, you are becoming.”
The Highlight Reel Effect
Here is the truth LinkedIn rarely shows: people post their wins, not their struggles.
You see the job promotions, the new qualifications, the speaking engagements. What you do not see are the dozens of applications that went unanswered, the moments of self-doubt, or the times they felt lost.
If you are scrolling and feeling overwhelmed, remind yourself of this: “LinkedIn is not a scoreboard, it is a tool.” It was never designed to measure who is winning or losing. It is a platform to learn, to connect, and to make yourself visible in meaningful ways.
My Younger Self Needed This Reminder
When I started out, I thought success had a rigid timeline. By a certain age you must achieve this, by the next age you must have that. It took me years to realize that careers unfold differently. Some sprint ahead, others build steadily and some take time to bloom.
If I could whisper to my younger self, I would say: “Success has no universal timeline. Run your own race, even if your pace looks different.”
Your small wins matter. The late nights learning a new skill, the courage it takes to speak up in a meeting, the resilience to keep going after rejection. These may not trend on LinkedIn, but they are building the foundation of your future.
Run Your Own Race
The only real competition is with who you were yesterday. Are you growing? Are you learning? Are you showing up with integrity? That is what counts.
I remember times when I compared myself to peers who seemed far ahead. But when I look back now, I realize my so-called “slow seasons” were actually times of preparation. Growth often happens quietly, in ways that do not make it to a LinkedI post.
So, if LinkedIn feels like a race, slow down and remember: “You are not late. You are in process.”
How to Use LinkedIn Without Losing Yourself
Stepping away from LinkedIn entirely is not the answer. Used well, it is one of the most powerful platforms for your professional journey. The key is to engage with intention, not comparison.
Here are a few practices I wish I had embraced earlier:
- Curate your feed: Follow voices that educate, inspire and align with your values.
- Engage with curiosity, not competition: Ask questions, comment thoughtfully and treat LinkedIn as a classroom, not a race track.
- Share authentically: You do not need a title change to post. Share your lessons, your gratitude, even your challenges. People connect with authenticity more than polished perfection.
- Set boundaries: If scrolling makes you anxious, take a break. Log in with purpose, not passivity.
What I Wish I Knew Then
If I could send a letter to my younger self, it would sound something like this:
Dear younger me, stop worrying about who seems ahead. You are not behind, you are becoming. Trust your pace. Trust the process. LinkedIn is not there to remind you of what you lack, it is there to amplify what you are already building. Keep showing up, keep learning and let your journey unfold. In time, you will see that every step, no matter how small, was preparing you for the leader you are becoming.
And to every young professional reading this: the same is true for you. Your story is still being written. Use LinkedIn as a tool to grow and connect, but do not let it dictate your worth.
Do not let the noise of comparison drown out the truth of your journey. Every step you are taking is shaping you, every delay has purpose, and every season is preparing you for what is ahead. Walk your path with confidence, because your becoming is right on time.
*Ipupa Fadeyi is a Career Coach & Mentor| Founder, IpupaK Grow You
