To Thine Self… Be True

“To thine own self be true.” – Hamlet.

Recently, I attended a motivational event, which promised to equip participants with tools to make 2019 a very productive year.

The main speaker, sharing personal experiences and achievements, sought to convince us that those principles were indeed tested and trusted. One thing we were not told however was the impact that the very influential family of the speaker on the said results.

I tried to imagine if the speaker’s business would have been just as successful following the said principles without the strong support of the internationally renowned family opening doors of opportunity.

Let me be quick to say that I believe success can be achieved without you “knowing somebody” as we say. I personally have achieved considerable success that way, but I also know that having the right connections help you get to your destination faster. And while I would choose the latter in many cases, it is important to acknowledge the role of such factors when following a mentor’s counsel.

Also, listeners and devotees of motivational speakers should learn to read between the lines. You owe yourself the responsibility of sifting through information and deciding what is right for you given your current situation. It is not one-size-fits-all, and only you can truly know what a realistic and realisable goal is for you.

Putting yourself under unnecessary pressure to meet your mentors’ expectations will only have disastrous consequences. I imagine someone reading this thinking that this is an endorsement of mediocrity and the “I cannot kill myself” and “what will be will be” attitude.

IT IS NOT!

By all means, aim high, seek information and work extremely hard and smart to achieve your set goals, but also know that we can’t all grow to be extremely wealthy in the space of one year by doing what someone tells you to do, without having access to the support they got. Even with the same support, you still may not.

Acknowledge where you are presently, your capacity and resources (financial, human and any other) and the drive you need before you set goals that will kill your morale and render you incapable of reaching even your low hanging fruits.

You can pursue your goals at any time of the year. January does not possess magical dust to give you great goals or results. Every day is a good time to start. The day you realize your shortcomings and the need to work on them is the beginning of a new year. Think about it, every day is the beginning of a new year which will end 365 days later.

For someone, getting any kind of job is enough. For another, getting a six-figure salary is it, for yet another, it is making that first million.

Romans 12:3 Phillips Version of the Bible says;

As your spiritual teacher, I give this piece of advice to each one of you. Don’t cherish exaggerated ideas of yourself or your importance, but try to have a sane estimate of your capabilities by the light of the faith that God has given to you all.

This sums it all up. However, if there is any other thing I need to add, it is to say once again—to thine own self be true.

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Article By: IBIYEMI.