I recently came across one of those framed axioms/quotes that litter social media; most times when I notice these things, I read them with half a mind aware that no matter how nice sounding, funny or zen-like they are, they may not always be representative of the truth of life, or even congruent with our individual narrative. I’ve seen things like:
- Confidence is 10% hard work and 90% delusion!
- A madman is a dreamer awake.
- Zen is the true goldmine for the needs of the western psychologist.
See what I mean?
I know when people read these and other similar posts, some might misunderstand them; some yet will disagree with them, and to some they will be accepted as the gospel truth. But are they really? Truth, I mean. Are they really your truth?
A truth is based on fact, reality and not simply human acceptance. Do you agree? A truth can stand the test of time irrespective of situation, geography or circumstance. To my mind, if what I read cannot stand up to scrutiny based on this simple definition, I don’t take it as truth. Facts can change, and they are not transferable across situations, geography, and circumstance. I try not to knit ideas or axioms NOT based on truth into the fabric of my life, nor do I weave the patterns of my behavior around them. I suggest you be as discerning as well.
Back to this social media axiom I saw which gave me pause, it was this: “The strongest factor for success is self-esteem”.
Not many words for something that affected me profoundly and elementally. These words spoke volumes to my mind.
It says to me that it’ my perception of myself, my personal narrative, sense of worth, sense of my ability, my feeling that I am making a valuable and cogent contribution to the progress of life on this third rock from the sun that can and does influence my success, achievements, accomplishments.
So, in my pursuit of success I am the single most important component. If success was a jigsaw puzzle, I am the final piece that brings the image together.
Even as I am typing this, as I lift my fingers off the keyboard for a few minutes looking off to the far corner of my study as I reflect again on this truth; I wonder, is this true just for me or does the axiom hold true for all humanity? Is this fact or truth?
I believe it is truth. I believe that you are the uncompromisable element needed in your own success story.
Your current life… the way your past, present and future are woven into the magnificent tapestry called your life – the good, bad and ugly contribute to the fabric of you that can precipitate or hinder your success. Yes, this means that no one can really withhold success from you unless you allow them. You are far stronger, and more powerful than you ever imagined possible. And your success is not and has never been at the mercy of the fates, chance or any other human being. Your success is at the mercy of your actions.
What do you believe about yourself? About your abilities, inabilities, strengths, weaknesses, skills, handicaps? What are you saying to yourself? I assure you; whatever you are saying to yourself is your truth. You can never achieve more or higher than your own self-definition or self-esteem. The input of others while powerful is only really as powerful as you allow them to be.
Think of this, you do not wear makeup, you never have. You get a roommate who loves makeup. She believes that a woman cannot be truly beautiful without the foundation, lip liner, pencils, cakes, shadows and so on. You don’t share this conviction. These are two narratives that neither diminish nor enhance your roommate or yourself. What is true?
Your friend goes on after school to land a coveted role at the World Bank and you get an offer at a regional mortgage bank. Did it have anything to do with her appearance? Was it because you wouldn’t wear make up? What is your truth? Our rise and fall are a function of our preparation, conviction and action underlined by our destinies. Not one single point, of all of these inform where we end up.
Fast forward fifteen years; your former roommate is a department head at the World Bank and you are the Managing Director of the country’s most profitable Microfinance Bank. Preparation, Conviction Action underlined by Destiny.
Had you tried to change yourself, spend time diminishing who you really are, undermining your worth and ascribing advancement to the aid of cosmetics where would you end up? A diminished shell of yourself NOT the highest expression of who you truly can be.
What is your truth? Feel free to send me a personal message and lets discuss your point of view further.
Remember that the strongest factor of success is self-esteem.
I’d really like to get to know you better, find out more about me here; hopefully you will tell me more about yourself too.
