The Hard Truth of Becoming Your Best Self

Embracing your true self.

Becoming the person you’ve always wanted to be.

Literally being yourself- the person and career woman or man that you most want to be.

What does that look like?

For many of us, the biggest piece of the puzzle is always getting to the knowing. As we continue to search for deeper meaning, we feel the desire to make a declaration. “I am…”

We know that being in the right mindset is so powerful. We know that visualizing ourselves and speaking positive affirmations over our lives is life-changing. It completely changes our perspective and the way we see ourselves- as well as how others see us.

Gaining this clarity means knowing who we really are, why that matters, how we’re going to get where we want to be, and what we need to do about it.

It means walking through that door, embracing your true self and living the life that brings joy, peace and fulfillment to your heart and soul.

Can you walk through that door? Are you willing to do what it takes to get to that space?

Surely, it won’t be easy. Because growth never is. And that’s really what I’m talking about.

The Hard Truth of Personal Growth

“We have the choice of two identities: the external mask which seems to be real…and the hidden, inner person who seems to us to be nothing, but who can give himself eternally to the truth in whom he subsists.” — Thomas Merton

Growth is hard.

Sometimes it feels like all anyone ever looks at is the results. The outcomes. The “bottom line” value that very often is quantifiable.

They don’t see the blood, sweat, tears, anxiety, fears, battles — and inner-triumphs that change the course of our lives forever!

We know that deep-down, we’re growing. We want others to see this and recognize it. And when we perceive that others don’t seem to care, we get worried. It bothers us.

How could that be?! Can’t you see me growing over here!

And this lack of validation and affirmation can lead to self-criticism and negative self-judgment.

Let’s face it- a lot of the judgement we put on ourselves is self-imposed. Every one of us is trying to grow. But the worst possible thing we can is sabotage ourselves on our road to trying to better our lot in life!

I can tell you from my experience, this is exactly what once happened to me. I thought I was growing. I thought I was walking through that door and into the life of my dreams. The truth is, I was dwelling, at times, in the past. I was getting far too anxious about my future.

I was the ultimate critic of myself and it was to my detriment.

I was barely giving myself room to breathe on the inside. Eventually, I came up for air. I started to see things more clearly. What I learned from my struggles was to stop beating myself up. I assure you- the world is going to do enough of that for us.

Be Willing to Try Again

If you’ve ever tried to succeed at anything in life, you probably haven’t achieved your goal on the first try. Maybe you did. But I bet you didn’t on the second or third try. Nothing worth achieving comes easy. It’s a fight to get what is truly great. It’s a fight to reclaim the life we want for ourselves. To know ourselves and be the best possible person we can be.

Growth isn’t easy.

It’s a harsh reality of life, but one that we’re best equipped to embrace and manage. We all want to move forward and on to the next level of our development. We will. And we WILL sustain the gains along the way. We have to realize that walking through that door means doing so with a clear mind, focus, discipline, confidence and conviction.

Don’t look back. Stop worrying. And ditch the excuses.

There’s a whole lot of living to do. It starts with you. Embrace yourself for everything that you are and everything you want to be. If you’re not yet where you hoped you’d be, please keep focusing on doing your best every day with love and joy in your heart. That choice is always within your control.

You can walk through that door. You just have to take the first step.

Learn more about finding your best self and get great tips on living your best life: http://chrisdconnors.com

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