Rise above a jaded self-image

How you perceive yourself has a tremendous impact on what you do with your life and whether you will evolve to fulfill your destiny.  Do you dream parts of you were different than you think they are? Would you like to be able to work toward greater self-acceptance?

How you perceive yourself is like a portrait.  Who do you envision when you peer into the mirror?  Do you imagine a particular livelihood with its associated uniform, accessories and mindset?  What you choose to see in yourself may not be an accurate depiction of your core self.  How often do you make assumptions about "what is best?"  All perceptions have influences.  Learn to distinguish yours.

Many people are unsure how to separate their identity from what they do for a living.  They evolve into a role and condition themselves to think like people do around them.  Perhaps this sounds like you?  Maybe you feel confident, 'in your element' (so to speak) or at ease in your life, with what you wear and what you do.  This would mean you know yourself well enough to be honest and make choices that make you feel good about yourself.  You happiness would glow. 

In the case you feel unhappy, insecure, unworthy, unattractive, inferior or negative in other ways, your life choices will likely reflect your inner thoughts.   You might hear yourself say, "I'm not good enough" or "I'm ugly" or "they will never choose me."  If you reinforce thoughts that you will never accomplish anything meaningful, and this is what you choose to believe, then you may have poor self-esteem and you're unlikely to realize your potential.  Even if you don't feel like this, you may know people who would fit this profile.

Whatever your self-image, its worthwhile to realize that you are loved and appreciated.  You have skills that can benefit others.  Are you using them?  You may not realize that how you feel inside governs the choices you make, the relationships you nurture, and plans you work toward.  What other people say about you tends to affect how you feel about yourself.  Yet, whether or not you realize it, you also impose images on yourself. Consider the clothes and images which draw your attention.  Do they reflect your personality? 

Your abilities and accomplishments can be guided by examples, but what you do with your life, where you go and what you accomploish for whom, is ultimately your choice.  Each decision you make shapes your character.  Who you were yesterday doesn't have to be who you are tomorrow.  Even your shortcomings are part of you that can teach you something useful if you choose to learn.  personal growth is a choice.  As you reflect on your past, you have the power to gain valuable insight which can build your confidence and encourage continued learning. 

John Wood & 3 Thoughts to review your dreams

John Wood dreamed of big responsibilities at Microsoft and became a senior charge of forging software markets in Asia in the 1990s. While that part of the world, he went on a soul-searching trip to the Himalayas.  This experience triggered a revelation about a much deeper calling.  Instead of serving as a refreshing change of scenery from life in the rat race, it caused him to re-direct his boundless energy and entrepreneurship in completely new directions. 

To the surprise of his peers, he decided to resign from Microsoft  and create Room to Read.  As of late 2006, this organisation had already donated over 1.2 million books, established more than 2,600 libraries and 200 schools, and sent 1,700 girls to school on scholarship, and enabled over 875,000 children to access the priceless gift of education they wouldn't otherwise have touched.  The idea of strapping books to a yak and trekking to high altitudes may not be your ultimate desire, but you may be inspired by John Wood to examine your life and re-evaluate your dreams:

1) Ask yourself if your career is all-consuming.  Some people discover they have convinced themselves they love what they do and they realize they forget why.  If you feel you're involved in some activity for the wrong reasons, this is a sign to take steps outside your comfort zone.  Allowing yoruself to become consumed by some pursuit as a means of escape from other things isn't the answer that is best for you. Your conditions are actually drawing your attention to something beneath the surface.  Its up to you to determine why you aren't caring for your needs.

2) Do you feel you do something lasting and significant?  Whatever your focus, consider what kind of legacy you are leaving and for whom.  You set an example for people you know and people you don't know.  What you leave behind can be things like lasting reputation, a structure, a foundation, a sense of motivation and inspiration that is contagious for other people who can contribute and ultimately continue what you start.    

3) Are your pursuits compatible with your deepest values?  Certain people make choices based on money alone, yet these people aren't usually happy at the core.  Reflect on your beliefs and whether how you devote your time enables you to share yourself and those things you perceive as important. The more you encourage people to develop themselves in an area you value, the more you are actually expressing love, reinforcing human connections and justifying your own inner passion.  The more time you spend on specific pursuits, the higher the priority these things should have for you.  If you don't commit to what you love, are you not wasting time?

*I highly recommend the book Leaving Microsoft to Change the World: An Entrepreneur's Odyssey to Educate the World's Children by John Wood (Harper Collins, 2006)

You are what you believe

When you feel as though you're mistreated or overlooked, you have choices about how to view what has happened and how to feel inside. Depending on how you perceive how you are treated you determine if its urgent to act or whether it is more prudent to bide your time.

I know a guy who was struggling to ascend the corporate ladder. He felt that he met obstacles every step of the way. Although he was known to do more than was expected, he was criticized by superiors for not achieving enough. Although he was conscientious and significantly increased his sales, he was repeatedly snubbed by co-workers who nabbed some of his clients. Although he was diligent and submitted reports on-time, computers would crash and digest precious documents before his big presentations. Still, he kept a cool head, remained open to learning, and told himself all his hard work would pay off. He didn't harbor pain or negative feelings. He decided every experience was meant to reveal useful things.

Time passed, some of his dishonest peers were promoted to the next level but he wasn't. Still, he refused to be discouraged. He simply told himself that he was meant for something more suitable and had to be patient. Rather than dwell on what he wasn't doing, he focused on what he was doing, only better than before. He decided reasons exist for everything and if he wasn't ready to understand why he was where he was, then he wouldn't have opportunities to go anywhere else. It made sense. He accepted he had more learning to do and focused on that.

When directors decided to organize a huge company expansion, they were prepared to take calculated risks.  He was approached personally to head a brand new division. Directors were taking a leap of faith with their business projections, but they also had faith this was an appropriate role for their promoted employee.  He had waited and opportunity knocked.  The responsibility he was given rewarded the energy and attention he had devoted to previous posts.

Rather than rest on his laurels, he chose to give regular motivational talks on the side.  He reasoned that being open to learning what we do wrong is actually an opportunity to get better. He chose to believe it’s a blessing to be told what we're not meant to do, because that brings us that much closer to discovering what we are.  He learned that wasting energy complaining about what you're not is actually distracting you from getting-to-know who you are.  Fulfillment is innate. Think positively and how you view your life changes.  After all, you are what you believe.

Know thyself

The same words as those in the title are inscribed above the entrance to the temple of Apollo at Delphi, the site of the sacred Oracle in Greece.  You may be unaware that in ancient Greece, people waited as long as it took to be given the chance to consult the Oracle.  This was a person who provided clues to destiny and offered ideas of a course of action one could take to possibly reach destinations faster. 

Funny thing is, even in modern times, the best clues you can get a hold of to guide the evolution of your life come from within not from something outside yourself.  Some people interpret "within" as one's conscience or inner voice.  Other people believe they communicate with angels who help them find their true path, or get back on it if they stray.  Do you hear them?

Unconscious people are blind to their traits, their strengths and weaknesses.  These people may be trapped within limited perception throughout their entire life.  They don't learn of the joy they would experience as the result of accepting who they are and applying their potential. Don't let yourself miss out.  You have the choice about whether to continue or not.  Choose progress. 

Getting-to know who you are means going further than understanding from whom you adopt your beliefs or why you condition certain perspectives of the mind.  You need to reach beyond that to explore the senses you know and don't know.  This is part of your process of illumination.  Uncover those dreams you forgot.  They eagerly await your attention.

How you react to people, situations and everything around you is the best gauge of how well you know yourself.  How open-minded are you about venturing into uncertainty? As you discover sources of doubt and fear, you find opportunities to test your wisdom and courage.   How would you feel to know you are never alone? Knowing yourself is also reassuring.  You're already well on your way.

Simplify your life

As you live your life, do you feel as though life is far more complex than it needs to be? If so, stop a moment.  Who do you think has put that kind of an idea into your mind.  You did.  You come to believe what you want to believe.  If its your goal to make your life difficult, you could be well on your way.   Yet, it doesn't have to be that way.   You can reframe your goals.  What kind of life do you really want? How do you think greater simplicity can realistically come to pass?

Goal-setting can be straight-forward.  It can be a step-by-step process which enables you to organize your life in ways that motivate and uplift you.  These things can be learned by anyone.  You must change you thought process an believe you can lead a different kind of life.  Setting your mind to do something is the first step to making that happen.  Its time to get a new vision. 

You may be wondering, "how can I train my mind to think differently?" Well, a good place to start is to realize you wish to make a change. The goals themselves will fall into place as you begin to work toward things.  The 'how' is something you figure out as you go along.  Mind training can get you where you wish to go, but only after you know your designated direction.  from the moment you decide your situation and attitude and mindset need to change, they will because you say so.  Making decisions about goals will enable you to discover that the life you desire is possible.