EDITORIAL: Reprogramme yourself for success
IT is the ultimate irony that many of the values people hold dear are the very obstacles to them achieving their dreams. As Bob Marley so eloquently stated, in order for a person to excel they must “emancipate themselves from mental slavery”.
As children, we are moulded by training and teachings from our primary caregivers in the first instance, i.e. parents and family, then teachers, and along the way we develop what we consider core values based on these teachings as well as through observing people whom we consider role models. Unfortunately, when one looks back at the lessons taught, moreso those at the intuitive level, they fall short of helping many of us to realise our desires.
For example, ask anyone what they most wish for and the majority would probably answer “money”. Yet these same people agree with the belief that rich people are less likely to get into Heaven; that money is the root of all evil; or that you will never succeed in life without an extensive education – all ideas fed to you from an early age, which have no basis in fact. Furthermore, many persons take advice from and follow behaviours of friends and family who are not wealthy. In fact, many frequently deride the rich, and express contempt for their success in the face of their own failures.
What becomes clear then is that a person who desires money very often exists in a state of conflict. On the one hand, they have a wish for it, but on the other hand, they also believe that money is bad or brings evil. Therefore, they need to resolve this inner conflict and get aligned with what they ultimately want.
Other lessons learned
Other lessons individuals are often taught from young are that they should be seen and not heard; should not be self-absorbed or too assertive; and that kindness, generosity, putting others first and charity are to be praised. Now while the latter attributes are indeed commendable, they also help to shape submissive personalities and create a society where some step on the heads of others to reach their goals and the meek suffer instead of prospering.
For the sake of this country’s future, more emphasis must be placed on fostering greater confidence in our youth and teaching them that generosity and charity are good, but so is saving and investing; kindness is great, but do not suffer fools gladly; and it is wise to be quiet and listen, but do not stay silent if your will is to be heard.
These are a few examples of how people need to reprogramme themselves if they wish a change in their lives. There may be other areas where your core beliefs are at odds with what you really want for yourself and the first step to creating a new you is to self-reflect on what is truly important in your life, identify and write down what you want, actively reaffirm your true intent and constantly give that goal positive reinforcement. By doing this and teaching others around you to do the same, each person can have personal success.