If we shirk the responsibility of self-awareness, we empower other people and circumstances to shape our lives for
us. We live reactively to their scripts and not our own maps.
~ Stephen Covey
Most folks know the following things about me:
- I am a big thinker who enjoys new ideas and have issues in the area of details
- I am a professional salesman
- I am in the real estate industry
- I have a large family
- I am easily distracted and passionate
- I can be loud
- I have to concentrate to achieve follow through
- I am working on getting comfortable in my own skin
- I have no problem telling you any of this
As I look up at the above list, I realize that some of those traits can both be seen as real good stuff and amazing bad habits depending on who is doing the seeing. The wonderful thing is, I see them all as positive. I appreciate the fact that I can look into my own makeup and celebrate those things that are fantastic and forgive and improve those things that need work.
In the lives of each of us, there are traits and people who are less than supportive. They may not be intentional or unkind – they just are. It is important to realize that we need to neither understand nor alter these outside forces. We just need to recognize that there are there. Then the objective becomes to remember that we cannot change the forces outside of us, only those within us.
Today I encourage you to revel in your own self-awareness. Take time to really enjoy the you who makes your piece of the world a better place. Write down those talents and positive traits. Call someone and tell them what your list says and allow them to be excited with you. Include those things that haven’t been brought to a polish yet, but your fortitude is moving you towards improvement. That in itself is a win! Allow others to have their input (that sort of thing can be valuable). But do not allow them to speak contradicting routes into your plans. You are wonderful because you are who you are. Our maps are good. We understand adjustment. We appreciate a co-pilot, but have little need for a backseat driver.