218: Know Who You Are and Don’t Rush
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Socrates, a famous Greek philosopher once said, “To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom.” I might not know what he had in mind at that time, but I do know that discovering your true self is the best thing you can ever do to yourself. Why? Because when you know who you are, you don’t look for validation from others. You just do what feels right for you. But the best thing of all is it allows you to bypass the numerous trial and errors caused by putting energy into the wrong things. I believe that once you know yourself, it’s easier to become more confident, understand your purpose, and start making a bigger impact on the world. Remember, knowing yourself creates the space for you to be happy, and not rushing yourself creates opportunities for you to evolve.
Know Yourself and Discover Who You Truly Are – 01:10
If you know me, you’ll know that I enjoy reflecting on how far I’ve come and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. This way, I get to appreciate the highs, the lows as well as the good and the bad aspects of my journey. That said; one of the things that stuck with me in one of these recollection sessions is the idea of “knowing yourself.” A lot of experienced people have talked to me about the benefits of knowing yourself. And as much as I try to ruminate on every lesson I learn from people, I don’t know why it was only until recently that I fully processed the concept of knowing yourself.
So, what does knowing yourself truly mean? First, not everything you can know about yourself is worth finding out. Second, knowing yourself is the easiest path to greater happiness and fulfillment. However, even if you know the core aspects of your life, it’s hard to remain true to yourself because society’s values will often conflict with your own. But here’s the thing, if you want to have a better relationship with yourself and your loved ones, be and know the best version of yourself. Don’t be distracted by the way you wish you were, or the way you assume you should be.
The Reason Why You Shouldn’t Rush Yourself – 07:01
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received in life is to take it slow. Eve, don’t rush yourself! I know how easy it is to get caught up in this fast-paced world and get too excited about achieving success faster. But here’s the thing; although you feel like you’re in a race against time, the truth is, you’re not. You’re not racing against anyone and you don’t have to have it all figured out quite yet. Sadly, we are all humans and it’s easy to start comparing yourself to others and seeing the world as one big competition. However, you’ve got to understand that nobody cares how fast you move. It’s all in your head.
If you’re too hard on yourself and always trying to rush things, you’re never going to be happy. Have the mindset that although you haven’t made it to your destination, you can always be grateful for the journey. I believe that “making it to the top” can become a toxic process if you’re impatient.