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2021, week 16

Good morning folks!

Not a lot of reading last week but still, I have 2 highlights to share with you. The first one is about the illusion of self-reliance. It feels good to read someone putting words on this topic. And the second one is about change and your best enemy: yourself. We don't accept it easily but we are the only one in control. What's often missing is a little a bit of knowledge to build up your confidence.

1. Interdependence

« Our modern lives just make our interdependence very abstract. When hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes sweep away illusions of self-sufficiency, we are reminded how much we need one another. » In his newsletter editorial, Kai reminds us how easy it is to think self-reliance is conceivable and why it makes our world more individualist every single day. Life is a collective journey and we are far from being realistically 100% self-reliant. There will always be a time when you’ll have to get out of your bubble in order to fix a problem. Whenever you need support and help in your life or whatever you need to learn and unlock, remember that you will be counting on the kindness, willingness or generosity of someone else to do so.

2. Interviewing yourself

I find it increasingly rare to stumble upon a content about personal development that is not meaningless, superficial or overly marketed. Coaches proliferate on the web — and that’s a good thing — but in the end, you are the only one who can do the job for yourself. It’s you vs. you. A good coach is someone that empowers you, not someone that makes you more dependent. A good coach is a guide that helps you to clear things up and that gives you the keys to unlock your mind before releasing you into the wild. But my point is, if you feel the need to see a coach or recognize there is a gap between your life and the ideal, it means that you already have the necessary willingness to do the job by yourself. You are up for a change. But, what about being able to change? « Being able refers to having confidence in your ability to change, and being in possession of the necessary knowledge and skills to make the change. » In an article from Psyche Magazine, Angela Wood and Ralph Wood explain how to use « motivational interviewing » techniques by your own. They go through the different steps of the process by detailing actionable exercices and share tips on how to build up your skills and confidence in order to change. But don’t forget to be kind to yourself, nobody is 100% anytime. There are always ups and downs. The most important is your ability to get back to it.

Enjoy this issue and see you next week. Take care!