Boost Yourself: The Power Of Daring To Be Your True Self
Dive into the playbooks and mindsets of modern-day legends, decoding their secrets to mastery from Tim Ferriss' "Tools of Titans". Gain fresh thinking tools to elevate your life.
THE POWER OF AUTHENTICITY IN A WORLD OF TRENDS
"You’re not responsible for the cards you’re dealt. You're responsible for maxing out what you were given." (Christopher Summer)
Have no fear, you’ve got one chance: make things amazing and “be your unapologetically weird self”. A quote by Chris Sacca, who perfectly embodied this. He became known through wearing his (weird) signature cowboy shirts that weren’t just fashion choices. They became part of his investor identity, proving the power of embracing your unique style.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE WORLD CHANGES?
Your personality is your foundation for success in any environment. It's the most valuable asset you can cultivate and can never be taken away from you (see my newsletter on Talent Makeover). Many of the people interviewed in the book, have made a crucial bet in their life: on themselves. They have discovered their own ways of thinking and created their rules accordingly. These became their biggest assets. Being too focused on your competition blinds you to the bigger picture. Find your niche and play your own game.
“Investing in yourself is the most important investment you’ll ever make in your life” (Warren Buffet)
Once you dig deeper and find a different narrative that works for you, you are able to change the game. Move beyond the limitations of "playing the hand you're dealt." Find a different table, rewrite the rules, and set yourself up for flexibility and growth. There are no real rules, so make the ones that work for you!
“It took me a bunch of cycles to figure out that the narrative was up to me” (Seth Godin)
MISSION OVER TREND
Trends are being seen as “things to avoid” by many of the people interviewed in the book. Once you have a trend, you get lots of competition and little differentiation. Think about it: the world is full of things that are created, not just born. This idea can be uncomfortable – it means taking ownership and forging your own path.
“Don’t be afraid to do something that you’re not qualified to do. If I had always done what I was qualified to do, I’d be pushing a broom somewhere” (Dan Carlin)
JUST START WALKING YOUR WAY AND STAY CONSISTENT
Ask yourself questions like: "What tasks do I assign myself out of obligation, and what truly fuels my own goals?" Remember, you control your energy. Break free from the endless to-do lists of others and prioritize your own agenda. Educate yourself, the possibilities nowadays are endless.
FIND YOUR IKIGAI
The Japanese framework of IKIGAI roughly translates into “reason of being”. It’s the sweet spot where your passions, talents, and the needs of the world collide. There are many resources to help you discover your personal Ikigai, but here’s a question that may be used as a shortcut: "If you were given a billion dollars to solve a problem and improve the world, what would you pursue?" This question can spark the journey towards finding your unique niche and purpose.
“Make yourself rare by combining two or more “pretty good” skills of yours until no one else has your mix” (Seth Godin)
Thrive, not just survive!
Yours, Anna
a little thought inspiration for today
“Named must be your fear before you can banish it”, by Yoda