Success, what is it? There is a lot of discussion on the internet about how to succeed in life and what are the key steps that need to be followed to achieve everything that our hearts desire in terms of fame, wealth and glory. Have we ever wondered, what exactly are our dreams, and what exactly does our heart desire? Do we know ourselves well before we embark on this trip towards success?
The famous Greek philosopher Socratesonce said, “To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom”.
It is important for us to realize that knowing ourselves does not necessarily mean knowing our inner selves. The body and the mind are designed to work in collaboration, and hence, knowledge about the mind is exceedingly related to knowledge about the body.
Success Is Knowing Our Body:
Change is inevitable with growing age. Respecting such transformations in your body and keeping a check on your energy levels is important for your inner as well as outer self to function properly.
Let me tell you certain simple questions we should constantly ask ourselves to keep our lives on track and enjoy success at every venture.
- How are my eating habits? Am I eating wise?
In our hearts, we know which foods suit us. Does the food we eat make us lethargic for the day or does it give us adequate energy? Shouldn’t you avoid a heavy dinner in case you have to go for a run early in the morning the next day? Our experiences have guided us enough about what is healthy and unhealthy for our bodies.
Since each one of our selves is different, there is no one but ourselves who can prioritize our health and keep our eating habits in place.
- How much rest does my body need?
You might sleep for six hours and feel active, but your friend might need at least eight hours of sleep to get back on track.
We need to figure out how much sleep our body requires, while making sure we do not over-sleep, since the latter not only delays our productivity, but also sends the wrong signal to our brain which in turn affects our body clock.
Do not let your brain make a fool out of you!
- What kind of physical activity is necessary for my body?
As I mentioned in my previous blog on the importance of exercise in our lives where in the past, my high-pressure job at a bank had gifted me a truck load of stress and extra 15 kgs of weight. I did not realize the importance of exercising for my body until I met a friend who played squash. I started playing the game and cycling on a daily basis, when my physical condition began to improve and I began to enjoy my life! My body needed this kind of physical activity.
Run, stretch out, for your body needs you as much as you need your body!
Success Is Knowing Our Mind And Changing Your Mindset:
Are you extremely irritable? Do you feel angered at even the slightest of traffic on the roads in the morning, or at a tiny inconvenience? How do you tackle negative situations?
As I began my journey of self-transformation, I came across questions about myself at the very first step. I was asked by my mentors, as to what are my strengths and my weaknesses, because until I knew my weaknesses, how could I begin working upon them? Through analyzing my daily routine, and keeping a check on my actions, I began to figure out my high as well as low points. Exercising had become my high point, and stress was my primary weakness!
- Evaluating your Strengths:
Instances where you feel a rush through your gut and a desire to scream out, ‘this is my moment!’ are those highs you need to live for. You are either born with certain strengths or you choose to inculcate them in the course of your life. It may be the god-gift of a good voice, a knack of delivering a speech on the stage, the trick of making a buyer fall in love with your product, your way of handling stressful situations, your goodwill towards others or physical fitness! Your strength is what keeps you in a high life condition. You need to recognize and cherish your strength and not let any external force doubt your qualities.
Learn to appreciate yourself because it is a pillar for building self-confidence!
- Evaluating your Weaknesses:
‘I know I can’t handle this situation well. I think it is best for me to escape this kind of stress!’ Do you get such thoughts often? Such a thought may seem extremely negative; however, not realizing where you lack is often worse. An escape in the correct manner is never a negative trait. Your weaknesses are situations where you stoop down to a low life condition, blaming yourself and the others. Best to know your enemy well before you jump into the war zone!
Plan your days in a manner to work towards changing your lows into your highs! This is the best possible way to lead your life!
Richard Bach’s famously illustrated novella ‘Johnathan Livingston Seagull’ tells the life of Johnathan, an ordinary Seagull who goes out of its way to know more about its desires and ambitions, to learn the mechanics of flight, when his elders always believed that seagulls can never be champions of flight! Johnathan succeeds when he decides to step out of preconceptions and work hard on itself!
Why waste time on the outer world when you can spend time on yourselves, constructively?
When do you plan on working for a healthy physical as well as mental life-state?
If you want to understand how and where to start, let’s have a conversation.
Think about this – introspect and make that resolve and enjoy success. As you exercise this resolve, Stay Healthy & Stress-free!!
