Work on improving yourself, not proving your worth

There are many unforgettable moments in the popular TV show Grey’s Anatomy. But one particular scene stands out for me. When Meredith Grey, the protagonist, is in a dark place fighting her demons, she messes things up in the hospital where she is a surgical intern. The pivotal moment is when Miranda Bailey, her mentor, says, “You are a gifted surgeon, but you’re not investing in yourself. You’re not pushing yourself to be better.”

The story tells us how Meredith took these words to her heart, and we know the rest.

Every one of us is gifted. But as Dr. Bailey says, we are not working on ourselves. It is not to say we do not work. We spend most of our energy to prove ourselves; be it in our jobs or our social life.

As always, we neither have the time nor the enthusiasm for the most important; namely, personal improvement.

Why

It is relevant to ask why we should endeavor to spend energy on ourselves. After all, it is not easy.

“Learn to work harder on yourself than you do on your job. If you work hard on your job you can make a living, but if you work hard on yourself you’ll make a fortune.”

― Jim Rohn  

The first reason is that you can make a fortune. Fortune doesn’t just mean a truckload of money. Well, it can be in some cases. But it is more than material gains in many others. Your psychological and physical health, emotional well-being, and good relationships are all gains.

The second is to keep yourself afloat in the tides of change. The world, as we know it, is changing rapidly with the intervention of Artificial Intelligence, biotechnology, and virtual reality. If we fail to learn and adapt, we risk being redundant.

How

Be a lifelong learner  

Learning cannot be emphasized enough. Be ready to experiment with new subjects that you can learn online. Apart from courses and books, you can learn from your experience too. Be prepared to take some risks and experience life. You can do some social experiments, lifestyle experiments, and dietary experiments.

Hone your skills  

It is not enough to learn and acquire new skills. You have to work on it patiently. Perseverance is the least common trait you will find among people. If you have that you will lead.

Keep with the trends of the time

The times are changing fast. The work environment, job requirements, and even our day-to-day life are being impacted by AI-fueled technology. We have to be flexible enough to adapt and take advantage of these facilities.

Maintain physical and psychological health

Health is wealth. Do not sacrifice it for anything. Eat well, exercise well, and sleep well. Be aware of your psychological well-being also. Try to be organized, break bad habits, and practice meditation. These can help you to maintain a calm head.

Develop good relationships

If we can zero in on one single factor that makes people happy it is the quality of their relationships, so the Harvard research says. Hence, invest your energy and time in nurturing quality relationships.

Do it!

All through our lives, we are confined to the hamster wheel of our jobs and responsibilities. Apart from making us tired, our efforts don’t take us anywhere. We need to open our eyes and see the cages we are in. Only then can we break out and be free.

Work on yourself and acquire the fortune that awaits you.

Thank you for reading. Please post your thoughts in the comment box below.