Building on Familiarity
Personal Growth
Excellence is the summit of personal growth. Anyone who aspires to reach its peak must be daring enough to master their strongest instincts and conquer their darkest shadows. As such, the journey to the top of this mountain is indeed a difficult one, filled with many challenges and countless paths that can easily lead one astray.
It doesn't really matter how fast you're going if you're heading in the wrong direction.
Stephen R. Covey
The climb to excellence may demand effort; but effort alone is never enough. Even if you gave it your all, you will not go far without the right direction. Unless you focus your efforts on the relevant areas in life, any attempt to improve would either be insignificant or temporary.
Few things are as disheartening as investing a considerable amount of time and effort, only to discover later on that you were heading in the wrong direction all along. To prevent this, a mental map would help you develop a deeper understanding of your personality so that you can chart your journey in the right direction. Not only does this save you time, but it also accelerates your growth by a hundredfold.
True success can only be attained by finding equilibrium within: a perfect balance between both our strengths and weaknesses. However, because of our innate tendencies, many of us will gravitate towards our strengths to avoid confronting our weaknesses. Unfortunately, those who live life on autopilot will never amount to much, for the path of success only reveals itself to those who are willing to understand and harness the power of their shadows.
While we trust that you will ultimately forge a distinct path that aligns perfectly with your life's journey, we believe that a starting point will help you tremendously. Therefore, we have provided ten essential paths to guide you in the right direction as you embark on your journey of continuous growth.
To Guardians, helping others is the top priority. Thus, they often place the needs of others above their own, neglecting their personal growth in the process. By doing so, they put off the need to explore their inner world, and the more they do, the more their problems pile up. In time, this heap of problems will become too heavy to bear, crushing Guardians in their tracks. As such, they must realize that they cannot truly help others, before first helping themselves.
Despite their busy schedules, Guardians should set aside some time every day for self-reflection. This allows them to explore any inner thoughts and feelings that they have ignored for a long time. Without acknowledging these problems, Guardians cannot resolve them and grow. Confronting one's imperfections is not a pleasant task. It may even be daunting for some. However, instead of spinning up excuses, Guardians should gather the courage to look deeply within.
Life is filled with an infinite number of choices. Although Guardians are capable of making choices independently, they often succumb to peer pressure. Insecure of their own choices, they may follow the crowd even if they don’t fully agree with the consensus. However, a decision is not automatically the best simply because everyone thinks so. It can only be the best if it sits right with Guardians themselves.
On top of that, meaningful decisions can only be made when Guardians agree wholeheartedly. Whenever conflicting feelings arise, Guardians should pay attention to them instead of pushing those feelings away. The concerns that they uncover might make sense or not, but either way, it is crucial to address those underlying emotions. Only by exploring their honest feelings, can Guardians truly make the best choices for themselves, free from any regrets.
Often, Guardians expect others to conform to what is right by the community. However, as they expand their horizons, they will realize that the world is much bigger than they thought. Different societies and cultures see the world in wildly different ways. What's considered right in one community, may be terribly wrong in another. In this incredibly diverse world, can Guardians really dictate what is truly right?
Again and again, Guardians should always remind themselves that everyone is uniquely different. Whenever they come face to face with differences, they should take off the hat of judgment and put on the hat of curiosity instead. After all, no culture is better than another; they are just different. By respecting everyone’s distinct individuality, Guardians can foster a more inclusive environment, which in turn translates into a stronger community.
Sometimes, Guardians will find themselves caught in a dilemma. While it makes logical sense to do one thing, their feelings may say otherwise. In situations like this, some Guardians might give in to their emotions simply because it feels right. However, experience shows that this approach often leads to disastrous outcomes. To avoid falling into either extreme, Guardians must strike a balance between logic and emotions, just like the harmony of yin and yang.
Thus, it is never a good idea to use feelings as a shortcut to decisions, as the resulting conclusions are bound to lack logical substance. While emotions can serve as a valuable starting point, Guardians should incorporate critical thinking in their decision-making process. After all, what feels right may not always make sense, and what makes sense may not always feel right. By paying equal attention to both aspects, Guardians will see a fuller picture and arrive at better conclusions.
Guardians wade in the ocean of emotions all their lives. However, when the waters get rough, many end up drowning in the depths of it. That's because feelings will often overwhelm Guardians when they take them too seriously. During such times, their minds get clouded and their judgment gets skewed. But the truth is that Guardians have the capacity to become the masters of their emotions, rather than suffer as their slaves; it is only a matter of choice.
To be in control of their emotions, Guardians should learn to perceive their problems objectively. When they slow down to see an issue for what it really is, they may find that major catastrophes are often just minor problems or criticisms. Upon realizing this, Guardians can choose to strip away the power from their negative emotions. Only those who can break free from the illusions of their mind can ultimately free themselves from the grip of their emotions.
Life is chaotic in the eyes of Guardians. Often, they want to be in control, but no amount of planning will ever suffice. Unfortunately, the unexpected twists of life will always leave them feeling like the sky is falling. However, changes do not equate to disaster. If Guardians learn to go with the flow, even the worst of tragedies can be turned into a wealth of opportunities.
Therefore, true control can only be attained when Guardians shake off the illusion of control. The truth of life is that no one has complete power over everything. Rather than worrying about the things they cannot control, they should focus on the ones they can. Guardians should also welcome the unexpected by allowing for improvisation in their plans. Eventually, they will realize that letting go of their tight grip actually grants them more control over the chaos in their life.
A comfort zone is a haven to be in. Within it, the risks are calculated, but beyond it, lies everything unknown. It may seem terrifying to step out of it, to the point where Guardians are willing to sacrifice their own growth in exchange for security. Rather than breaking out, they can simply expand their comfort zones instead. And if Guardians continually face their fears and expose themselves to the unknown, their comfort zones will eventually be boundless.
To stretch out their comfort zones, Guardians must push themselves to delve into things that are foreign to them. Learning to be comfortable with the unfamiliar is vital for their growth. They can start by trying something new every day or exploring areas of life where they were previously afraid to venture. As they broaden their horizons, Guardians will become more confident with the unknown, and what was once terrifying will become just another part of their daily life.
Think out of the box, and Guardians will find that imagination knows no limits. Mental boundaries only exist because Guardians ground their thoughts too deeply in reality. No ideas should be considered far-fetched, because imagination is all about seeing the impossible. By letting their imagination run free, Guardians unleash the potential of existing ideas, bringing innovation into their lives.
Besides, realism often limits the creative mind. Instead of dismissing unrealistic ideas as ridiculous or absurd, Guardians should open up their minds to the seemingly impossible. Wild ideas should not be feared because they often serve as a launchpad for better ones to take off. Therefore, Guardians who are willing to break free from the chains of reality are only one step away from unlocking a new world, filled with profound insights and unexplored possibilities.
The search for knowledge stops when Guardians think that they know enough. They fixate on one or two perspectives, and brush away any other views that differ from theirs. However, everything that Guardians know is often only a fraction of the truth, and a closed mind only provides a flawed perspective. If Guardians do not seek to learn, they will forever be constrained by their limited knowledge.
The secret to unlimited wisdom is simple: Guardians merely have to adopt the mindset of a student, with an insatiable thirst for knowledge from any and all sources. From the wisest guru down to the most inexperienced child, Guardians can always learn something from everyone. Unfortunately, they tend to listen with only half an ear as they wait for their turn to speak. However, a wealth of invaluable knowledge only awaits Guardians if they genuinely want to learn.
Most problems faced by Guardians revolve around people. Any form of judgement is often taken deeply to heart. However, the truth is that a person’s words and actions are merely a reflection of their character. Nasty words say a lot more about the person who said it, rather than the one on the receiving end. By breaking free from the chains of human egos, Guardians will eventually find lasting peace and happiness amidst a world filled with drama.
Oftentimes, those who strive to make an impact in the world are the ones who receive the most criticism. This is especially true for famous figures who tend to attract harsh remarks, particularly from those who are insecure. That said, no matter how painful these comments may be, words are ultimately just words. They only hurt when taken negatively. However, this does not mean that Guardians should block out all criticisms. Instead, they should uncover the hidden lessons within them and use them as an inspiration for growth.
And with that, it is now time to embark on a new chapter of your life! Nevertheless, we would like to remind you that even though the ten points outlined above may seem easy and straightforward, mastering them is still a challenging task. One must remember that the pursuit of excellence draws upon the power of tiny gains, where small changes over time lead to massive transformation.
So instead of making dramatic improvements, one should take it a step at a time, climbing just 1% higher every single day. Think of your journey as a marathon rather than a sprint; it takes plenty of courage, patience, and tenacity to keep going until the end. And before long, you will eventually find yourself at the peak, awestruck by the magnificent view and ready to go beyond excellence!
The road to success is often paved with countless large obstacles. Overcoming them may not be easy, but it'll definitely be worth it. Truth be told, the only real barriers are the ones we create in our minds. By cultivating a growth mindset, every obstacle can eventually be transformed into opportunities for growth. As you embark on this arduous journey, here are a few final pointers to keep in mind.
No two are alike. Unfortunately, what comes naturally to others may not be as easy for you. Seeing others thrive in areas we find so hard to develop often leaves us feeling utterly defeated. However, comparing yourself to others is like measuring your progress using someone else’s ruler; it only sets you up for failure. Focus instead on your own path, for your only competition is who you were yesterday.
It is what it is. Some have smooth sailing childhoods while others might have theirs filled with trauma. Everyone is met with wildly different circumstances in life, and like it or not, it has a lot to do with luck. Although life may seem extremely unfair sometimes, we only suffer because we expect life to play by our rules. However, we should always keep in mind that it is not our circumstances that matter, but what we do with them that ultimately determines who we are.
A speck of dust. Everyone has problems, and although some of them may be huge, most others are often amplified by our imagination. The next time your problems seem too overbearing, just remember that we are merely a tiny speck of dust in this vast and infinite universe, what more our problems? Sometimes, it helps to take a step back to view things from a larger perspective. It may not solve the problem, but it might help ease the pain.
Until you make the unconscious conscious,
it will direct your life and you will call it fate.
Carl Gustav Jung
Life is like a game of cards. No matter how unfair we think our hand is, we cannot change the core of our personality. Life is not determined by the cards you were dealt with; it is how you play that matters. Even a great hand can be wasted if the player does not make the most out of it. So now with these cards in your hands, how would you play them to win the game of life?
As we wrap up our exploration of the SFLB Guardian archetype, we'd like to emphasize that this isn't the end, but rather a new beginning in your journey towards a happier, more fulfilling life. We encourage you to seize this opportunity and embark on a path towards success as you embrace your shadows and thrive within darkness!
Along with the wealth of knowledge we've provided in the past six sections, we'd like to offer a curated list of relevant resources in the form of books, articles, and links that can further support you on your journey. Do check out these useful resources in the next section.
Read next section →
Useful Resources [Guardian]