When we think about doing the right thing, being good, making the right choice…
We often think about this ‘good’ in terms of who’s watching, missing the most important person watching, and that’s us.
Naval Ravikant recently had a great tweet:
“Don’t do things that you know are morally wrong. Not because someone is watching, but because you are. Self-esteem is just the reputation that you have with yourself. You’ll always know.”
The reputation we have with ourselves is the most important relationship in our lives.
How you view yourself is based on evidence.
Our actions are important, there’s nothing you can hide from yourself.
Doing the right things, good deeds, the work when you don’t feel like working, affirm your reputation in YOUR eyes…
Which gives you confidence.
When you’re proud of who you are because you consistently do the right thing…
…You get the confidence that helps you face fears, aim at higher goals, make more money, do better with women, and overall just live a much better life than you would with a lack of confidence.
The myth about confidence, however, is that it’s gained through financial success or changing your internal talk.
It’s not, in either case.
Confidence is how you see yourself.
When you constantly make the right choice you begin to respect yourself more, which leads others to respect you as well.
‘Goodness’ is something we’re taught is about helping others, but it’s really about helping ourselves.
How can you be at your best if you’re ashamed of who you are?
Think about that…
Doing something that you feel is morally wrong – even if you don’t really want to feel that way about it – brings shame, whether you’re aware of it or not.
You can’t have confidence and shame.
So, don’t betray YOURSELF.
Humans accomplish great things incrementally by making small, seemingly insignificant correct decisions over a ‘long’ period of time.
It’s… always working out when you’d rather not.
…Reading instead of watching TV.
…Working when you really don’t feel like it and even when you don’t have to.
When that choice comes, understand the scope of the impact this tiny decision can have on you, your psyche, and your life.
…And then do the right thing, make the right decision…
It simplifies life. There is a good life and a bad life, and it’s created in this very moment, and the next, when you’re faced with these tiny decisions.
What’s best is that making the right decision is no more difficult than making the wrong decision.
Get after it.
Be Legendary,
Chad Howse