Self-discovery, also known as self-awareness, precedes self-leadership. You cannot dominate, nor can you lead what you do not know. In the process of leading our lives, we must come to fully understand ourselves. I read it in a book somewhere that “know yourself” is the best and most profound advice ever given to mankind. You can overestimate your abilities or underestimate the power you possess when you don’t know yourself. It starts with self-discovery. No one will come up to you and tell you, hey, it’s time for you to discover yourself. It is a do-it-yourself job. I share some suggestions on how you can get to know your true self.
Many “ordinary” men and women walk our streets on a daily basis and die lives without living because they have never taken the time to discover who they really are on the inside. It’s time to discover hidden talents, abilities, and natural gifts. Everyone can be someone. Self-discovery begins with an honest self-assessment and audit. It’s about “getting to know yourself”, who you are in essence, what you believe in and what motivates you. It’s not about who you pretend to be or who you think you are, but who you really are. You can fool others but you cannot fool yourself. Nor is it about who others think and say you are. Many people live frustrated lives because they try to fit into a mold that they were never designed to fit. Self-discovery can be a lifelong journey for some, but it’s worth it. The sooner you embark on it, the sooner you begin to participate in an effective life.
Some people accept the reality that is given to them instead of creating their own reality. If you don’t know who your parents are, your school teacher, your village will give you an identity. If they can give you an identity, they can determine what you can and cannot do. Yes, they love you and mean well, but self-discovery is your personal responsibility. Biblical King David would have been a shepherd boy all his life if he had given in to the wishes of his father and brothers, but he was destined to be king. Even if there is a king within you, you could not ascend the throne if you allow what others think of you to become too important.
I would have become an academic if I had fulfilled my parents’ dream for me. I probably would have been successful at that, but there were multiple gifts and things that I needed to discover for myself. I found that I have a desire to inspire others by writing, speaking, and singing when I did this exercise on my own. I also discovered that although my background was in sales and marketing, I had a passion and desire to develop and inspire others to reach their full potential; This article you are reading is one of the manifestations of that desire.
Perhaps you are limiting who you are to what you do. You are not your job or whatever it is you do for a living. You can be more and do more. You could be one of those people who ever read something and was inspired to “reach higher,” but life’s challenges happened and they pushed you back and forth. Maybe you lost income, dropped out of school, lost motivation, reduced the size of your dream, or just stopped dreaming. Don’t let circumstances and setbacks define you. Yes, you failed but you are not a failure.
You may have intended to start developing a skill or read good books. It is not too late to start. I understand that the average CEO absorbs at least fifty books in a year. That is almost a book a week. You can also do this if you intend to have an advantage in your career or business. Leaders are readers. In 2003, I discovered the power of reading, absorbed twenty books in that season, and have become an avid reader ever since. You don’t have to start with twenty, start with a few chapters a day. You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great. The journey of fifty books a year begins with the first page, the chapter in which you decide to sit and read. Don’t limit yourself to physical books, reading also incorporates listening to audiobooks, especially when you’re “on the go.”
I hope, in my own way, I have been able to guide him towards the discovery of his true self. You have the ability to take charge of your life and lead yourself. It will take initiative; You owe it to yourself. It does not matter age or youth. This is a reminder that there is more for you. Find out and you will thank me.
Here are some questions you can use to conduct a self-assessment. Feel free to add yours.
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What are my gifts and talents that I was born with?
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What would my ideal job be if it were unlimited?
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What would you be doing right now if you didn’t have to win?
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What are your values, that is, what is important to you?
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What do I think I was born for?
I hope the questions above help you on your way to becoming all that you should be.