If the world of business were a song, it would probably sound like Daft Punk.
“Work it harder, make it better, do it faster…”
Throw a self-help guru like Tony Robbins in the mix, passionately shouting, “strive to become the best version of yourself!”
And you get the average life of an entrepreneur —a constant spin in a hamster wheel, struggling to catch a breath while becoming their best self and keeping their business away from collapse.
The (Exhausting) Pursuit of Limitless Growth
The business world, together with the self-improvement movement, chant a mantra of pushing boundaries and achieving never-ending growth.
I was in that space for a few years.
I used to strive to conquer my fears, shatter my limiting beliefs and become my best possible self. All while seeking a survival formula for thriving in the uncertainties of entrepreneurship and the shadow of an AI-driven world.
Huh. No pressure there.
And then we wonder why so many of us feel overwhelmed and burnt out.
Challenging the Status Quo around Self-Improvement
While the concept of self-improvement comes from the best of intentions, it’s time to re-think it.
I’m not saying it’s not helpful —as a recovering self-improvement junkie, I can say it’s helped me loads.
But as Marshall Goldsmith —who was voted Ten Top Thinkers in the world— states in the title of one of his books: “What got you here won’t get you there.”
In other words; self-improvement can only ever get you so far.
As the “harder, better, faster, stronger” mantra loops, it makes you wonder –does it really lead to our best selves? Or are we just spinning, chasing an ever-moving target that keeps us feeling like we’re never quite ‘there’?
Let’s face it ——this self-improvement race can feel like a marathon with no finish line. Which means it gets exhausting over time.
Now, think about it: the very foundation of self-improvement assumes there is a self to improve. It’s a bit like saying to be a better swimmer, you must first feel like a drowning fish.
While this example may sound exaggerated, you get the idea.
In a way it’s a paradox— to feel like we can become better, we must first feel inadequate.
Are We the Architects of Our Own Chaos?
What if we are creating our own insecurities and fears through this endless pursuit?
What if we are the ones making ourselves feel anxious, insecure, overwhelmed and stressed?
And, the most important question… what if we don’t need to keep doing that?
The End of Self-Improvement
In truth, there is a much more simple (and more fulfilling) way to becoming your best self: realising it’s already within you.
What if your best self isn’t a destination to reach but a treasure waiting to be uncovered?
While Daft Punk and the self-improvement industry push you to new boundaries, perhaps the real treasure lies not in creating a better song, but in understanding the principles behind the music.
This involves exploring where your human experience comes from. Understanding your entrepreneurial experience. Wondering how your mind works. Comprehending how business operates. Realising how your reality is being shaped.
Once you have that understanding, you no longer need to stay in the self-improvement race. You’ll find that it’s less about improving things, and more about uncovering the resources that are already there —but were forgotten over time.
In other words…
It’s all about uncovering the gem within.
