When you are not prepared, it becomes easy to get caught up in various circumstances in life. These could be personal, professional, relationships, or economic loss. Fortunately, you can decide to be self-dependent and ready for such instances.
Whether emotionally, financially, or physically, most people long to be self-reliant to avoid needing help from others. Unfortunately, it is not easy to reach such a level of completeness. You are bound to fail many times before you become self-sufficient. Like other qualities and principles of life, self-reliance is something you can learn. In this post, we explore the art of being self-reliant and how you can cultivate it.
What is Self-Reliance?
There is no single definition that captures self-reliance perfectly. But in a nutshell, it is the ability to count on your own efforts and decisions in life.
The truth is that society influences how we think, do things, and ultimately lead our lives. To some extent, this prevents us from making our own decisions. When you conform to societal norms, you tend to doubt your instincts.
Self-reliance revolves around embracing individuality, thinking independently, and following your own path unapologetically.
How to Develop Self-Reliance
Self-sufficiency is a trait that you can learn. Once you master it, you can make decisions and solve problems by yourself. It is the gateway to a more independent and happier life. Here are several straightforward tips to enable you to achieve self-reliance.
1. Learn to Be Yourself
You know yourself better than anyone else. Even though you end up doing what someone else wants instead of what you want, you can always change that. However, you’ll need to start embracing your values and character.
Think about what you have achieved in your life so far. Reflect on the poor decisions that you have made in the past. Try to grow from that and gravitate towards what you believe in, regardless of what others recommend. Learn to trust your instincts and perception.
Accept yourself for who you are and stop questioning your character. Do not worry about conformity. Instead, focus on yourself rather than what everybody else is doing.
2. Practice Making Your Own Judgment
Trusting your judgment is another important aspect of self-reliance. In the beginning, you may not always make the right call, but do not give up. Practice making your own judgment until you start getting it right. Over time, you will develop the confidence to count on discernment.
Always speak up your thoughts, since those who do not trust their thoughts tend to gravitate towards those who are brave enough to break their silence. When you give your opinion on any matter, others who share similar sentiments but cannot express them will support you.
3. Stick to Your Values
Sticking to your values is invaluable. More often than not, people abandon what they believe in to follow others. While it is good to emulate good values from others, sometimes it is better to stick to your own values.
For example, if you believe in fairness, do not deviate from it, even if your peers or colleagues choose a different path. Your attempt to become self-reliant may sometimes call for you to pick the less popular path.
Remember that being self-reliant does not mean that you cannot trust or work with others. It means that you need to trust and count on yourself whenever the need arises. Apart from that, it bestows the responsibility to prepare for what life has in store for you.
The journey to self-sufficiency requires you to be more confident in yourself. It entails making mistakes and learning from them. If you consistently follow the above tips, you will soon start realizing your dream of being self-reliant.
