I believe Dr Seuss was a literary genius and while his prose about Green Eggs and Ham may have fired our childhood imaginations, there is great wisdom and life lessons to be learned.
“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”
You are you – so special and unique. Why bother trying to be someone else when you can be the best version of yourself. Celebrate your uniqueness and stand proud. Here are the lessons I learned along my journey and I hope they help you become confident and the best versions of yourself.
EDUCATION
This does not necessarily mean getting a degree or diploma – it means a quest for learning and improving/ developing yourself every day for the rest of your lives. It is a thirst for knowledge and whatever kind of learner you are, make sure you learn something new every day.
GOALS
I still believe in the relevance of SMART goals as it gives you direction and purpose not only at work but also in your personal life. Think about what you want to achieve in life and work on specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound goals (SMART). They could be for the next six months, or in the next five years.
INVEST IN YOURSELF
Self-care can never be underestimated. Look after your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. Eat well and regularly to nourish your body. Exercise regularly. Take time out to smell the roses. This is not selfish and I am often reminded of the flight attendant instructions of putting your oxygen mask on first, before helping others. … Because if you run out of oxygen, you can’t help anyone else with their oxygen mask!!
DON’T BE A PEOPLE PLEASER
Learn to prioritize and say “No”. Once you try pleasing people there is no end in sight. This is very good advice given by my mum when I got married. Initially it might be hard but at least you are clear on your boundaries and people will not take liberties (aka you won’t get hurt or upset)
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
Keep doing what you love. Stay curious and interested blocking out all the social media noise. This is your life and no one else is better at living it than you. A famous Henry Ford quote, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right,” Be the fairy tale little engine that could. Yad Bhavam Tad Bhavati is a line from the Ancient Vedas which means your inner thoughts make your outer appearance. You are what you believe and you become what you believe
THERE IS NO FREE LUNCH
There are no shortcuts in life. Be very wary and guarded if something seems too good to be true or does not seem reasonable. All that glitters is not gold after all.
THINK ABUNDANCE NOT SCARCITY
This is an attitude that allows you to see more, do more and be more. Make a conscious effort to recognize the unlimited possibilities surrounding you. You are restricted by the limitations/ restrictions set by your own mind. So start breaking free.
SAVE BEFORE SPENDING
It is okay to have delayed gratification. Things bought on credit card end up being more expensive if you can’t pay the credit card within the month. Saving money is good for you and puts you in financial control. Saving gives you a sense of achievement plus everyone needs to save for a rainy day. You are your own unique self and you do not have to keep up with the Joneses.
SETBACKS/FAILURES/MISTAKES
It is human to make mistakes. Own your mistakes, take responsibility and try your best to make it right. Every encounter is an experience we need to move us forward. Setbacks and failures hep make your resolve stronger and you do become more resilient.
HUMILITY IS UNDERRATED
Humility is considered a state of being, highlighted by your behaviour and approach to things. Humility is not about hiding away or about becoming a ‘wallflower’, but it is about the realization your abilities and actions are not better or less. Humility doesn’t require the ranking of things, but it calls for the understanding of the true value or worth of things. Staying humble will keep you grounded.
“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” – C.S. Lewis
THIS TOO WILL PASS
Time and tide wait for no one and time is a great healer. We are all transient in this world and luckily the hard or difficult time you are going through is temporary and will pass soon. A new dawn brings with it the promise of a new day, new experiences and opportunities. Believe in yourself and you shall overcome.
WHO IS IN YOUR INNER CIRCLE?
Do you have a sibling or parents or a partner or close friends who love you unconditionally? They are loyal and care for your wellbeing and you know you will not be judged. These people in a way are your care mentors and as we navigate through life we need to nurture our inner circle.
DREAM BIG
For as long as I can remember I have always dreamed big – wild fantasies and visions of achieving big great things in life. I know I am not the only dreamer. Dreaming involves holding tight to a vision of a better life, one of success and abundance. While getting there might be difficult, having to deal with setbacks and failures along the way, it’s surely well worth it. Anyone who’s achieved a big goal knows just how true that statement is. It all starts with a dream which is a thought, which becomes your vision and then your reality.
GRATITUDE
The dictionary defines gratitude as the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. John F Kennedy so aptly said “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
SHARING
In the spirit of making the world a better place, you have to share to show you care. Share within your community, share with a neighbour, family, friends. Be it knowledge, experience, time or money – emulate the likes of Bill Gates and Warren Buffett but do share at your level. Give what you can afford – share with the Universe in an unselfish and not wanting anything in return way and the Universe gives you more.