Introducing keywords for growth: “Weaknesses”, “Awareness” ,”Acceptance” ,”Potential”, “Ambition”, “Action” and “Growth”.
Without fear of misunderstanding, it can be asserted that the opportunity for growth arises when one’s weaknesses and shortcomings become clear.
When individuals acknowledge and accept their weaknesses, they can transform them into “potential.” Taking action based on the “ambition” to improve then leads to growth.
The relationship among the seven keywords can be summarized in two points:
- Weaknesses are Acknowledged, Accepted, and transformed into Potential.
- Potential, through Actions based on Ambition, leads to Growth.
To grow, it is essential to first acknowledge one’s weaknesses. However, this process is often accompanied by discomfort. Humans tend to reject information that is unfavorable to them. Confronting one’s weaknesses can be a significant source of discomfort. Therefore, people generally dislike tests. It would not be an exaggeration to say that those who confront their weaknesses can achieve substantial growth.
One technique for noticing things on your own is fixed-point observation. Click ‘here‘ to jump to another page within this site.
In a tricky turn of events, one’s weaknesses are often pointed out by others.
Whether through exam results, advice from friends, setbacks in a promotion race, or even through criticism with harsh words or clear disdain, unexpected situations and methods can lead to the recognition of one’s weaknesses.
Facing the pain of acknowledging weaknesses may reflexively generate negative emotions such as fear and anger, leading individuals to avert their gaze from the identified weaknesses.
Avoiding pain is a basic biological behavior, and in some cases, it cannot be helped. However, succumbing to fear and anger and turning away from one’s weaknesses means missing the opportunity for growth.
A wise figure from 17th-century Spain (click here refer to the page on Balthasar Gracian within this site) advocated the stance of “learning even from enemies.” It is acceptable to dislike enemies, but it is beneficial to learn from the insights they provide.
Disliking those who criticize is permissible, but it is a loss to unquestionably reject the content of the criticism. Understanding what is inconvenient for oneself and what is lacking from the perspective of others holds significance.
At such times, getting stuck in thoughts like “I don’t want to hear that from them” or “I don’t understand why I’m being scolded” leads to cognitive paralysis, and it is detrimental to oneself.
Avoiding the pain of acknowledging weaknesses means uncertain growth. First, it is crucial to acknowledge the identified weaknesses. Most of the time, the content is displeasing, but it must be acknowledged as such.
“Hmm, so others see me having such weaknesses,” for example.
After acknowledgment, the next step is acceptance. Acknowledging weaknesses alone is painful. It is not psychologically healthy. Therefore, acceptance is indispensable.
Accepting and embracing the “oneself with weaknesses as seen by others” is necessary. Without this, the acknowledgment of weaknesses can create emotional wounds.
According to my observations as Rikutsu-Kone-Taro, many people seem to stumble significantly in the processes of acknowledgment and acceptance.
Some individuals concoct strange justifications to avoid acknowledgment, calling it positive thinking, and they evade cognitive acknowledgment.
Others, even after acknowledging weaknesses, struggle to accept them. They become pessimistic, avoid reattempting challenges, and end up with emotional wounds in the form of inferiority complexes.
I plan to write more about this on another page, but acceptance is also a keyword for happiness.
The true self is not just one’s own perspective but also a complex of one’s true self from the perspective of others.
Ignoring evaluations from others is not acceptable in society. To live happily in society, one must accept evaluations from others.
Acknowledged and accepted. At this point, weaknesses and shortcomings are transformed into potential.
Although weaknesses and potential are essentially the same, the way they are received makes a significant difference in the meaning of life. This is the wonderful aspect of the psychological state called acceptance.
Potential can remain as it is, and if that makes an individual happy, it is perfectly fine.
However, if there is ambition, all that is left is for each person to take realistic actions based on their goals and potential.
People who are constantly compelled to compete with others, those who absolutely do not want to lose to that person they dislike, and those who want to stand out in a group—all these individuals with ambitious goals should learn the techniques of acknowledgment and acceptance.
Without transforming acknowledged weaknesses into potential through acknowledgment and acceptance, running only on ambition may make someone part of the “consciousness-elevating” group, but it is inefficient for growing one’s abilities.
In the first place, without knowing one’s weaknesses, how can one improve? It is a mystery.
This kind of wisdom is not taught in schools (click here to open the page on whether going to college is worthwhile). However, children, students, and young people with parents who understand this mechanism of growth tend to grow significantly faster.
That’s it for this time.
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