Self-Realization

This is the new beginning. I’m trying to start a new blog / news letter. This has to be about self-realization. My new journey started with self realization only. I knew that there was something wrong in what I’ve been doing. I’ve been doing a good 9 to 5 job and not happy much about it. So, the journey to growth started with self-realization. How did self-realization arrived at first place?

Well in 2019, I was reading a book about finding passion or purpose? There were hard questions that made me think. I took a notebook and answered all the questions given in exercise while reading that book. Although i started with giving answer that came to my mind instantly. Then, it became little tough. I has to think through a lot. And when finished that book, i was in conclusion that I’ve to try learning different things to make progress. And since then the journey of self learning and growth started.

The Journey since 2019 has been a roller coaster rides and I tried lot of things. I went through lots of highs and lows. I invested a lot in learning both time and money. But I’m proud of my journey so far. I’ve learned and realized a lot. In between, I also took life coaching courses and even hired one-on-one coach. The key thing of life coaching is that the coach doesn’t answer your problem. He / She make you think and discover your own answer. Sometimes, you may also need to take help for Self-Realization.

The Journey to growth starts with Self-Realization. Without this, people stay stuck in their status quo. To get out of Matrix, first you’ve to realize that, something’s wrong. Once you realize and become sure, then the journey to growth gets started.

Self-Realization is not a one time exercise. One has to revisit his own truth periodically. Sometime, we get caught in between while chasing our dreams. Sometime course corrections are needed to reach the mars. You may get major breakthrough during first exercise or may not. So you’ve to keep on doing it until you’re personally satisfied with your outcome. And its highly likely that you many never get satisfied. So its a life long habit, that you should start taking seriously.

Self-Realization works very well if you take action after it. When you take actions on the outcome of your exercise, you’ll find lot of limitations and surprises. If you think over those limitations, its natural that you’ll start realizing more. Without action, Self-Realization means nothing. You may realize that you need to change some habits, you need to form some new good habits. But unless you work upon it, you remain exactly where you started.

Self-Realization help us to recognize our shortcomings. As we question our current situation, we become curious about missing things, that leads us to new discoveries. Mankind is naturally resistant to any significant change. Self-Realization help us in opening our mind as it explore the unknow territories and forces us to go beyond comfort zone. This can be a whole journey in itself.

The easiest way to do Self Realization is in 3 steps.

Step 1: Question the Status Quo.

Start questioning yourself on the status quo. Below are few questions you should try to answer:

- What is bothering you?
- What are things you don’t like in your life?
- What part of life you want to change or remove?
- What makes you feel more stress?
- What’s holding you to chase your dreams?
- Do you feel stuck? If yes, where and why do you feel stuck?
- Where you might be wrong?
- Are you having any limiting belief? i.e. a belief which you feel is right. But, it is somehow stopping you to make progress.
- Do you just keep on moving away from things, as soon as it gets little hard?
- Do you suffer from Fear, Laziness, Procrastination, Overthinking or Perfectionism?
- What are your bad habits that are holding yourself back?

Step 2: Challenge the Status Quo.

Once you’ve some kind of answers to few of above questions. Think about what can you do about this to change the situation. Do a little brainstorming over below questions:

- How can you change the bothering part of your life?
- How can you get rid of the hard part of your life? If you think that you can get rid of, how can you embrace it in self respectful way?
- What things you can do to reduce or eliminate the stress?
- What are first or initial few steps you can take in order to start working towards your dreams?
- What can you do to set yourself free?
- If you feel, you’re wrong at some place. How can you get yourself correct?
- What can you do to make a strong mindset to not to run away when things get tough? In fight or flight situations, what can you do to always choose fight?
- How can you become Fearless, Proactive, Smart Action Taker?

Step 3: Bring the change

Once you try to answer to the questions regarding how can you overcome from your current problems. Its time to take action and bring the change.

You may need to form new habits and get rid of old ones. What is the easiest thing you can do to get rid of any of your bad habit? It may start with simple steps like making your own bed when you wake up, not using mobile for first 30 mins after you wake up, no scrolling while coffee / meal, no social media after 9 PM etc.

And In order to form a new habit, here are two suggestions:

1. Don’t over commit. Build your habits slowly.

For e.g.

- You’re current waking up between 7.30 to 8.30 pm. If you feel that you can easily wakeup by 7.30 AM, set an alarm for 7.35 AM.

- If you can walk 1000 steps easily, start with 900 only.

When you get consistent on easier one, increase your intensity slowly. Take small incremental steps only. Master it before taking further improvement.

2. Never Miss twice. This I’ve learnt this from “Atomic Habits” by James Clear . The Idea is that never miss your streak two consecutive session. Even if you’ve to hit to gym for 5 mins, do that, but never miss two session in a row. Start recoding your streaks on a notebook, calendar or a spread sheet. And Try to tick off the boxes for every day or session. Don’t miss it twice. And due to unforeseen situation, if you miss it on 2nd day, don’t beat yourself. Come back stronger on 3rd day. Believe me, its very satisfactory to see your progress and when your streaks gets longer and longer.

Once you follow above 3 steps genuinely, you’re leading towards having a content life. Self-Realization can be a trigger point for fulfillment. Self Realization can be source of inspiration, it can be fire in your belly, it can be an accountability buddy. It is powerful. It is useful.

If you want to do great work and having big dreams. But, you’re not able to do anything about it. Its time to wake up. A Broke person will never be able to make other’s life better. Remember, You’ve to help yourself before helping others. And, Help yourself by indulging in Self-Realization activity.