Self-awareness is like an enema when you've crammed a bunch of Pop Rocks in your ass: you need it. Without self-awareness, you will think you're effective when you're not, talented when you are lacking, and deserving when you aren't (Also, you may fail to critique your own ideas, and end up with half a box of Pop Rocks in your ass).
One of the most crucial element of self-awareness is knowing if you deserve to achieve your goals. For example, I would like to be a writer, but I clearly need to work on my similes and metaphors. I'm skeptical that the whole Pop Rocks/ass/enema-level wordplay will cut it in the long run. Simply put, I haven't put in enough time to be deserving of a writing career.
Do you deserve a better financial situation? A healthier body? More free time? What are you doing to increase your chances of obtaining those things? You may work hard and get none of those benefits, but you'd at least be deserving of them. Without the hard work, you won't get them, and you can't complain. Because you didn't deserve it.
Be brutally honest with yourself. Try to see your efforts as an outside observer. What would others say about your work ethic and commitment? Don't berate yourself. Give yourself compassionate and constructive criticism. Ask if you really deserve what you are chasing.
And on that note, I will slink away to think up something better than an ass full of Pop Rocks to inspire you with tomorrow.
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Or read more daily meditations:
The Human Predicament, Explained In Under 5 Minutes
Feelings Don't Come With Instructions
Why We Should Stop Saying "Pressure Creates Diamonds"
Practicing Gratefulness Isn't Just A Cliche
How To Handle Adversity? Expect It.
Don't Fight For Hills That You Can't Keep
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