Transcripts
The Power of Action:
Speaker:Do It Now
Speaker:By Daniel Walte, narrated by russell newton.rIntroduction.
Speaker:“In order to carry a positive action,
Speaker:we must develop here a positive vision."
Speaker:~Dali Lama According to research,
Speaker:92% of people who set goals fail to achieve them.
Speaker:A Gallup poll discovered that 85% of people hate their jobs,
Speaker:and the World Happiness Report finds that negative emotions are on the rise
Speaker:worldwide.
Speaker:I believe these statistics are all connected.
Speaker:People hate their jobs because there is something deep within them that knows
Speaker:there is more to life than working in a job they can’t stand and struggling
Speaker:to pay bills.
Speaker:We set goals because we want to create the life we know we deserve.
Speaker:But we fail to achieve those goals because we don’t know how to,
Speaker:and then negative emotions such as sadness,
Speaker:depression,
Speaker:and frustration overtake us because we just can’t seem to get it right.
Speaker:It’s like one big vicious circle that people can’t get out of and it’s
Speaker:becoming unbearable.
Speaker:But there is light at the end of the tunnel if you will allow me to lead you
Speaker:there.
Speaker:Why do I believe there is hope?
Speaker:Because five years ago,
Speaker:I was a part of the three statistics I just mentioned.
Speaker:I worked as an accounts manager for a telecommunications company and I hated my
Speaker:job with a passion.
Speaker:I was one of those people who lived for the weekends and dreaded Mondays.
Speaker:I had to psych myself up every morning before I went into the office,
Speaker:and I walked around with a fake smile on my face all day because there really
Speaker:wasn’t anything to smile about.
Speaker:I wasn’t happy to be there.
Speaker:I always knew I wanted to be an author,
Speaker:and every year for seven years I made a New Year’s resolution to write a
Speaker:book,
Speaker:but it never happened.
Speaker:Every year,
Speaker:I became more and more disgusted with myself for failing to achieve my goals.
Speaker:My confidence was at an all-time low,
Speaker:and I buried my sadness by filling my time with mindless activities and
Speaker:associating with people who were just as miserable as me.
Speaker:My life changed one warm summer’s day after speaking to an old man called Mr.
Speaker:Hamilton who lived down the street from me.
Speaker:He always sat on his porch in a rocking chair reading the book Think and Grow
Speaker:Rich by Napoleon Hill.
Speaker:He said he had been reading the same book for 45 years.
Speaker:He had more or less memorized it word for word and could quote entire pages.
Speaker:He said that was the only book anyone ever needed to read in order to succeed
Speaker:in life.
Speaker:If he was outside when I passed by,
Speaker:I would join him on his porch and have a chat.
Speaker:His favorite topic of conversation was the importance of creating the life you
Speaker:desire.
Speaker:He had wanted to get into real estate,
Speaker:but once he’d started a family,
Speaker:his main concern had become keeping a roof over their heads and food on the
Speaker:table.
Speaker:He didn’t want to risk investing his life savings into something that might
Speaker:not work,
Speaker:so he abandoned his dreams and chose the safe road.
Speaker:Mr. Hamilton believed that since he had not managed to achieve his dreams,
Speaker:his mission in life was to teach young people not to allow fear to hold them
Speaker:back from becoming successful.
Speaker:During our last conversation,
Speaker:he said,
Speaker:“On your gravestone there will be two dates - the day you were born,
Speaker:and the day you died.
Speaker:There will be a dash in the middle of those dates.
Speaker:What you do during that time is up to you.
Speaker:Please do something with your life."
Speaker:Mr. Hamilton died that evening and I never saw him again.
Speaker:His words stuck with me,
Speaker:though,
Speaker:so I went and bought the book Think and Grow Rich.
Speaker:I had attempted to read several self-help books over the years and failed,
Speaker:but I read that book in one evening and something clicked.
Speaker:I became more determined than ever to turn my dreams into a reality.
Speaker:Today,
Speaker:I am a successful best-selling author,
Speaker:public speaker,
Speaker:and philanthropist.
Speaker:I travel the world teaching people how to apply the principles of success,
Speaker:and I’ve never been so fulfilled and satisfied with life.
Speaker:I wrote this book because I understand exactly how you feel.
Speaker:Five years ago,
Speaker:I was you.
Speaker:I’ve walked in your shoes,
Speaker:and I can tell you with confidence that there is a way out.
Speaker:When I started this journey,
Speaker:one of the things I struggled with the most was taking action—which is the
Speaker:most important component of the journey,
Speaker:because without action,
Speaker:nothing gets done.
Speaker:But the more I learned and applied the success principles I read about,
Speaker:the easier it became for me to take action.
Speaker:And that’s what I want to share with you.
Speaker:Here’s a sneak peek into what you can expect to learn in this audiobook -
Speaker:•A deep dive into the importance of self-awareness
Speaker:•How to acknowledge and overcome your weaknesses
Speaker:•Strategies to motivate yourself and build momentum
Speaker:•Why fear is holding you back from success
Speaker:•The benefits of setting specific goals
Speaker:•How to enjoy the process and celebrate your wins If you diligently apply the
Speaker:strategies found in this audiobook,
Speaker:and refuse to give up on your dreams,
Speaker:I can guarantee you will be successful.
Speaker:It takes courage to decide that it’s time to change your life,
Speaker:and I applaud you for that.
Speaker:With that being said,
Speaker:it’s time to take the first action step on your journey,
Speaker:and listen to the first chapter of this audiobook.
Speaker:Chapter 1 .- The Awakening .- Self-Awareness and Acknowledging Your Weakness
Speaker:“To know yourself,
Speaker:you must sacrifice the illusion that you already do."
Speaker:~Vironika Tugaleva Everyone loves sleeping.
Speaker:There’s nothing like that awesome warm feeling when you’re tucked under a
Speaker:duvet getting the rest your body craves so much.
Speaker:But when that alarm goes off,
Speaker:the first thing most people do is reach up and shut it off.
Speaker:Why?
Speaker:Because you’ve been jolted out of your slumber and you have absolutely no
Speaker:desire to get out of bed.
Speaker:You are engulfed in that comfortable feeling,
Speaker:and if you could stay there forever you would.
Speaker:However,
Speaker:whether it’s work,
Speaker:the kids,
Speaker:or life,
Speaker:you have no choice but to get up.
Speaker:The same is true when one has a spiritual awakening.
Speaker:Most people are sleepwalking;
Speaker:they live on autopilot,
Speaker:doing everything society has programmed them to do.
Speaker:You go to school,
Speaker:get an education,
Speaker:get a job,
Speaker:and work until retirement—during which time you might have snippets of
Speaker:fulfilment,
Speaker:but deep down,
Speaker:there is a massive void you don’t know how to fill.
Speaker:You see,
Speaker:humans are made up of body,
Speaker:mind,
Speaker:and spirit.
Speaker:We are aware of our bodies,
Speaker:and our minds,
Speaker:but the spirit,
Speaker:the inner part of you that knows all things,
Speaker:most people are unaware of.
Speaker:As far as I’m concerned,
Speaker:the spirit is the most important part of us,
Speaker:but it is never fully activated because we live in such a superficial world.
Speaker:We’ve been taught to be so focused on our outer appearance that our inner
Speaker:being is totally neglected.
Speaker:But every so often,
Speaker:an alarm bell rings,
Speaker:whether it’s through a book we read,
Speaker:a podcast we listened to,
Speaker:or a film we watched,
Speaker:and we get the feeling that there is more to life than we are currently living.
Speaker:However,
Speaker:because we are so comfortable in our slumber,
Speaker:we hit the snooze button and go back to sleep.
Speaker:There are very few people who hear the alarm bell and get up,
Speaker:which is why only 1% of the population owns half of the world’s wealth.
Speaker:The question is,
Speaker:what does it take to enable you to arise from your slumber?
Speaker:There are several answers to this question,
Speaker:and one of them is self-awareness.
Speaker:What Is Self-Awareness?
Speaker:Self-awareness is a deep concept that involves having the ability to understand
Speaker:yourself.
Speaker:It involves more than self-recognition;
Speaker:introspection is the foundation of self-awareness.
Speaker:Self-awareness means being able to critically evaluate your thoughts,
Speaker:actions,
Speaker:and emotions.
Speaker:It requires a person to have a deep understanding of their personal values,
Speaker:strengths,
Speaker:weaknesses,
Speaker:and motivations.
Speaker:This skill is required for personal development,
Speaker:but it also plays an important role in how people interact with each other.
Speaker:At the center of self-awareness is the ability to navigate one’s internal
Speaker:state.
Speaker:A person who engages in the practice of self-reflection is capable of
Speaker:identifying thought patterns and the behaviors that manifest from them,
Speaker:which assists in developing a clearer picture of their identity and personality.
Speaker:It’s important to mention that once a person becomes self-aware,
Speaker:it does not necessarily mean that the negative things they’ve learned about
Speaker:themselves are fixed.
Speaker:Through life experiences,
Speaker:reflection,
Speaker:and learning,
Speaker:people grow,
Speaker:change,
Speaker:and evolve.
Speaker:Self-awareness also involves being able to identify and manage emotions.
Speaker:Having the ability to manage one’s emotions is referred to as “emotional
Speaker:intelligence."
Speaker:This skill gives people an advantage in social situations because they are
Speaker:capable of accurately reading rooms and people.
Speaker:Emotionally intelligent people are more empathetic,
Speaker:which gives them the ability to communicate on a deeper level and build
Speaker:stronger relationships.
Speaker:Understanding your strengths and weaknesses is another important component of
Speaker:self-awareness.
Speaker:A person who knows their strengths is confident in their abilities and works to
Speaker:keep improving them.
Speaker:The individual who understands their weaknesses (more on that shortly)
Speaker:does not allow those weaknesses to dominate their lives.
Speaker:Instead,
Speaker:they either work on improving them,
Speaker:or they simply accept that there are certain things they are just not good at.
Speaker:Either way,
Speaker:it’s a win-win situation when you understand your weaknesses because you are
Speaker:clear on what to do,
Speaker:and what not to do.
Speaker:Finally,
Speaker:self-awareness is also about understanding how your behavior impacts others.
Speaker:It ensures that you think before you speak so your words do not cause offense.
Speaker:Before making decisions,
Speaker:you think about how your actions will affect those involved in the situation.
Speaker:Self-aware people are also extremely humble and have no problem admitting when
Speaker:they are wrong.
Speaker:How To Develop Self-Awareness.
Speaker:If you feel that you lack self-awareness,
Speaker:not to worry—you can develop it.
Speaker:Here are some tips to help you develop self-awareness - Identify Your Personal
Speaker:Values .- Everyone has personal values.
Speaker:You may never have articulated them,
Speaker:but they are basically how you live your life.
Speaker:They are the principles and beliefs that shape your decisions and actions.
Speaker:Your personal values are typically developed during childhood,
Speaker:as you grow into adulthood,
Speaker:and through your experiences.
Speaker:Your personal values will influence things such as the relationships you
Speaker:choose,
Speaker:the career you opt for,
Speaker:and the overall direction your life will take.
Speaker:Therefore,
Speaker:having a clear understanding of your personal values is essential.
Speaker:By defining your personal values,
Speaker:you connect with the things that are most important to you.
Speaker:Here are some tips on how to identify your personal values.
Speaker:You will need a pen and a notebook for this.
Speaker:•Happy Moments .- Think about the times in your life when you were the
Speaker:happiest.
Speaker:Come up with examples from your childhood,
Speaker:different relationships you’ve had,
Speaker:and your career.
Speaker:•Proud Moments .- Think about the times in your life when you were most proud.
Speaker:Again,
Speaker:use examples from your childhood,
Speaker:different relationships you’ve had,
Speaker:and your career.
Speaker:What was it that made you proud?
Speaker:Were there other people involved,
Speaker:and if so,
Speaker:did they share the moment with you?
Speaker:What were the main factors that contributed to these proud moments?
Speaker:•Satisfied and Fulfilled .- Think about times when you were the most
Speaker:satisfied and fulfilled.
Speaker:Come up with more recent examples in your career and personal life.
Speaker:What desire or need was fulfilled?
Speaker:Why did these experiences add meaning to your life?
Speaker:Were there any other factors that added to these feelings of fulfilment?
Speaker:•Your Main Values .- Based on the experiences you have come up with—happy,
Speaker:proud,
Speaker:satisfied and fulfilled moments—why did you remember each experience?
Speaker:Why were they important to you?
Speaker:Try and come up with at least 10 main values.
Speaker:•Prioritize Your Values .- As mentioned,
Speaker:your values have an effect on the decisions you make.
Speaker:Therefore,
Speaker:it is essential that you are aware of the values that are most important to you.
Speaker:Look at the first two values on the list you made above,
Speaker:and ask yourself,
Speaker:“If I had to make a choice,
Speaker:which one of these values would I choose?"
Speaker:Context is always going to have an effect on your decisions;
Speaker:therefore,
Speaker:imagine a scenario where you would need to make such a choice.
Speaker:For example,
Speaker:say the first two values on your list are “generosity” and “financial
Speaker:stability."
Speaker:Imagine one of your friends is going through a rough patch and they ask to
Speaker:borrow some money.
Speaker:Although you value generosity,
Speaker:you are not financially stable,
Speaker:and lending your friend money would set you back.
Speaker:In this instance,
Speaker:financial stability would be more important than generosity.
Speaker:Go through your list making up scenarios until you’ve numbered the list from
Speaker:1-10.
Speaker:•Personal Alignment .- Go through your list and determine whether these
Speaker:values are in alignment with your life.
Speaker:Ask yourself whether these values give you a sense of pride.
Speaker:How would you feel about telling the people closest to you,
Speaker:and those you admire and respect,
Speaker:about your personal values?
Speaker:Would you stand by these values even if they were not popular?
Speaker:When you take your personal values into consideration when making a decision,
Speaker:you will maintain your integrity because you are doing what you know is right,
Speaker:and what is true to your heart.
Speaker:In this way,
Speaker:you can approach decisions with clarity and confidence.
Speaker:You can also be confident that the decisions you make are the best for your
Speaker:present and future satisfaction and happiness.
Speaker:It won’t always be easy when prioritizing your personal values during the
Speaker:decision-making process;
Speaker:however,
Speaker:it will serve you well in the long run.
Speaker:Additional Tips For Defining Your Personal Values.
Speaker:•Next to each value,
Speaker:write down what it means to you—why it matters and what it stands for.
Speaker:•Be short and concise with your definitions.
Speaker:•Use your own words so you can truly connect with them.
Speaker:•Embrace your authenticity and don’t write down values because of external
Speaker:influences.
Speaker:•Take your core beliefs into consideration and don’t compromise on them.
Speaker:Practice Journaling .- Journaling involves setting time aside on a regular
Speaker:basis to write about your emotions,
Speaker:feelings,
Speaker:and thoughts.
Speaker:It helps you self-reflect and problem-solve.
Speaker:Journaling is very therapeutic,
Speaker:and research suggests there are several benefits to it such as improving your
Speaker:mental health,
Speaker:strengthening the immune system,
Speaker:and helping to relieve stress and anxiety.
Speaker:Here are some tips on how to get started with journaling -
Speaker:•Get a Notepad .- Don’t journal on random sheets of paper;
Speaker:instead,
Speaker:buy a notepad specifically for journaling.
Speaker:•Choose a Time .- You don’t need to journal every day unless you want to.
Speaker:But the key is to be consistent.
Speaker:Whether you are going to journal every day,
Speaker:twice a week,
Speaker:or once a week,
Speaker:choose the best time of day and stick to it.
Speaker:•No Distractions .- Turn off your phone,
Speaker:the T. V. ,
Speaker:the radio,
Speaker:and any other form of digital distractions before you start journaling.
Speaker:Your environment should be as peaceful as possible so you can focus on what you
Speaker:are writing.
Speaker:•Write Freely .- Spelling and grammar are irrelevant when it comes to
Speaker:journaling,
Speaker:so just write.
Speaker:As long as you can read what you write,
Speaker:that’s all that matters.
Speaker:I’m a writer,
Speaker:so I found journaling very easy,
Speaker:but for those of you who have no idea where to start,
Speaker:here are some journal prompts to help you out -
Speaker:•Describe an incident that occurred during your day that made you feel joyful.
Speaker:•Is there anything you are grateful for in this present moment?
Speaker:•Think about a challenge you’ve had recently.
Speaker:What did you learn from it?
Speaker:•What goals do you want to accomplish in the next 30 days?
Speaker:•Are there any hobbies and skills you would like to develop and why?
Speaker:•Have you had any emotional challenges recently?
Speaker:How did you navigate them and what did they teach you about yourself?
Speaker:•What practices or activities give you peace and improve your mood?
Speaker:•What have you accomplished recently?
Speaker:What emotions did you experience?
Speaker:•What situations trigger anxiety and stress in you and why?
Speaker:•Who are the people in your life that you trust the most and why?
Speaker:How can you strengthen the emotional connections you have with these people?
Speaker:•What self-care practices do you enjoy the most and why?
Speaker:How can you incorporate more of them into your life?
Speaker:•Who is your role model?
Speaker:What qualities do you admire about this person?
Speaker:•What are the things that make you angry and why?
Speaker:•What can you do to make the world a better place?
Speaker:•Think about the three biggest mistakes you have made in life.
Speaker:How did they affect you?
Speaker:Develop a Growth Mindset .- Psychologist Carol Dweck coined the term “growth
Speaker:mindset."
Speaker:A person with a growth mindset believes that their intelligence and abilities
Speaker:can be improved through learning,
Speaker:hard work,
Speaker:and dedication.
Speaker:They push through adversities and see the difficulties of life as opportunities
Speaker:to learn something new and grow.
Speaker:On the other hand,
Speaker:a person with a fixed mindset believes that people are born with a certain
Speaker:level of skill and intelligence and there is nothing that can be done to change
Speaker:it.
Speaker:You can develop a growth mindset by doing the following -
Speaker:•Recognize a Fixed Mindset .- Before you can develop a growth mindset,
Speaker:you must be aware that you have a fixed mindset.
Speaker:When you find something difficult,
Speaker:do you keep trying,
Speaker:or do you give up because you don’t believe you will get any better at it?
Speaker:When you run into an obstacle,
Speaker:do you see it as an opportunity for growth,
Speaker:or do you complain and moan that it’s hindering your progress?
Speaker:These are all ways that a person with a fixed mindset thinks.
Speaker:Pay attention to your thought process the next time you run into a challenge.
Speaker:•Embrace Failure .- Failure is not a dead end;
Speaker:it is a part of the process.
Speaker:All successful people fail before they succeed.
Speaker:Thomas Edison attempted to make the bamboo filament to improve the lightbulb
Speaker:2,774 times before he succeeded.
Speaker:During an interview,
Speaker:he let the interviewer know that he was willing to keep trying until he got it
Speaker:right by saying,
Speaker:“I have not failed.
Speaker:I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work."
Speaker:When things are not going your way,
Speaker:do what Thomas Edison did and find another way of achieving your goal,
Speaker:no matter how long it takes.
Speaker:•Embrace Challenges .- Like failure,
Speaker:view the challenges that life throws at you as an opportunity for growth.
Speaker:Growth comes by venturing out of your comfort zone;
Speaker:while it doesn’t feel good to be stretched and challenged,
Speaker:by embracing it,
Speaker:you will come out on the other side better and stronger.
Speaker:•Value Hard Work .- Hard work is the engine that propels growth.
Speaker:You can be the most talented person in the world,
Speaker:but if you are not prepared to put the work in,
Speaker:you won’t get very far.
Speaker:When you are working on your goals,
Speaker:your progress might seem slow,
Speaker:but eventually,
Speaker:you will reap the rewards for your efforts.
Speaker:•Keep Learning .- The desire to learn is essential for a growth mindset
Speaker:because that’s how you get better at something.
Speaker:Learning can take place in many forms including reading,
Speaker:taking courses,
Speaker:and watching instructional videos.
Speaker:•Be Persistent .- Persistence is key when it comes to developing a growth
Speaker:mindset because whatever you are trying to achieve is not going to happen
Speaker:overnight.
Speaker:There are going to be setbacks,
Speaker:difficulties,
Speaker:and things that will make you feel very uncomfortable.
Speaker:Most people give up when the going gets tough because it’s easier to go back
Speaker:to what they know.
Speaker:But a person with a growth mindset will embrace the discomfort and keep going
Speaker:until they have reached their goal.
Speaker:•Choose Your Friends Wisely .- If you are surrounded by people with a fixed
Speaker:mindset,
Speaker:they will make it very difficult for you to make the changes you need to make
Speaker:to adopt a growth mindset.
Speaker:While it’s easier said than done to ditch the people you’ve probably known
Speaker:for years,
Speaker:you will need to distance yourself from them.
Speaker:While you’re all excited about your personal development journey and will
Speaker:want them to accompany you,
Speaker:they will tell you it’s a waste of time.
Speaker:The more they keep reminding you that you are not going to succeed at what
Speaker:you’re doing,
Speaker:the easier it will be for you to give up when things get hard.
Speaker:Think about it like this .- Imagine you are standing on top of a table,
Speaker:your friends are on the ground,
Speaker:and you stretch out your hand to help pull them up.
Speaker:Guess what’s going to happen?
Speaker:Gravity will ensure that they pull you down before you can pull them up.
Speaker:If they want to get on your level,
Speaker:they will find their own way there—you won’t need to convince them.
Speaker:However,
Speaker:if they are not ready to embrace this new mindset,
Speaker:they will pull you right back down to the bottom of the mountain.
Speaker:•Seek Feedback .- Individuals with a growth mindset love constructive
Speaker:criticism.
Speaker:They don’t get offended because it gives them the opportunity to improve.
Speaker:Constructive criticism can come from your superiors at work,
Speaker:your partner,
Speaker:friends,
Speaker:or family members.
Speaker:Regardless of where it comes from,
Speaker:embrace it and make the necessary changes to improve.
Speaker:Embrace Vulnerability .- It is not uncommon for people to find it difficult to
Speaker:embrace vulnerability.
Speaker:Being vulnerable is about being transparent with your thoughts,
Speaker:emotions,
Speaker:and actions.
Speaker:It’s about being your authentic self even though you know you could get hurt.
Speaker:Being vulnerable with your loved ones allows you to connect with them on a
Speaker:deeper level.
Speaker:To start embracing your vulnerability,
Speaker:do this -
Speaker:•Be Yourself .- Society has tricked us into believing we can’t be
Speaker:ourselves,
Speaker:that we have to look and act a certain way to be accepted and liked.
Speaker:The media does a wonderful job of highlighting the differences between those
Speaker:who are admired and those who are not.
Speaker:We are constantly bombarded with indirect messages about what is considered
Speaker:socially acceptable.
Speaker:As a result,
Speaker:people feel that they need to change themselves in order to be accepted.
Speaker:Embracing vulnerability requires you to be yourself because in doing so,
Speaker:you are okay with knowing that not everyone is going to like you.
Speaker:You can make this process a lot easier by reminding yourself that no matter how
Speaker:nice and polished you are,
Speaker:no matter how much you conform to society’s standards,
Speaker:you can’t please everyone,
Speaker:and there are always going to be people who are not going to like you.
Speaker:Once you accept this fact,
Speaker:you will free yourself from the shackles of conformity.
Speaker:•Learn and Grow .- Learn about yourself and do the work required to grow.
Speaker:By gaining a better understanding of who you are and acknowledging the parts of
Speaker:you that you don’t like,
Speaker:you can do what is necessary to make changes.
Speaker:Most people keep these parts about themselves buried because they are too
Speaker:painful to confront.
Speaker:However,
Speaker:the first step in the direction of transformation is admitting you have a
Speaker:problem.
Speaker:Once the problem has been diagnosed,
Speaker:you can start working on the solution.
Speaker:•Embrace Your Feelings .- For some people,
Speaker:it is easier to hide their feelings instead of being honest about them.
Speaker:However,
Speaker:burying your feelings is not good for your health.
Speaker:Emotions are designed to be released from the body,
Speaker:and if they are not,
Speaker:they will make you both mentally and physically ill.
Speaker:By embracing your feelings,
Speaker:you accept them for what they are,
Speaker:no matter how uncomfortable they make you feel.
Speaker:When you accept your emotions and work through them,
Speaker:they will no longer have any power over you.
Speaker:•Be Adventurous .- People who embrace their vulnerability are free-spirited;
Speaker:they enjoy getting out in the world and having new experiences because they
Speaker:don’t mind taking risks.
Speaker:You might waste money,
Speaker:or you could have a terrible time,
Speaker:but to those who embrace their vulnerability,
Speaker:an experience is an experience whether it was good or bad.
Speaker:You can’t go through life trying to avoid bad experiences;
Speaker:instead,
Speaker:get out there and live.
Speaker:•Become Indifferent .- Worrying about what other people think about you is a
Speaker:waste of time because the truth is,
Speaker:you will never really know.
Speaker:There are very few people who will tell you what they really think about you
Speaker:because that’s not proper social etiquette.
Speaker:My friend once sent me a cute video of a little girl being recorded by her mom
Speaker:practicing how she was going to be nice to the other kids at the party she was
Speaker:about to attend.
Speaker:This child was known for telling people that she didn’t like them,
Speaker:and in the video,
Speaker:the mom asks,
Speaker:“What are you going to say when you go to Auntie Jackie’s party?
Speaker:The child replied very slowly,
Speaker:“I Don’T Like You."
Speaker:The mother asked her the question three times,
Speaker:and she eventually said,
Speaker:“I Like You” in the same robotic voice.
Speaker:She then said,
Speaker:“But the truth is,
Speaker:I don’t like you!"
Speaker:Children have no filter,
Speaker:and it’s up to their parents to train them how to navigate the world.
Speaker:The average adult has a filter,
Speaker:and in most cases,
Speaker:they are going to be polite and friendly even if they don’t like you.
Speaker:Since you are not telepathic and can’t read minds,
Speaker:there is no point worrying about another person’s opinion of you.
Speaker:•Practice Self-Compassion .- Be kind to yourself on your journey to embracing
Speaker:vulnerability because it isn’t easy.
Speaker:You will find that your insecurities will rise,
Speaker:and you won’t always be in the best of moods,
Speaker:but that’s okay.
Speaker:If you let these feelings overwhelm you,
Speaker:they can have a negative effect on your life.
Speaker:You will start doubting yourself,
Speaker:questioning whether you are doing the right thing,
Speaker:and becoming critical of your flaws.
Speaker:When you start going through this,
Speaker:remember that it’s normal to feel this way.
Speaker:Recently,
Speaker:self-compassion has become an important part of mental health discussions and
Speaker:emotional well-being because psychologists and counselors have realized that
Speaker:people are very hard on themselves when life throws them challenges.
Speaker:According to Dr Julia Breines,
Speaker:it is important that we are able to forgive ourselves for the mistakes we make
Speaker:because everyone makes mistakes,
Speaker:and there are no perfect people in the world.
Speaker:Her studies have found that the inability to forgive oneself is linked to
Speaker:alcohol abuse,
Speaker:eating disorders,
Speaker:and suicide attempts.
Speaker:However,
Speaker:those who have embraced self-compassion seem to be able to handle stress better.
Speaker:Instead of dwelling on their problems,
Speaker:they accept that adversity is a part of life and don’t allow negative
Speaker:circumstances to overwhelm them.
Speaker:Everyone has flaws and insecurities,
Speaker:and it’s not something you should be ashamed of.
Speaker:By being open and honest about your struggles,
Speaker:you give people permission to be open and honest about theirs,
Speaker:which helps to build stronger connections with your friends and loved ones.
Speaker:Living your best life means being authentic and operating in your personal
Speaker:truth.
Speaker:By getting to know every part of yourself and putting that version of you on
Speaker:display,
Speaker:you will learn to have a true appreciation for who you really are,
Speaker:flaws and all.
Speaker:How To Recognize Your Weaknesses.
Speaker:When I started on my personal development journey,
Speaker:I had to accept that I was in the position I was in (more on that later)
Speaker:because of the decisions I had made.
Speaker:I had no one to blame for how my life had turned out but myself.
Speaker:My biggest weakness was procrastination;
Speaker:I had so many goals I wanted to achieve,
Speaker:but year after year,
Speaker:nothing was getting done because I was twiddling my thumbs.
Speaker:It wasn’t until I got real with myself that things started changing for me.
Speaker:A major part of the awakening is accepting that the things you are struggling
Speaker:with are holding you back.
Speaker:A lot of people don’t like this stage because it’s easier to blame everyone
Speaker:else for your problems.
Speaker:My biggest excuse was that I was depressed because of a failed relationship.
Speaker:My partner cheated on me,
Speaker:and it messed me up big time.
Speaker:But after a lot of therapy and inner work,
Speaker:I accepted that the trauma people inflict on us is not our fault;
Speaker:we didn’t do anything to deserve such treatment.
Speaker:However,
Speaker:healing is our responsibility.
Speaker:Regardless of the negative circumstances life has thrown at you,
Speaker:no one can heal you but you.
Speaker:The perpetrators have long gone on with their lives;
Speaker:they are not thinking about you,
Speaker:and waiting for them to apologize or do what needs to be done to repay you is a
Speaker:waste of time.
Speaker:Once you accept that you are the only person holding yourself back,
Speaker:life will become a lot easier.
Speaker:In this section,
Speaker:you will learn how to recognize your weaknesses.
Speaker:Self-Reflection .- Self-reflection involves evaluating your thoughts,
Speaker:emotions,
Speaker:and behavior.
Speaker:Basically,
Speaker:it’s about analyzing why you do the things you do,
Speaker:and why you feel the way you do.
Speaker:Examining your life in this way might seem overwhelming because things are not
Speaker:going the way you had hoped,
Speaker:or you may just be so busy that you simply don’t have the time for it.
Speaker:But if you want to change your life,
Speaker:it’s important that you hit the pause button because there is so much value
Speaker:in self-reflection.
Speaker:It will help you identify what is working for you and what isn’t.
Speaker:A part of understanding your weaknesses is getting to know yourself better,
Speaker:and self-reflection will help you accomplish this.
Speaker:Here are some questions to consider -
Speaker:•What worries or fears give me sleepless nights?
Speaker:•Is there anything in my life that I’m taking for granted?
Speaker:•What parts of my life am I fully satisfied with?
Speaker:•What parts of my life am I unsatisfied with?
Speaker:•Do I have a positive outlook on life?
Speaker:If not,
Speaker:what can I do to create one?
Speaker:•How can I improve my mental health?
Speaker:•What worries me about the future?
Speaker:•If I was to die tomorrow,
Speaker:how would I want my loved ones to remember me?
Speaker:•What is most important to me?
Speaker:•When was the last time I stepped out of my comfort zone?
Speaker:•Who has made the biggest impact on my life?
Speaker:•When was the last time a person was kind to me and how did it make me feel?
Speaker:•What would I prefer to live with—failing at my goals or never trying?
Speaker:•If I could change any aspect of my personality,
Speaker:what would it be?
Speaker:•Why do I care about what others think about me?
Speaker:•Is there anyone I trust enough to put my life in their hands?
Speaker:Monitor Your Thoughts .- More about thoughts in Chapter 3;
Speaker:however,
Speaker:when it comes to identifying your weaknesses,
Speaker:your thoughts play a major role because they govern your actions.
Speaker:Whatever you think about will manifest in your behavior.
Speaker:Therefore,
Speaker:paying attention to your thoughts will give you insight into your weaknesses.
Speaker:However,
Speaker:it’s important to mention that it’s difficult to monitor your thoughts
Speaker:because most of our thinking takes place on autopilot.
Speaker:For the most part,
Speaker:you are not paying attention to what you are thinking about.
Speaker:But it is possible to monitor your thoughts.
Speaker:Here’s how -
Speaker:•Make a conscious decision to monitor your thoughts by scheduling a time
Speaker:during the day to do so;
Speaker:for example,
Speaker:it could be first thing in the morning,
Speaker:or just before you go to bed.
Speaker:•Find a quiet place and set a timer for 15 minutes.
Speaker:Get a pen and notepad,
Speaker:bring awareness to your thoughts and write them down.
Speaker:•When 15 minutes are up,
Speaker:read over your thoughts and reflect on what you have been thinking about.
Speaker:Consider whether there was a purpose behind your thoughts.
Speaker:How did they make you feel?
Speaker:Did you have any positive thoughts?
Speaker:Did you have any negative thoughts?
Speaker:•At the end of the first week,
Speaker:read through your thoughts and identify any patterns.
Speaker:Questions To Identify Your Weaknesses.
Speaker:Get a notebook and pen,
Speaker:find a quiet location where you won’t be disturbed,
Speaker:and ask yourself the following questions -
Speaker:•What bad habits do you have that prevent you from achieving your goals?
Speaker:•What personality traits do you have that are holding you back from achieving
Speaker:your goals?
Speaker:•In what areas do you lack confidence?
Speaker:•What things do you avoid because they make you feel uncomfortable?
Speaker:•Are there any situations where you find it difficult to communicate
Speaker:assertively?
Speaker:•Do you find it difficult to maintain balance in your life?
Speaker:•Is there anyone you are holding a grudge against because of the things they
Speaker:have done to you in the past?
Speaker:•Do you have any bad habits that are hindering your relationships?
Speaker:•Do you have any bad habits that are hindering your personal growth?
Speaker:•Have your friends or family pointed out character flaws in you?
Speaker:•When do you lack discipline and feel unmotivated?
Speaker:S. W. O. T Analysis .- An effective way to identify your weaknesses is to use
Speaker:the S. W. O. T analysis method.
Speaker:The letters S. W. O. T stand for Strengths,
Speaker:Weaknesses,
Speaker:Opportunities,
Speaker:Threats.
Speaker:It is typically used by organizations,
Speaker:but individuals can also use it for personal development.
Speaker:Here’s how to do so -
Speaker:•Identify Your Strengths .- What positive attributes do you have?
Speaker:They can be personal qualities,
Speaker:skills,
Speaker:and/or knowledge.
Speaker:What are your most important values?
Speaker:What accomplishments are you the most proud of?
Speaker:Consider the things that people compliment you on the most.
Speaker:List any qualities that help you or others become better people.
Speaker:•Identify Your Weaknesses .- What negative attributes do you have?
Speaker:What areas of your life need improvement?
Speaker:Do you have any bad habits that are preventing you from achieving your goals or
Speaker:that are creating barriers to your personal development?
Speaker:Are there tasks you avoid because you don’t think you’re very good at them?
Speaker:What do your friends,
Speaker:family members,
Speaker:and co-workers perceive as your weaknesses?
Speaker:What negative personality traits do you have?
Speaker:•Identify Opportunities .- Are there any industry trends you can take
Speaker:advantage of?
Speaker:Are there any free courses on offer?
Speaker:Are there any mentors offering their services?
Speaker:Are there any networking events taking place?
Speaker:•Identify Threats .- Are you facing any obstacles at the moment?
Speaker:Do you have any enemies at work or in your personal life?
Speaker:Is technology threatening your job?
Speaker:Once you have created your S. W. O. T analysis,
Speaker:you can use it as a map to guide you as you do the work required to improve
Speaker:your weaknesses.
Speaker:This chapter should have been an eye-opener for you,
Speaker:and it might take a while for everything to truly sink in.
Speaker:The awakening is difficult and it requires doing some serious soul-searching.
Speaker:There are a lot of things you are not going to like,
Speaker:and that’s okay.
Speaker:As long as you are serious about changing your life,
Speaker:and you’re willing to do the work required to create the life you desire,
Speaker:you will achieve everything you set out to.
Speaker:You’ve got over the hardest part of this journey.
Speaker:In Chapter 2,
Speaker:you will learn all about how to ditch the victim mentality.
Speaker:This has been
Speaker:The Power of Action:
Speaker:Do It Now
Speaker:By Daniel Walte, narrated by russell newton.r
