It was Socrates who said,” Know Thyself .” What useful information! We could add to that, to thyself be true and love thyself even as you love others . When we begin to explore who we really are, we come head to head to who God and his creation is also; it answers the questions about what makes us tick and respond as we do; it enables us to take into control the events of life without fear. It washes away the doubts and negative feelings of life. “You are your own raw material. When you know precisely what you consist of and what you need to think of it, then you can invent yourself.” — Warren G. Bennis.
To understand yourself is to grasp what you are made of, what your properties are and how to best develop them and to conform them to the image you want. Regularly parents make the mistake of not understanding that each person is a unique, individual creation of God, with different wishes and gifts and so they sometimes try and direct their kids into the same career that they’re concerned with. That is O.K, if that happens to be the interest of the youngsters, and they are also gifted in that very same area, or otherwise it could be a sentence of misery and failure.
Understanding ourselves and what our particular gifts are is crucial to finding the purpose and meaning in life that brings satisfaction. Ask yourself: What gives me meaning and purpose? When you know the answer, then that’s the direction you must go with your life and not what some other person may prescribe.
It may appear to you as if I am speaking just too junior folk, but I am also speaking to you if you are older. It’s great to discover ourselves when we are young and then begin early on in life to follow our purpose, but it does not always work out that way. For me it was much later along in life, but later beats not at all.
How do you gain both an objective and subjective appreciation of themselves? Subjectively, we search our own heart for specific, unique interests. It was simple for me to reign out any type of medical career because it had no appeal to me. The thoughts of being a surgeon, and cutting someone else open were something I could not handle. I understand the great services doctors and surgeons perform, nonetheless it is for people that need it and have gifts for it. So it is with any direction in life. Deciding to pursue something on the grounds that it pays well or that is a family convention is a poor way to plan your future.
It does take some soul looking, and some understanding of the creator to expose the deepest needs of the heart, but in time it will become clear. Objectively, others will tell you, from time to time, what you are good at, and from you can consider if it’s right and if it is something you want develop.
I had a mate in high school who was the best football player on the team and he had an opportunity to play college football, but that was not his interest, although he was presented in that area. As an alternative he decided to not attend college at all and became a policeman. Was that a smart decision? For him it was, as it was something he had an interest in and at the same time was a public service that he wanted to contribute.
Conclusion:
Finding out about yourself and your desires may not always lead you to something that’s glorified by society or has a large revenue potential, nonetheless it will steer you to where you belong. It is much better to earn less and get less recognition, if what you do is necessary to you and is something you like to do. Learn how to develop yourself and your gifts.
Have you got plan for your personal development? If not, right now at the beginning of this New Year, or every time it is when you read this, is the perfect time to get started. I always like to quote what Jim Rohm claimed,” We attract success by the individual we become.” On my private development website there could be over 600 articles to help in your private quest for the better you and there also are many other internet sites that offer you help. Therefore there isn’t any excuse for not getting started today!
Jimmie Burroughs is a motivational speaker and author who has been involved in teaching Christian Private Development for more than 30 years. He’s a dedicated disciple of Jesus Christ and considers helping folks his calling in life. His site contains over 600 articles on preparing yourself for success thru personal development and the things which go with personal development.
