How to Manage Yourself

The importance of self-awareness in today’s complex world

I have been rereading some classics of ancient philosophy of Stoicism and I am reminded again of the importance of self-awareness. A quote by Socrates instructs one to “know thyself” and the ancient philosopher’s words echo today with more truth than one can ever imagine.

Everything we do in today’s bustling economy is influenced by what we see. Regardless of what you may think or feel, your daily actions, habits, expectations, and goals are affected by things we see: mainstream media, advertisements, and social media. There are subtle messages in today’s content and it is meant to hijack our free will. Without due diligence, we could easily be swayed in any direction, convinced of any opinion, and fall for any grand scheme.

“If you don’t stand for anything, you’ll fall for everything.” — Alexander Hamilton (attrib.)

We have reached a peak of massive cultural influence that is almost beyond our control.

The first step to regaining some of our personal power is to realize that it is happening. To know thyself, as Plato quipped, and then to know of the other things, the external things.

I will admit wholeheartedly, that this is no easy task.

Peter Drucker, in his classic on self-management, posed several key questions that can help one reach this critical point of intervention.

What are my strengths?

How do I perform?

How do I learn?

What are my values?

Where do I belong?

Drucker was a management expert, and his point of view stemmed from success in the workplace. Yet, he asks, what are my values and where do I belong? Core values are what matter most to you. They should be the lens through which you view the world, make decisions, and otherwise from value judgments.

Knowing these five things about yourself will be crucial in building a foundation of success — at your current job or station in life and even when you make the bold attempt to move on to something else.

Ask yourself these questions and look deep within for an honest answer, one that will guide you to a better path. A more fulfilling and rewarding existence can be attained through a compilation of these answers. We are learning today that work and life are much more connected than we may have originally thought.

Instead of work-life balance, today we are asking how we can blend the two in something that is fulfilling and meaningful for us. We must be self-aware of what that is and then move forward as a single entity into the work we do, the life we live, and the future we have yet to create.

Lead Yourself First

Through the lens of a leader, one that Drucker often uses, lies the inherent success of a company, organization, or team. Napoleon was a great achiever because he understood this concept very well. He was not only a master of battle but also a master of emotion, knowing how to influence and inspire his French Army.

Drucker talks of past presidents that fell into an operational system that was established by their predecessors. Not for them, listeners, for example, flopped when they were given a daily memorandum of key events, notes, talking points, and insights. This tactic pales in comparison to a morning update brief that would have enabled the success of a person that learns best from listening.

Think: How do I perform?

Someone who does well with analysis may be a poor briefer and when attempting to brief, would appear to be a poor analyst. In knowing this, this analyst can construct a method for distributing information which would, in turn, ensure that their talents are recognized. Through this process, a person can gain respect, influence, and even affluence.

“Know Thyself.” — Socrates

Winning the Internal Battle

When you learn how to manage yourself, you will see the flaws that have thus far enabled the state of your life.

As humans, we are programmed to default to the easiest, most enjoyable way to live. We exist for pleasure and comfort, if not guarded against, our habits will default to the lowest common denominator aka the easiest way possible.

This is why you hear of poor kids rising to become rich, while the kids of the rich grow to become spoiled babies that lack the resilience and internal drive to succeed.

Even the grandchildren of Genghis Khan, who lived in such dire times, could not see past this human flaw as they sliced into shreds the empire built by one of the greatest fighting generals the world has ever seen. Khan himself was just a poor kid struggling to survive on the Eurasian Steppe, known by many as the most hellish place on earth.

What made Genghis Khan different was that he possessed self-awareness and the unique ability to see what isn’t there — most great leaders do.

He knew how to motivate his Army to charge against impenetrable Chinese walls. He enslaved societies by using their values against them. He was victorious because he knew how to leverage his talents and the talents of those around him.

We can assume now after several hundred years that at some point Genghis Khan realized that he did some things well and other things were done best by someone else on his team. He must have, at some point, pondered the best way to go about winning battles, many of them against the most advanced military force of the time.

Note: Genghis Khan is one of the most influential figures in history. His ability to adapt and learn is perhaps unmatched by any other general. I recommend listening to the Wrath of the Khan Series by Dan Carlin or reading Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford.

He must have realized that his Army was relentlessly ruthless, terrifying, and able to endure the hardships of battle better than any other force that he encountered. He must have then formulated a strategy based on his strengths and then leveraged them against the values of his people and disseminated that information in a way that would motivate and inspire them to action.

Genghis Khan understood himself. He knew his people, his enemy, and how to capitalize on his strengths. He was a true genius of human emotion, which gave him an edge in his industry of warfare.

He evolved until he became a force that was without limits, one that nearly conquered all of Western civilization. He was only able to see outside of himself by first conquering his internal state. He rose to greatness by first knowing himself.

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