Welcome to the Deploy Yourself Newsletter. Every two weeks I share what impactful leadership looks like to show your own power. I also share the most insightful lessons and stories I encountered in the last two weeks. You can also read this issue online.
Hey,
You Are Your Own Biggest Enemy
The biggest challenge success brings is success itself. The strengths that made you successful in the past often become your biggest barrier in the future, as they stop you from seeing new ways of growing further. Every strength has a dark side, and you soon realize that what got you here won’t get you to the next level of success.
This is why so many people are struggling to understand why doing MORE of what made them successful in the past just isn’t working anymore. What makes the problem worse is that this is often a blind spot for high performers. And it is scary when they realize this paradox. If you want to constantly make the “impossible” happen, you also have to constantly re-invent yourself – again and again.
What stands in the way of your “impossible” goals is not something out there (money, people, skills, etc) but your own unexamined patterns of thinking. They are thoughts like – “I am an executioner, not a visionary.”, “I am a slow learner”, “I am an introvert.”, “I do not know how to do XYZ”, or “I am not smart/good/talented enough”. What might that be for you?
The only enemy you need to worry about is you yourself. Because only you decide how small or big you dream. Only you decide when to quit and give up. Only you can decide what to do next – irrespective of your situation. And, it is only you who decides the way you experience the world, the emotions you experience, and the attitude you take as you move forward.
Where are you being your biggest enemy? What dreams might be possible if you get out of your own way?
If you want to share your impossible dreams and the thoughts that might be blocking you, reply to this email. I read and respond to every reply.
Articles and Stories Which Have Fascinated Me
One
8 Reasons We Should Know Our Values, Worth, and Purpose
I often wonder why we don’t know our values as adult human beings? Why don’t we know what is important to us and what we care for? Why don’t we know our worth? It seems to be an important question, yet most of us face this question by accident, and not by design.
It is not possible to have a fulfilling life unless you take care of what you care about. When you connect to the things that matter most, you experience true joy. Otherwise, you may end up doubting yourself and questioning why you are doing what you are doing, even when you achieve success by society’s standards.
Self-awareness begins with knowing what makes you tick, and what is most important to you. The following are some benefits to be gained from knowing your worth – your values and what you stand for.
- Knowing your values may not lead to fame or fortune, but it will foster maturity and help you stay grounded.
- Values Help You Find Your Purpose. You won’t know what you want out of life if you don’t figure out what is important to you.
- You can use your values to determine your actions in moments of crisis. Your values can serve as a moral lighthouse in those tough times.
- They are Valuable in Decision Making
- Identifying your values will help you clear out the clutter. It will help you clear the mud from the water allowing you to see clearly. You can then focus your time and energy on what matters and brings value, satisfaction, and aliveness into your life.
- They Help You Choose the Right Career. Knowing what you stand for, and what matters to you, will help you consciously take your life and career forward, rather than just drifting with the flow.
- Knowing your values and worth shapes your beliefs. It enables you to develop strong opinions about key subjects.
- When you take action aligned with your values and to take care of what you care about, the result will be a more meaningful and happier life.
From an article from my desk titled 8 Reasons We Should Know Our Values, Worth, and Purpose
Two
How a Question May Be the Best Answer
It is so easy to jump to “solution mode” and later find we have missed valuable insights, barriers, or perspectives. So I ask you – when posed with a question do you jump to the “answer” which is formulated from your own perspective, desires, and, priorities or do you hold in your response and ask another question?
The below article poses a challenge to the reader when asked a question :-
- Resist the temptation to answer immediately, instead take a breath and allow for a moment of pause which gives the other person permission to elaborate or clarify. Count slowly to 3 before responding.
- Notice your own 125-400 rule, how accurately does your spoken word reflect your true thoughts and intentions? This will require insight and deep reflection. Does what you say reflect what you mean? Remember, the other person is not in your head and will only know the words you speak.
From an article titled – How a Question May Be the Best Answer
Three
Gandhi on Changing The World vs Changing Ourselves
As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world — that is the myth of the atomic age — as in being able to remake ourselves.
~ Mahatma Gandhi
That’s it for now. If you have any questions or feedback, or just want to introduce yourself, hit reply. I read and respond to every reply. All the best,
Sumit
(Twitter) @SumitGupta
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