Our lives are difficult, challenging and are full of obstacles. Some of these obstacles will be external, such as a pandemic or political changes, but many obstacles are internal. The pressure we get from ourselves is often unsurmountable to those we receive from external sources. Further than this, internal struggles are impossible to cover up with money or external changes. Instead, these internal struggles require you to work on yourself, a process many leaders try to avoid.
If we look at John Doloron who built a successful business, but when he fell on bad times he made bad decisions and landed up in jail. He lost his business, his family and his life all because of trying to buy his way out of his internal struggles, rather than working on himself and his character.
So, while many talk about the external pressures and how to handle them, lets tackle your internal struggles.
Here are three areas you need to look out for and manage:
Pay Attention to Your Ego
When we start achieving success, we often receive a lot of external praise. We can be told that we are the greatest or the best. Now while this admiration is good, you need to ensure you pay attention to your ego.
If you do not pay close attention to your ego, it can quickly become wrapped up in materialism, falseness, and self-idolization. This will not only slow your future growth, but it can easily destroy what you have worked so hard to build up. Pay attention to your ego and stay humble.
Work On Your Character
Your character is who you truly are, the essence of your being. While we may often focus on the great parts of our character that make us special, we need to look at our character flaws.
Character flaws are something that you cannot buy your way out of, even though many have tried and failed. Instead, you need to admit your character flaws and work on improving them. You will end up making yourself better.
Manage Your Inner Struggles
The first step to combating your inner struggles is to admit you have them. Be it anxiety, fear, or any other type of struggle you may be experiencing. Acknowledging takes away their power and stops you from avoiding and trying to cover them up. Instead, it allows you to grow and become a better leader.
How to Stay on Track?
While we may acknowledge our internal struggles, work on our character, and pay attention to our ego; we are only human after all. How do you stay on track and not let yourself get swayed by the world around you.
The first step is to build a support network. This need to be people who you can be completely honest with you and you with them. You need people to tell you when you are getting taken over by your ego in case you don’t see it. Identify these people and make them a part of your life.
The next step is to take the time to work on yourself and you psychology. Whether that means reading books like “The 4 stages of Psyco Safety in Business” or taking the time to work on your health. Make it a priority to avoid landing up like John Doloron.