Myquestions

Role models are important. It is necessary  to have, in your life, figures that you can  look up to and consult or simply refer to  as you navigate your way along the journey of  life. People who have “been through it all”;  people who help to short-circuit the learning  process for you by simply telling you “I’ve been  down that road; you don’t wanna go there” You  avoid so many traps and mistakes by simply  having the right counsel, the right mentors and  guides. But in this era of superficiality and  imitation, the line between having a role model  and trying to assume or inherit someone else’s  identity has become very thin and almost  invisible. This is most evident in popular  culture, where actors and musicians and fashion  designers become the idols of so many, both  young and old; to the extent of determining the  way people dress, walk, talk and even think.  And yet sadly, and somewhat ironically, as  people try and pursue another personality to  take them through life, they lose sight of their  greatest asset in this life: SELF.  And not just yourself as in “you alone”. But  YOUR SELF. If you think of SELF-worth, SELFrespect,  SELF-development, SELF-esteem, that  “SELF” is your greatest asset. And in simple  terms, that self is you.

You see, much as it is  great to aspire to be like so and so, there is an  unsurpassable advantage that comes with being  yourself: there can only be one you. You don’t  have to compete with anyone to be you. And  because of that, you can be the best you.  Others may try, but they can never do you  better than you! Leadership, insight, vision;  these are great qualities to have but anybody  can have or, at least, develop them. But your  SELF – only you have that. So the important  thing, the cutting edge in life, is to know you  SELF and to be to be your SELF, more and with  skill. The world will say that to get ahead you  need to be more confident, more proactive,  more assertive. But I believe you should more  yourself!

A golfer’s success hinges not only on his swing  and his ability to read and use weather  conditions, but in his knowledge of and ability  to use his club set. Even with the perfect swing  and an infallible ability to read the wind, the use  of the wrong club at the wrong time renders  even the most unstoppable golfer, rather  mediocre. Your self is like a golf club set; and  your knowledge of and ability to use your SELF  will determine how far you go, and how quickly  you get there. Know yourself, and know  yourself well. Know your strengths and your  weaknesses. Know what works for you and  what doesn’t. Know what drives you and what  holds you back.

Know yourself. And once you  know yourself, use yourself skillfully.  I think that one of the most tragic things in life  is not to know yourself. And yet in this age of  idols and trendsetters, it becomes increasingly  easier to opt for an identity that is almost  forced upon or, at best, offered aggressively to you. In this environment, it becomes ever more  important to know you SELF and set yourself  apart; really distinguish yourself.  Know yourself – you owe it to your destiny.  Love yourself – you owe it to yourself.  Use yourself; that unique set of resources is  entirely at your disposal every day of your life. Be yourself – nobody else can.

Also see: Invest in Yourself