Self-actualisation comes with a price… is it in $$$ or just finding yourself?
I remember
watching an interview with Marshall Bruce Mathers III aka ‘Eminem’. He was
asked if he was relieved as a successful artist that he no longer has to worry
about the poverty issues he endured from his early years. He said “while you do
not have to worry about money any more… all you really do is trade one set of
problems for another”. His insights are consistent with Maslow’s hierarchy of
needs of which self actualisation is at the top. So if a Rap star has such
insight, do we also posses similar insight into ourselves or are we a little
more adrift then we realise in our ‘raison d'être’?
Great
professionals are passionate about what they do and all passion comes from our
centre of gravity that is our ‘reason for being’, our ‘raison d’ être’ if you
will. Our ‘raison d’ être’ houses our values, our beliefs and our
interests in a seem-less structure that motivates us to reach for the stars
should we dream it so. So how can we harness this and realign our lives to what
will see us happy?
Fortitude. One needs to be sure they are lacking in
self-fulfilment as a human being, before calling and committing their energy,
strength and resources to change.
Honest Self Reflection. Be sure to be honest with yourself as you will be
the sole benefactor of truly knowing what lies in your own heart, thus able to
see where passion can be found from within. Without this, there is no compass to
direct us to happy outcomes in life.
Understand the outcome to begin. Lao Tzu said, “A journey of a thousand
miles begins with a single step”. I submit that we also need to make sure it is in the right direction. When we
find something that stirs our passion; research, testing and insights from
established professionals in the area are of paramount importance. Tragedy
occurs when our hearts are broken by simple misunderstandings on what we
thought something was ‘V’ what actually is.
New Direction ‘V’ Old Values. When we make change, we leave allot
behind on the way despite our intention to bring our “transferrable skills” with
us. We leave experiences and expertise on the shelf to expand ourselves by
engaging our passion in change for our new professional direction. It’s
important for sustainable change in our lives to be rooted in that centre of
gravity that is our raison d’ être. Without it, we risk conflicts with what lies
there such as our values, our beliefs and our inner peace. Without synergies
established with these elements within us, we will struggle more in our new
profession and never truly find happiness, which rests upon self-fulfilment
and actualisation. If we listen to our inner voice in self-reflection, we
increase our chances of success in just about anything we do that is aligned to
our raison d’ être.
Knowing our
course and direction in life, our need to be happy through self-actualisation,
should be considered a given, so what’s next?
Harness the passion. Structure passion to purpose and it will drive
you forward with impressive energy. Make this your presence in the world.
Feel a single purpose. Commitment can be felt. Feel it through your passion
for your new direction as a single purpose, a single cause in your life. Feel
pride when asked, “What do you do?” The reward lies in the two golden words of
reply “I am…”.
Draw from the past, don’t let the past draw from
you. My dear old mother
once told me that being able to let go of bitter experience and become better
by learning the lessons it teaches for the future is a real plus in change.
Be flexible. We all become settled in our comfort zones. To
reach a better place, we need to become happy outside of our comfort zones and
be willing to never stop learning and growing as individuals as much as
professionals. Be brave, be flexible and you will enable success to visit you
on your journey.
Plan a direction only. Avoid detailed planning for your career change as
you will become bogged in the plan’s detailed points, which inevitably will be
conflicting with life and it’s changing goal posts. My own career change plan
is simple and in a few lines: “(Research+Testing+Validation)+Plans/(College+SoftwareDev+Networking*2+CompScience+JobSearch+DevelopmentProjects+Progression)==Happiness."
Loving what you
do is not just a tagline for the ages, it’s a way to live your life, so deep
thought now can direct or redirect your life to greener pastures that you would
never think possible on any given day. By truly recognising our own raison d’ être, we
embrace our values, beliefs and inner qualities fuelling our passion for the
direction we want to take in life. By travelling a road to self-fulfilment and
meaningful contributions to the world we all share in, we make a better
tomorrow by our efforts today! Not a bad start, middle and end, don’t you
agree?
Sources/Credits:
Pics;
Credits;
“Public Domain”
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