In the ancient Greek precinct of Delphi there stood the Temple of Apollo. Inscribed in the temple are the Delphic Maxims, the first of which says “Know Thyself”. This phrase was expounded upon by Socrates through the writings of Plato in his Socratic dialogues.
This simple phrase about knowing yourself has taken many meanings throughout history, but there are two that seem beneficial for the “man in the arena.”
- Knowing your particular skill-set
- Knowing your foundational identity
First, your particular skill set.
What makes you unique in your given field? What do you bring to the table that is different than everyone else? What outlier ability do you have? Pinpointing and cultivating your particular skill is important in setting yourself apart from the pack that seeks to suck you in and keep you subscribed to the status quo. Humans live with a general tug toward the crowd. This is called the power of the peloton, experienced by bikers who try to separate themselves from the pack but are unwillingly sucked back in
What you do differently than everyone else is your strength, lean in to it.
Secondly, your foundational identity. This type of “knowing thyself” is the hardest to accomplish, and people spend a lifetime trying. People struggle to sit in a quiet room with no distractions and their own thoughts, because they are uncomfortable and unfamiliar with themselves.
This has very little to do with who you are inside the lines and everything to do with who you are outside of them. If your foundational identity can be swayed by how you perform inside the lines you are like the man who builds his house upon the sand. When results aren’t what you expect them to be you take that as a direct assault to who you are as a person. Your results become your identity, they build your foundation.
What happens inside the lines should never reach the foundation of who you are. You are not what you do, you are much more than that.
Knowing the particular skill-set that makes you special inside the lines or inside your business is important. Recognize and cultivate it until you can wash, rinse and repeat it’s execution.
Knowing who you are (or most accurately, whose you are) on a foundational level is of utmost importance. All peace and contentment, regardless of results, depends on it.
The unexamined life is not worth living.
Socrates
Braden Bristo’s - The Journeyman’s Path 