Self-realization is the trend of the times. Everyone and everything around calls for “self-realization”, following “your calling”, being “yourself” and so on and so forth. Maximize your abilities, realize your potential, find your way and become yourself — what’s not great? Self-realization is actually wonderful, perhaps this is the meaning of life.
At the same time, I would like more realism. The following is an attempt to debunk some of the most popular myths about success through self-realization.
Myth number XXUMX. People know what they want out of life and what they want to do. This assumption is made from the already cliché slogan “Do what you love.” Most people don’t even know what they want to do. Constantly confronted with “do what you love,” you begin to feel inferior from what you don’t know. But the truth is that only a few are lucky enough to understand their «calling» at a young age, when making decisions about the future. “Inside yourself” this answer cannot be found by digging. If you are not one of the «lucky ones» — you have to follow the path of experience (action) and awareness. And sometimes it’s a long way. And it often happens that goals change. In fact, one must not only “search for oneself”, one must, for the most part, do it.
Myth number 2. Doing what you love is a path paved with roses, “a life full of joy and pleasure” (quote from an American book). Another thing is more realistic: a business, even a favorite one, is still a business. Work. In which not only your favorite work, but also a lot of routine moments, obstacles, problems. It can be difficult to deal with such “disappointment”, and it is better to be prepared for reality.
Myth number 3. “If you truly love what you do, you will become a master at it.” What level do you want to reach. Not all athletes, artists and musicians become great or at least famous (as well as representatives of other professions). Remember Salieri. It is important to be realistic in assessing your abilities and limitations. Although history knows examples of great overcoming — but this is not always the case. There remains the risk that it will not work out to become a Grand Master. It is hardly appropriate to be attached to the result here.
Myth number 4. “Doing what you love well, you can get good money for your skill” (again, a quote from the Americans). I beg of you! What kind of money do firefighters or rescuers get? I don’t know how they are there in America, but we also have teachers, doctors, representatives of creative professions, and so on and so forth. There are still some chances if, with all his skill, a person has an entrepreneurial streak (in the broad sense of the word), but on the basis of “skill” in a narrow specialty it is often impossible not only to get good money, but even just to have a normal quality of life. When making a choice, it is important to be aware of this and act realistically.
“Stay hungry, stay reckless” sounds beautiful. And this is the basis of accomplishments. But do not be naive — be prepared to face reality.