The evolving process and outcome of self-realization May 13, 2014
Posted by Dennis Mellersh in Concept of personal development, Self-Esteem.Tags: Eric Hoffer, goal setting, personal development, personal growth, philosophy, self-actualization, self-esteem, self-improvement, self-realization
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Although self-realization in some form will probably occur as a result of seriously working on a program of self- improvement, it is not really a tangible, concrete goal we can set for ourselves.
This is because self-realization, or self-actualization is by its nature evolutionary; it is a process and a journey, a hoped for ultimate destination in our personal growth efforts.
It’s difficult to make realizing the potential of the self within us a specific goal with a target-date in our planning, as is it is embedded in the ongoing, overall process of personal growth and development.
The “doing” of personal growth is thus the “becoming” of self-actualization, or self-realization.
Eric Hoffer has an interesting view of this process.
Hoffer comments, “We acquire a sense of worth either by realizing our talents, or by keeping busy, or by identifying ourselves with something apart from us – be it a cause, a leader, a group, possessions and the like. Of the three, the path of self-realization is the most difficult.”
Similarly, self-esteem, which is a subset of self-actualization or realization, is a never-ending process in Hoffer’s view, in which the individual on their own is only stable as long as they are possessed of self-esteem; and the maintenance of self-esteem is a continuous task which taxes all of the individual’s powers and inner resources. The individual has to prove their worth and justify their existence every day.
But all of this effort it is worth it, Hoffer asserts.
And it can go much beyond the accomplishment of realizing the potential of the self.
The end result of self-realization can be outstanding achievement in Hoffer’s opinion: “The autonomous individual, striving to realize themselves and prove their worth, has created all that is great in literature, art, music, science and technology.” (1)
(1) Eric Hoffer, The Passionate State of Mind, Harper & Row, Publishers, New York, 1968
Setting realistic expectations for personal growth May 12, 2014
Posted by Dennis Mellersh in Concept of personal growth, Goal Setting and Realization.Tags: achieving goals, goal setting, goal visualization, personal development, personal development potential, personal growth, personal growth program, philosophy, self-esteem
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One of the troubling and irritating tendencies we see with some personal growth writers and self-improvement philosophers is the idea that the only restrictions on our personal development potential are the limits that we impose on ourselves.
This theory is fine as long as it is meant to encourage us to set ambitious goals, to seek ideals, to do everything in our power to maximize our improvement efforts.
But the idea that there are absolutely no limits is flawed.
To tell people that anything is possible as long we set our hearts on it, work hard, and have faith, is to essentially be promoting an alternate universe of non-reality.
If taken to heart the “no limits” theory could damage our self-esteem and jeopardize our entire personal growth program.
We can have strong self-esteem and confidence in our ability to overcome obstacles, but if our goals are not realistic we are opening ourselves up to discouragement and eventual failure with our program.
Realistic goals + hard work = success and encouragement to do more
Unrealistic goals + hard work = failure and discouragement of further effort
The take-away
It’s not always that something is absolutely impossible.
It’s just that it might not be possible for us in our particular circumstances.
To be able to recognize the difference is an important part of progress in our personal growth efforts.
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