Building on Insight
Personal Growth
Excellence is the summit of personal growth. Anyone who aspires to reach its peak must be daring enough to master their strongest instincts and conquer their darkest shadows. As such, the journey to the top of this mountain is indeed a difficult one, filled with many challenges and countless paths that can easily lead one astray.
It doesn't really matter how fast you're going if you're heading in the wrong direction.
Stephen R. Covey
The climb to excellence may demand effort; but effort alone is never enough. Even if you gave it your all, you will not go far without the right direction. Unless you focus your efforts on the relevant areas in life, any attempt to improve would either be insignificant or temporary.
Few things are as disheartening as investing a considerable amount of time and effort, only to discover later on that you were heading in the wrong direction all along. To prevent this, a mental map would help you develop a deeper understanding of your personality so that you can chart your journey in the right direction. Not only does this save you time, but it also accelerates your growth by a hundredfold.
True success can only be attained by finding equilibrium within: a perfect balance between both our strengths and weaknesses. However, because of our innate tendencies, many of us will gravitate towards our strengths to avoid confronting our weaknesses. Unfortunately, those who live life on autopilot will never amount to much, for the path of success only reveals itself to those who are willing to understand and harness the power of their shadows.
While we trust that you will ultimately forge a distinct path that aligns perfectly with your life's journey, we believe that a starting point will help you tremendously. Therefore, we have provided ten essential paths to guide you in the right direction as you embark on your journey of continuous growth.
Most Sages see themselves as the main character of their story. And in these stories, the people around them are rarely given much focus, if any is given at all. By and large, Sages have a tendency to talk about or do things solely for themselves. Hence, they often seem inconsiderate and self-absorbed: a major turn-off for most. If left unchecked, this behavior may drive people away, leaving Sages alone with only their thoughts for company.
But of course, none of that is intentional. Oftentimes, Sages are just unaware of how their actions are perceived by others. To overcome this, they can start by shifting some of their focus away from themselves and onto others. They should try to put people above themselves and seek ways to make things easier or better for those around them. By doing so, Sages will eventually find themselves in supportive relationships that bring deep fulfillment.
Sages place a lot of importance on self-improvement as they strive to unlock their highest potential. However, in their efforts to do so, they rarely seek out people's opinions on them. It may seem like a sign of arrogance, but in actuality, the thought of doing so just never crossed their minds. As such, they may only work on the flaws apparent to them, overlooking the ones hidden in their blindspot.
If Sages are truly desperate for growth, the best thing they can do is to seek feedback from others. Although it might seem terrifying to expose oneself to criticism, it will be an invaluable experience as there is no one better equipped to provide objective feedback than an outsider. More importantly, everyone sees things differently. By hearing people out, Sages can gain a multitude of opinions that can help illuminate many areas for them to improve in.
The pursuit of personal significance often leads Sages to prioritize their own interests at the expense of others. Instead of pursuing a win-win, they usually insist on their way, leaving a sense of divide in the room. This refusal to do right by the community stems from an excessive focus on themselves. They may not understand that life is a give-and-take, and that compromise is key to maintaining healthy relationships. If Sages continue to put themselves first, they risk coming off as selfish individuals.
To bridge the gap between themselves and the larger community, Sages have to realize that their selfishness will lead to bad outcomes that affect them as well. They will only become more understanding when they notice that they are invariably linked to others. Through this realization, Sages can empower themselves to be more accepting towards other people and be willing to do what's best for everyone, instead of going down the path of ignorance.
Sometimes, Sages will find themselves caught in a dilemma. While it makes logical sense to do one thing, their feelings may say otherwise. In situations like this, some Sages might give in to their emotions simply because it feels right. However, experience shows that this approach often leads to disastrous outcomes. To avoid falling into either extreme, Sages must strike a balance between logic and emotions, just like the harmony of yin and yang.
Thus, it is never a good idea to use feelings as a shortcut to decisions, as the resulting conclusions are bound to lack logical substance. While emotions can serve as a valuable starting point, Sages should incorporate critical thinking in their decision-making process. After all, what feels right may not always make sense, and what makes sense may not always feel right. By paying equal attention to both aspects, Sages will see a fuller picture and arrive at better conclusions.
Sages wade in the ocean of emotions all their lives. However, when the waters get rough, many end up drowning in the depths of it. That's because feelings will often overwhelm Sages when they take them too seriously. During such times, their minds get clouded and their judgment gets skewed. But the truth is that Sages have the capacity to become the masters of their emotions, rather than suffer as their slaves; it is only a matter of choice.
To be in control of their emotions, Sages should learn to perceive their problems objectively. When they slow down to see an issue for what it really is, they may find that major catastrophes are often just minor problems or criticisms. Upon realizing this, Sages can choose to strip away the power from their negative emotions. Only those who can break free from the illusions of their mind can ultimately free themselves from the grip of their emotions.
Life is chaotic in the eyes of Sages. Often, they want to be in control, but no amount of planning will ever suffice. Unfortunately, the unexpected twists of life will always leave them feeling like the sky is falling. However, changes do not equate to disaster. If Sages learn to go with the flow, even the worst of tragedies can be turned into a wealth of opportunities.
Therefore, true control can only be attained when Sages shake off the illusion of control. The truth of life is that no one has complete power over everything. Rather than worrying about the things they cannot control, they should focus on the ones they can. Sages should also welcome the unexpected by allowing for improvisation in their plans. Eventually, they will realize that letting go of their tight grip actually grants them more control over the chaos in their life.
A comfort zone is a haven to be in. Within it, the risks are calculated, but beyond it, lies everything unknown. It may seem terrifying to step out of it, to the point where Sages are willing to sacrifice their own growth in exchange for security. Rather than breaking out, they can simply expand their comfort zones instead. And if Sages continually face their fears and expose themselves to the unknown, their comfort zones will eventually be boundless.
To stretch out their comfort zones, Sages must push themselves to delve into things that are foreign to them. Learning to be comfortable with the unfamiliar is vital for their growth. They can start by trying something new every day or exploring areas of life where they were previously afraid to venture. As they broaden their horizons, Sages will become more confident with the unknown, and what was once terrifying will become just another part of their daily life.
Imagination has played a crucial role in human progress thus far. Without it, there may not be as many groundbreaking discoveries as there are today. However, it also presents a double-edged sword as Sages may sometimes envision ideas that are only feasible in the sandbox of their minds. Therefore, in their attempt to bring these ideas to life, they may sometimes find that their imaginations fall short in the face of practical limitations.
If Sages want to make the impossible possible, it’s crucial to remain grounded in reality. To do so, they should include a realistic filter when examining the world around them. And it might sound like a bummer, but not all ideas are immediately achievable. Some may require cutting-edge technology that has yet to exist, while others may be too wild to garner support. Whatever it is, Sages should always tailor their ideas to match what is realistically possible.
Most people would describe Sages as individuals living in their own world. Only concerned with themselves, they confine their social connections to a tiny circle of friends whom they relate to. They might lack the skills required to engage with various types of people. As such, some Sages may go about their whole lives losing out on the support of a larger community beyond their tiny clique.
Sages should come out of their shell more often despite fearing judgment from others. They should remember that no one is watching their every move, waiting for them to fail. In fact, most people are well-intentioned and share the same worry. Once Sages get over this fear, they will then understand and work better with different people, making them wiser and more compassionate.
Most problems faced by Sages revolve around people. Any form of judgement is often taken deeply to heart. However, the truth is that a person’s words and actions are merely a reflection of their character. Nasty words say a lot more about the person who said it, rather than the one on the receiving end. By breaking free from the chains of human egos, Sages will eventually find lasting peace and happiness amidst a world filled with drama.
Oftentimes, those who strive to make an impact in the world are the ones who receive the most criticism. This is especially true for famous figures who tend to attract harsh remarks, particularly from those who are insecure. That said, no matter how painful these comments may be, words are ultimately just words. They only hurt when taken negatively. However, this does not mean that Sages should block out all criticisms. Instead, they should uncover the hidden lessons within them and use them as an inspiration for growth.
And with that, it is now time to embark on a new chapter of your life! Nevertheless, we would like to remind you that even though the ten points outlined above may seem easy and straightforward, mastering them is still a challenging task. One must remember that the pursuit of excellence draws upon the power of tiny gains, where small changes over time lead to massive transformation.
So instead of making dramatic improvements, one should take it a step at a time, climbing just 1% higher every single day. Think of your journey as a marathon rather than a sprint; it takes plenty of courage, patience, and tenacity to keep going until the end. And before long, you will eventually find yourself at the peak, awestruck by the magnificent view and ready to go beyond excellence!
The road to success is often paved with countless large obstacles. Overcoming them may not be easy, but it'll definitely be worth it. Truth be told, the only real barriers are the ones we create in our minds. By cultivating a growth mindset, every obstacle can eventually be transformed into opportunities for growth. As you embark on this arduous journey, here are a few final pointers to keep in mind.
No two are alike. Unfortunately, what comes naturally to others may not be as easy for you. Seeing others thrive in areas we find so hard to develop often leaves us feeling utterly defeated. However, comparing yourself to others is like measuring your progress using someone else’s ruler; it only sets you up for failure. Focus instead on your own path, for your only competition is who you were yesterday.
It is what it is. Some have smooth sailing childhoods while others might have theirs filled with trauma. Everyone is met with wildly different circumstances in life, and like it or not, it has a lot to do with luck. Although life may seem extremely unfair sometimes, we only suffer because we expect life to play by our rules. However, we should always keep in mind that it is not our circumstances that matter, but what we do with them that ultimately determines who we are.
A speck of dust. Everyone has problems, and although some of them may be huge, most others are often amplified by our imagination. The next time your problems seem too overbearing, just remember that we are merely a tiny speck of dust in this vast and infinite universe, what more our problems? Sometimes, it helps to take a step back to view things from a larger perspective. It may not solve the problem, but it might help ease the pain.
Until you make the unconscious conscious,
it will direct your life and you will call it fate.
Carl Gustav Jung
Life is like a game of cards. No matter how unfair we think our hand is, we cannot change the core of our personality. Life is not determined by the cards you were dealt with; it is how you play that matters. Even a great hand can be wasted if the player does not make the most out of it. So now with these cards in your hands, how would you play them to win the game of life?
As we wrap up our exploration of the NFVB Sage archetype, we'd like to emphasize that this isn't the end, but rather a new beginning in your journey towards a happier, more fulfilling life. We encourage you to seize this opportunity and embark on a path towards success as you embrace your shadows and thrive within darkness!
Along with the wealth of knowledge we've provided in the past six sections, we'd like to offer a curated list of relevant resources in the form of books, articles, and links that can further support you on your journey. Do check out these useful resources in the next section.
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Useful Resources [Sage]