I am not a competitive person. Most of the things I do, I do because I enjoy it. Or they serve a more critical purpose in the long term.
When I play a competitive game with my friends, like cricket or a video game, they want to compete. They want to win.
When they lead, they feel like I am not putting enough effort. I should try harder. But whenever I win, my friends feel like I am somehow cheating. Or I was just lucky.
I may be bad at sports, but this shows how easily people change their bias according to what fits them.
If they are successful, happy and winning, they feel they deserve it.
If they fail, they believe that it's their bad luck.
Most Things You Believe In— Are Biased!
For example, if you had difficulty solving math problems when you were a kid, you will believe that math is hard. You form a bias that math is hard for most people because you don't want to feel dumb.
On the other hand, people who can easily grasp math concepts; assume that math is easy for everyone. They form a bias that people who don't understand maths are somewhat dumb.
Another example is art and music. Many geeks don't understand art. They are more inclined toward things that have logic and patterns behind them.
But if you are one of the creative ones, then music, art, and paintings are life's meaning. Take them away, and the world becomes dull.
These are just a few examples of how you view the world through the bias you have developed throughout your life.
Your Environment Shapes Your Beliefs
Some people have high self-esteem based on the amount of money they have. Take away their money, and they have nothing left.
Others measure it based on their social reputation. They cannot bear a public failure.
People don't randomly form these beliefs. And value them so much.
You form these beliefs throughout your life. Slowly, you ingrain them in your core.
Your environment, the groups you are part of, and the social life of people around you will develop these beliefs.
Jim Rohn said that you are the average of five people around you.
So, if you are an introvert, you will find the company of introverts more attractive. Because lacking social skills will be acceptable behaviour in that group. You won't feel bad for ignoring phone calls and avoiding parties.
The problem starts when your environment slowly destroys you—for example, drug addicts. Taking drugs will become normal behaviour. Everyone does it.
And it slowly kills you.
Another example is when you belong to a low-income group. It is difficult to build confidence when everything around you is in chaos.
You pick up negative habits and limiting beliefs more quickly from your group than positive ones. Positive attitudes fade away, but negative ones stay with you for longer.
The Ability Hurdle And The Path Of Progress
If you develop low self-esteem because of your environment, most things in life become challenging for you.
Low self-esteem hinders your goals and your life values.
When I started writing, I had substantial doubts about my writing ability. The voice of my articles was full of doubt and lacked clarity and direction. It reflected on my writing.
But with each repetition, I improved a little.
People don't do essential things in their life because they feel incapable. They think they don't have abilities.
Ability does not matter because most people learn to do things.
Will is more important than abilities. It creates the desire to perform. It builds self-esteem.
When you have high self-esteem, others' opinions do not diminish your confidence. It doesn't matter how many people feel you are foolish, a failure, or a dumb person. You will develop immunity to hostile criticism. You will stay on track.
Action Leads To Results
The ability to perform a task comes from performing that task. Not from thinking about it.
You learn to drive a car by driving it. Not by watching others drive. You won't understand the mechanics of the vehicle by observing people.
Similarly, you become a writer by practising writing. Not by reading others' posts on how to write.
You make money by investing a small amount and then compounding it. Not by listening to financial youtube videos.
In simple words, you understand things when you do them yourself.
The path of progress is not easy. It's filled with failures and rejection.
What makes human beings superior is their ability to think and evolve.
You can think, take calculated risks, improve and evolve.
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