Seen a couple of people on the TL talking about how they feel they haven’t achieved enough/something.

[A thread]

Disclaimer

Even I as write this, I fall in the same trap of thinking I’m not doing enough, performing enough or even being enough. I want you to know you’re not alone.

If you’re like me, someone who works for themselves, there's an enormous pressure to make, create, improve, see and do. It's never-ending. This becomes even worse when you scroll through Instagram feeds and the TL. We become so scared we'll get left behind.

To remain relevant or “important” we become unnecessarily busy. We create self-made rollercoasters that keep going round in circles. And before we know it we become very exhausted. We hate to hear it but the pressure sometimes is self-inflicted.

That’s the reality we need to accept. Especially if we are to create value and grow. First question should be “Who am I trying to impress?” and “Why?”. If it’s fear of improvement or not living up to your potential it is very normal.

However if it’s because we want to impress someone just for some likes then we have the wrong reasons. We need to pause and ask ourselves, does this really matter. How much value will it add to you if you achieve that something.

Because believe it or not, there are people posting about their achievements or ‘happy’ lives just because they don’t want their audience to see how miserable their lives really are. In today’s lingo we say CLOUT.

It’s become the norm in today’s world. Trading respect and authenticity for some likes. But if you’re looking to make substantial progress. Take a minute and get in tune with yourself.

Bruce Lee once said

“I fear he who has trained one kick 10,000 times more than he who has trained 10,000 kicks”

Or what my teachers who used to say Jack of all trades is a master of none. To hit your target you need laser focus. Focus is the most powerful traits a human being can have.

To focus you need to remove everything else that doesn’t matter. Now for you to know what doesn’t matter you first need to know what matters.

To know if a bank note is fake, you need to know features of a real note. The same concept can apply to you and what matters to you.

One of the biggest cause of depression is the noise and clutter from the things that don’t matter. More importantly our reluctance when it comes to cutting out what doesn’t matter.

We keep carrying dead weight and keep wondering why we feel heavy, why we are tired, why we aren’t progressing.

Years come and go with resolutions we can’t even accomplish. I fall victim to this from time to time too. However, once I find myself in this position. I fall back and recollect myself. Ask myself what really matters.

Even if it means cutting out social media, video games, social hangouts etc. I will do it until I understand what really matters to me. But this requires so much discipline and focus. And this might work for some and for others it might not.

One of the other biggest setbacks is playing the comparison cards. JUST STOP. You’ll lose before you even achieve or get to where you want to be. I understand the pressure from our parents, peers, social media etc.

We’re fixed on who has the ‘best’ car, ‘best’ phone, ‘best’ looking house and so on. We get lost in that. And when we see that what we have isn’t up to that standard we feel useless or not as good enough.

I’m not saying don’t aim for good things. I for one want the best things life has to offer, but I know I will never get them if I sit and compare myself to what my neighbour has.

Everyone has a different process and journey. And it is very unlikely that you'll gain success by copying ‘them’ because you won't have been through the process yourself.

You have to focus on your strengths and what really matters to you. But as I said earlier you need to understand what it is. That’s only for you to figure out, not your crush, boss, partner, best friend. NO ONE BUT YOU.

Lastly, what does success mean to you? A lot of people have a vague answer, like “so much money”, “a good life” etc. sorry but you need to be explicit. What does success mean to you?

Instead of focusing on what happens next, take a moment to celebrate how far you've already come. Keep doing your work and keep the faith. Ask for help where need be. Celebrate your friend’s wins but don’t lose yourself in the noise of what so and so is achieving.

You’re a King, a Queen and no one can rule your kingdom but YOU.

Don’t look down on yourself.