Want To Self-Hack?

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By now, you’ve probably heard these two words, “self hack” being used in today’s lexicon. We are living in exciting times where people are seeking efficient ways and means to understand self, mind, body and spirituality, etc. In all simplicity, self-hacking is synonymous to self-improvement.

The concept of Self Hacking has been a fascination of mine for a while now. The idea that most people go through life like I did without ever challenging their beliefs, their values and the status quo is unthinkable to me today. Nevertheless, I admit; I too went through life like a living dead for years, till 7 or so years ago when I found myself in a state of funk and couldn’t seem to snap out of it. So, what is self-hack and how can you engage in this practice to better yourself?

While I was in that state of funk, nothing worked; life was meaningless, no joy, no zeal and no progress. I had lost my passion for living even though by considerable standards some tell me that I am a very personate individual.   In fact, no matter what I tried it felt like I was a living dead just going through life’s mundane and motions aimlessly. I had resigned to life of paying bills, clocking hours at work, frustrated and quite frankly stressed. Though I didn’t know what to do or how to snap out this state, I felt as if I would explode inside because deep within I knew ever since I was 8 years old, I loved to challenge the status quo and explore the unknown.

Like most kids, I was fearless and fierce in my curiosity. Though some considered me a nag, but all I recall is that I would insist on a matter until my curiosity was satisfied. Till of course the day that I asked my grandmother why on a question deemed taboo.  To my surprise I was scolded instead of being fed the answer.  Since, I learned to observe my environment asking why(s) and filing away my discovery answers in my head.  It is not until this juncture while in a state of stupor that I realized that although I loved asking why, I had never really challenged my own beliefs and values in a similar manner.

Awakening to the unknown comes with lots of pain, and it’s the prize you must pay if you wish to discover what could be possible.  For me, I uncovered a lot of emotions suppressed since my inflection moment as an 8 year old.  However, it is here that I discovered a thread that has since informed me on many realms and has now become a blue print that I share with my clients in my coaching program.  Whenever I share this information, many of my clients are awed and invariably express that while the material seem simple to grasp it is hard to act upon.  Evident in that notion that change, really and good change is hard to implement.  Particularly if you want to integrate the change in all aspect of you life.  It can be overwhelming and dense to breakdown. However with proper guidance from an experienced facilitator, one who you connect with and trust, you can be well on your way to a great living if you are wiling to do the hard work.

In case you are faced with a similar dilemma, here are some tips on how to get started. Note however, what works for one may not work for another. The key is to be open to explorations. My point here is to encourage you to get started now even though you may feel inadequate.

1. Curiosity: Maintain a heart of curiosity like that of a child. Just like kids never stop asking why—you will need to embrace this thinking if you are to ever discover what makes you tick or your “it factor”.
2. Get out of your comfort zone: If you have ever been stuck, you know very well that to getting yourself out of that state of mind, you must be willing to try something new. This approach allows your mind to be elastic, and open to new possibilities. However, for those possibilities to work or not work, you must be wiling to test them out by taking one action after the next. A very daunting thing especially when your insecurities are most acute and often seek to confront your every move. Nevertheless, progress awaits if you can muster the courage to press on.
3. Authenticity: Authenticity is one of the vital requirements to your discovery and call. Meaning you must choose to be true to yourself and by this I mean: you must choose to own all that you are—your good, your bad, your ugly and your in between and stand behind it 110%.  Your feelings while aren’t to be trusted always—here you must be willing to get in touch with your emotional side, feeling every mood—and then choosing not to be attached in order to gain courage to embrace the truest, highest best version of you.

If you start with these three steps, you will find that a new well of joy and adventure will open up to you. Bringing a new level of aliveness, igniting passion deep within you that you may not have been aware of, but most of all, this discovery process will lead you on to a new trajectory of meaning and fulfillment if you are wiling to trust the path that shines forth before your eyes.

Carolyne, helps professionals just like you do meaningful work that yields fulfillment, and make the world a better place for all. She is eager to meet with you, hear from you and read your comments. Share them below, thank you.