You must like you

This week we encountered pretty big milestones and deadlines in the office.  There were triumphs and there were failures.

The triumphs showed how teams and the individuals in the teams grew.  The failures highlighted where teams and individuals in teams need to improve.  We will learn from our failures and be stronger.

 

It also emphasized the importance of understanding human behaviour and our own behaviour.  Socrates said, “Know yourself.  The unexamined life is not worth living”

My thoughts still wandered back to the recent road trip and the many things I learnt too.  This reminded me of a piece I wrote earlier in the year, after a very enjoyable solo ride to Cape Town. Here’s a slightly reworked version:

One of the things I enjoy about a road trip on the bike is the time I get to spend with myself, irrespective of whether I have a pillion, ride in a group or on my own.  On this particular ride, I was alone and I loved it.  

I had interesting conversations with myself.  I had arguments with myself.  I made plans.  I sang.  I made new plans and sang more.  I “wrote” stuff (I struggle to remember everything I “write” while on the bike, but I don't let that stop me).  And I enjoyed the open road, of course.

The idea of not being able to escape your own company for a period of time is something many people struggle with.  Not me - not anymore!  I like me.  Not in a selfish or narcissistic sense, I am just comfortable with who I am and enjoy my own company.

We all love ourselves.  It's in our DNA and we cannot escape it.  If you don't believe me, try to poke yourself in the eye with your pen - go on, try it.  Just as I thought…

Now think how much you like you and can you like yourself a bit more?

I'm not suggesting we turn a blind eye to our obvious shortcomings, bad habits or areas where we can improve ourselves.  Please be very aware of all of them and continue to work on the ones you want to.  I constantly work on mine.

But I want you to look yourself in the eye every day and say “I like you!” and mean it.  Not “I love you”, because that's as effective as doing a little dance before sunrise and thinking you made the sun come up.  It's the default and your little dance will be pointless.

My experience is that if you like yourself, it becomes easier to make the changes you want to make.  It becomes easier to really commit to change.  Let's face it, most of the issues we have with ourselves come down to lifestyle choices and bad habits, nothing more.

For some people, liking themselves come natural, for others it comes with age, experience or therapy.  Sadly, some people never experience it.

My wish is for each and every one of you and your family, and your friends and their friends, to really like yourself.  It will change your outlook towards others, towards your job and towards your life - try it, you have nothing to lose.

Albert Einstein said “Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value”.  

It's your life, do with it what you will.  Just make sure you like you in the process.