When you dare to be an
original you are in essence daring to be
"yourself" and everything that encompasses who you really are. To
many of us, that can be a scary and daunting proposition.
And why is that?
Because it means putting ourselves on the
line. It means subjecting ourselves to scrutiny, judgment and possible
ridicule. It means exposure and vulnerability.
Certainly there is more comfort to be found in
conformity, lying low, and blending in with the crowd.
There is also boredom, complacency, and the
prospect of never living to yourpotential.
It takes courage and self-confidence to dare to be an original - to reveal your
uniqueness and to show that you're one of a kind. However, as with any
frightening endeavor, the rewards of overcoming obstacles and prevailing far
out weigh the consequences of not venturing forth.
As the late Steve Jobs noted in his speech at
a Stanford University graduation commencement:
"Your time is
limited; so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by
dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let
the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most
important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow
already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."
It's true. Life is too short to live it trying
to be anything other than your true, original self. Be who you are, and be it
the best way you know how. Celebrate your individuality and uniqueness. Dare to
be an original!
Tips on how to be an
original or your true self:
·
Know who you are. Before you can be
yourself, you must know who that is, and then be true to that self. Centuries
ago Socrates wisely observed that self-knowledge is the pillar of all virtue. Without it nothing else is
genuine.
·
Trust your intuition and instincts. Part of knowing who
you are istrusting
your intuition and instincts. We all
have an inner gauge that guides us along our most fulfilling path. Look deep
within to find the answers to your life. No one is better at knowing what you
need and want from life than you. Of course, it is prudent to listen to the
advice of family, friends and professionals, but you are the ultimate authority
on you. You are unique and original and no one but you can make your decisions
for you. To go against that intuition is to go against your fundamental nature
and source of satisfaction.
·
Express yourself by cultivating your own style, tastes and
personality. Many people try to be
like those who seem to be popular. Rather than work on developing themselves
they try to copy others and lose themselves in the process. Much time is wasted
in such pursuits and the results are disillusionment and feelings of failure.
When you work on cultivating your own style, tastes and personality,
not only are you genuine and authentic, you're more interesting and attractive
to others. Let go offear and embrace your uniqueness. Make your life an
expression of who you are.
As Steve Jobs said,
have the courage to follow your heart. If you desire to be an artist, don't
settle for being an accountant because your parents want you to be, or because
you can make more money at it. In the end you will lose out because the money
won't matter if you're unhappy, unmotivated or depressed.
·
Believe in yourself and don't worry about what others think. When you choose the
right path for yourself do not allow the opinions of others to distract you.
People are good at offering well-intentioned, unsolicited opinions, however
only you know what's best for you. Don't let a lack ofself-confidence or self-doubt prevent you from pursuing what you know is
best for you. Let go of your personal insecurities. If you strive to be someone
you're not, you will never be happy. Be yourself. Be
proud of who you are. People who have a more positive view of themselves live
better, healthier lives.
When you dare to be an
original, you dare to be courageous, strong, and vibrant and are willing to
realize the full potential of your unique skills and talents.
The Benefits of Being
an Original:
o You are true to
yourself, therefore derive greater personal satisfaction and fulfillment.
o You are willing to
take risks, think originally and be creative, therefore are open to greater
career opportunities and advancement.
o Due to a willingness
to let go of convention, you live life to the fullest and on your terms.
o Whether in your
career, the arts, or in your
community, you offer a fresh, new, diverse perspective.
o You are usually a
trailblazer, set new trends and discover new ways of doing things.
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