We like to think that society – our work, position, family or some other external factor, holds us back from manifesting our true success.
You can make the argument that what is really limiting you is that society doesn’t allow you to be totally yourself. And it’s a great argument to make. It’s just not true.
You’re afraid that if your company knew you’re a lesbian it would hamper your promotion.
You think if you don’t cover your scar with makeup, people will find you unattractive.
You’re afraid to tell your spouse about the fetish that really excites you.
You downplay or even hide your religious beliefs (or your atheism), for fear it will cause friction with others.
You’re afraid that if you don’t use the initials after your name, or have the right title, that you won’t command the respect you deserve.
In all of these examples above (and thousands more I could write), the real issue is you. You’re allowing the opinions of others to influence your self-worth. You’re changing yourself to meet other peoples’ expectations, requirements or wishes. But the self-actualized person never does this.
Yes there are people who will try to discriminate against you, hold you back, harm you or even kill you, simply because of who you are. But they only have that power if you give it to them. You have to be willing to stand up for yourself, even (and especially) when it means losing a job, speaking up, fighting back or escaping. Because if you can’t live being the real you, you die a little every day.
If you’re a woman in a Taliban-controlled country, a transgender person in Russia, an overweight kid being bullied in school, or a similar situation – protect yourself first and foremost. But seek help, and if help isn’t available, escape the situation or surroundings. Refuse to stay in any environment that doesn’t allow you to be you.
Society isn’t holding you back from being totally yourself. You are holding you back from being totally yourself.
-RG
Reader interactions
23 Replies to “Be Yourself”
lifetosuccess Thanks!
Good stuff, Randy. Actually was having lunch with a friend today and we talked about you. I’d recently (few months ago) turned her on to your work, she’s read a couple of your books and some of this online stuff. She’s a fan. Anyway, she’s about to start a blog and I have intentions to do the same at some point down the road too and we were talking about the freedom to not filter ourself at all, not pandering to some of the petty, insignificant crap so many people want to focus on, etc..
We both used you as one example of someone who’s pretty resolved to being true to yourself and your voice. You’re a beautiful demonstration of that and it’s appreciated.
Fathoming the idea that being called ‘weird’ would be a compliment, the ‘rules’ of today’s society challenge that notion. But the Truth is that the select few WILLING to be ‘weird’ (the round peg in the square hole) are the true leaders, innovators and more importantly, the ‘crazy ones’. We all remember the legendary marketing push that put Apple on the map, “Think Different” and it’s those of us WILLING to be Ourselves regardless how ‘different’ we are, that matter. What you resist persists. How you view Life is how it shows up. So why bother viewing it from anyone else’s eyes but your own?
Randy, about that spouse and fetish thing – at what speed do I set the ceiling fan while she’s hanging onto it if she says yes? I just want to err on the side of caution.
CarlyAThorne Thanks!
AMEN
Randy, I agree with you about external factors holding us back from being ourselves and manifesting our desires. My question is do you have a daily routine that keeps you on track? Besides reading books, do you listen to subliminals for prosperity, or maybe affirmations? Do you incorporate meditation as part of you day? What is your normal day look like?
BobBurg check it out, your tweet is now live on #InSouthFlorida, http://rbl.ms/1lDl9vm
BobBurg Mad love…
nataliab All of the above! -RG
InSouthFlorida Thank you. Very appreciated!!
Where is my instruction manual….
Depends on if that “self” is resourceful.
yes..yes..yes….. always…
“Be yourself!”
…each of us is unique which is awesome!
I humbly thank my creator for that and i pray to be the person he meant for me to be each day.
“Enjoy life because it’s a gift and so are you! U0001f609″…
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When I was a child some adults around me used to ask: What will people think of you? I guess that question was partly responsible for the habit of considering the opinion of others more important than my own opinion.
Just Insist to be
We are a social species so we are all affected by how others treat us and what they think of us.
However, we do not have to build a prison for ourselves because other people have issues and fears they refuse to confront.
Life is too short to live it in the chains of another person’s demons.
I’ve discerned it all rests on “Self concept” & self image. I think we have to go “beyond” this.. as the power to conceive, is always
greater than any conception (self concept)
what can we manifest in this, how much freedom and prosperity CAN we manifest, through this magnificent experience of life and humanhood, or “personhood”?
How can we summon our prosperity powers to maximize our results? ..this is my (self) leading question. How about you?
…everyone else is already taken!
The biggest enemy of that has all it takes to conquer us is “our self” no man has the power to define your destiny except you, what you will be in life all depends on ‘You”.
FLSpeakers Thanks 4 the love!
True Wisdom! I have been there,everything that Mr. Gage is pointing out is right on point! If your not doing you! It’s time to read what Mr. Gage is sharing!