Are You Creating the Self You Want?

“We are all self-made, but only the successful will admit it.” – Earl Nightingale

The concept of the Self and who we are is endlessly fascinating to me.

I think about my life and what I have created, and failed* to create, over the years.

These ponderings are part of how my Self develops.

If I look at my successes with humility and my “failures” with curiosity I will develop confidence and wisdom.

If I look back with blame, and give credence to the expectations of others, I will develop some form of shame and weakness.

I suggest you choose the former approach.

You’re creating your Self all the time, and your approach matters.

***

* Again, as long-time readers will know, I use this word intentionally to get your attention, so I can make the point – yet again – that we never fail, we only produce results that we didn’t foresee and/or don’t desire. For the love of Pete, stop thinking you failed in the sense that nothing happened as a result of your efforts. Everything produces something, making that “something” what you want is only a question of intelligently adjusting your approach (and working your ass off).

Similar Posts

  • Thought vs. Thinking

    I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough, we must do. – Leonardo da Vinci Thought is so vitally important to the quality and content of our lives, but thinking is over-rated. What we think creates our emotions and our emotions create…

  • How to Get Grit

    Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day-in, day-out. Not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years. And working really hard to make that future a reality. Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint….

  • How To Live

    There’s no shortage of pithy sayings about, or formulas for, living in the world today. At the risk of adding to the “noise,” here is my basic formula: just A.S.K.. First, be Authentic. Easier said than done, especially in the Western/Modern world. In a consumer-oriented culture we are barraged with entreaties to consume this, that…

  • Are You Good at What Matters?

    What if what you’re good at doesn’t – really – matter? So often we take refuge, or more accurately, hide in the the things we’re good at. But what if those things are not what really matters, for us, individually? What if we hide in those talents to avoid the hard work of learning and growing? What if we’re…

  • Design or Default?

    Any regular reader of this blog knows how much I love Seth Godin’s ideas (and generosity thereof). Here is yet another of Seth’s brilliant posts that I am compelled to share and comment on (you can find the original post here): Can and should Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should. The…