5 Tips on Loving and Believing in Yourself

Quote of the day: 

Unfortunately, it is human nature for us to only learn and grow from a place of emptiness. It's hard to learn when we are winning and on top of the world. -Yehuda Berg 

The idea behind this post came about after after I read the story of Darren Jones, a 30-year-old consumer rights lawyer who worked for a telecoms firm in London. To cut a long story short, according to Buzzfeed, his employer gave him time off from work to concentrate on his election campaign for the constituency of Bristol North West, where  he was also a candidate in 2015. The story gets more interesting. His employer agreed to give him time off during the campaign -on the understanding that he HAD no chance of actually being elected as an MP (Member of Parliament). Not only that, after the election he was expected to return to work immediately and work on strategic projects. Jones told his bosses why he was doing it -because it was important to him. Also that there was no hope of winning. In fact during the election weekend, he and his wife were all packed and were going to move from Bristol to a new house in St. Albans, from where he would commute to London to continue with his job.

He expected to lose. His bosses expected him to lose and return to work. Many expected him to lose.

Jones won the election on the back of his Labour party, caused an upset on election night in the Bristol area, defeating the Conservative incumbent, and became an MP overnight.

One can only imagine the awkward conversation between him and his bosses after the win. Lawyer turned politician. Underdog turned overdog. Darren Jones turned MP Darren Jones.

Everybody loves the story of an underdog -maybe because it resonates deeply. There is the Biblical adaptation of a young and little David, taking on a warrior named Goliath. In sports, a barely known Leicester City Football Club going ahead to win the domestic league for the first time in 132 years. In business, the story of Apple encroaching into niche markets where no one thought they had any chance. In science, Albert Einsten, who at 16 years old was told off by a teacher who stated that he would never amount to anything in life. These type of stories are endless. The point is, the world is filled with underdogs -including you and I. And not one or a thousand voices can silence a star whose time has come.


Alas, what lessons can we take away from this incredible story of Darren Jones?


1. Have a Purpose

The world has a way of aligning with a person filled with a purpose. Jones had a purpose -even though he had no idea it would be fulfilled sooner than later. That was his drive, his clarity, and goal which he put into action.


2. Do What Is Important to You

Once Jones understood his purpose, the importance of it became a part of him. He wasn't afraid to ask for help in order to fulfill his purpose. As is mostly the case, people will back you up when your purpose is clear to them. So do what you feel is important to you in life. What is important to you, and how do you go about letting everyone around you key into that?. Truth is not everyone will support whatever it is you believe in, but they sure will respect you for taking the risk, being firm, and best of all, fearless.


3.  Always be the Underdog

Nobody wants to be the underdog, weak, and open to defeat. But sometimes it does pay to be the underdog. To lose and not lose sleep over it. Underdogs understand that winning can be elusive, but that's okay because they learn and grow along with the journey. And they realize that to get to the end, they would need all the support they can get.


4. Have a Backup Plan

If things do not work out, it does not herald the end of the world. Life will go on. Seasons will change. And the sun will forever rise and fall. So understand that a backup plan is your way of blending back into life, bruised a little bit, but still standing to fight another day. Do not allow your purpose to overshadow every other aspect of your life. Work to align or connect each dot so as to live a stress free life.


5. Never Give Up

This is easier said than done, even I realize that. But looking at things from a different perspective, giving up closes a chapter in your book. Not giving up, creates new chapters and stories. New ideas and relationships, new insight and understanding. Do what you love and watch success embrace your every effort.

So love and believe in yourself, you...underdog you.

Peace. Love. Light* 



Current Listen: Andreas Scholl: Largo di Handel