Keeping Up With the Joneses. Is This a Good Thing?

You may have heard at some point in life the saying, “Keeping up with the Joneses.”Where did this phrase come from? Who are the Joneses? What does this mean? Let’s begin with a brief history of where the phrase comes from and who are the Joneses. It dates back to a comic strip created by Arthur R. Jones in 1913, that depicted the social struggles of a family.

The phrase originated from the comic strip “Keeping Up with the Joneses”, created by Arthur R. “Pop” Momand in 1913.The strip ran until 1940 in The New York World and various other newspapers.The strip depicts the social climbing McGinis family, who struggle to “keep up” with their neighbors, the Joneses of the title.

Keeping Up With the Joneses. Is This a Good Thing?

Why was this phrase “Keeping up with the Joneses” relevant then, and why is it still relevant now in our modernized world? The answer to this question can be explained in many different ways and perspectives. Let us give you EntrevisionU’s interpretation of what the phrase “Keeping up with the Joneses” means. Similarly, we will also discuss the motivational aspects of the message and how it can help us live a happier life.

When someone is said to be keeping up with the Joneses, they are comparing themselves to the achievements of others around them. However, after comparing themselves, they try to do better than the person(s) they compare themselves against. This leads to people going sometimes making risky decisions to appear to be better. This becomes a never-ending cycle with no real purpose. This should not be confused with honest and friendly competition, which is encouraged. Keeping up with the Joneses comes from a place of ego, jealousy, and envy. For example, thinking you are superior to others because you have a bigger or newer home falls under this category.

The Positive

Let’s find the silver lining and motivation within this phrase. First, keeping up with the Joneses also means you are striving to be better and do better. Some people in life fail but never try again. If you keep striving based on well-planned goals this is positive. A second positive is that it forces you to be creative and find a way to become better, pushing you to achieve more.

Conclusion

As we conclude our look into the phrase “keeping up with the Joneses,” let’s take a moment to find motivation within it.

This saying often involves comparing ourselves to others, which can be either a healthy push towards self-improvement or a trap of jealousy and ego. The key is how we interpret it.

On the positive side, striving to keep up with others can drive us to be better and more creative. It encourages us to set goals and keep pushing ourselves to achieve them.

In the end, it’s crucial to realize that the choice of whether this phrase motivates or demotivates us lies within ourselves. No one can motivate us like we can. Instead of competing with others, let’s compete with our own potential. Let’s embrace self-motivation and focus on becoming the best versions of ourselves. Remember, the most rewarding journey is the one that leads us to our own personal growth and fulfillment.

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