Is 'Your Background' holding you back from becoming your best version?
Mindset Matters Issue #4
An important pillar of your mindset is your background.
Definition
Your background is everything you are, have been up till this point (while reading this)
Your background shapes your personality,
it shapes your thoughts,
it shapes your habits,
and ultimately it shapes your mindset.
It is the story you have been ‘living’ up till this point.
It is the thought bubble you are IN up till this point.
Elaboration
This pillar of our mindset is a critical pillar. It stems our inherent beliefs and also impacts the social pressures we take on (because we think we should).
I found a good read to elaborate my point:
Our past is our past. Our current life, our TODAY is influenced and informed by our PAST. But we should not let our past DEFINE our PRESENT.
Inclusions
Your background is:
The place(s) you lived
The school you went to
The community you are part of- friends, family, neighborhood
The food you eat
The environment you experienced so far in your life
The things you consumed- content, ideas, interaction with people
Example of my life
For the longest time I was letting my background define my
present.
For the longest time I was limiting myself due to my background, due to the work exposure I did not have.
However, I was tired of ‘waiting’.
Waiting for the right time, the right experience, the right exposure.
and this is when I finally had an epiphany, which changed my life.
I chose to NOT be defined by my past, my mindset changed.
Conclusion
You have had a certain life up till this point, this is okay.
You are okay,
You are doing well.
But you can do better,
You can BE better.
You can THINK differently,
You can work differently, eat differently.
Your background is real and will stay as it is.
But it should not stop you from changing today, IF you want to/if you feel like it.
If you are even a tiny bit curious to try out another way of life (rather than the usual way we are wired to think), you can and you should.
Embrace your past and define your present. This is your decision only.
I agree that our background significantly shapes our identity, influenced by the beliefs instilled in us by our parents, society, friends, and education. It’s crucial to consciously acknowledge these beliefs and assess their alignment with our personal goals. Asking ourselves, ‘Does this belief serve my aspirations?’ is essential. (I.e. the traditional path of attending school and pursuing a desk job may not resonate with everyone). If it doesn’t align with one’s aspirations, it’s necessary to unlearn these beliefs and foster new ones that propel us towards our desired future. Thank you for the insightful article!