Take Yourself Seriously, Or No One Else Will

Life is too short to surround yourself with people who aren't looking out for you."  - Sharon Van Etten

“I have come to believe that caring for myself is not self-indulgent. Caring for myself is an act of survival.” — Audre Lorde

 “If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.” — Jack Kornfield

Fresh out of university, I was interning at a young consulting company.

One evening, as we sat around chatting after work, one founder (let’s call him George) told us a story.

George had a married friend (let’s call him Tony) who was a senior manager at a large company.

Tony called him up one day and said, “ Hi bro. Do you remember my girlfriend Lucy whom I introduced to you the other day at the bar?

She needs a job. Can you help employ her for me? She isn’t really skilled but I’m sure you can find something for her to do”. And then he laughed.

George asked him incredulously, “You want me to sacrifice my business, my life, my wife, my children’s future for your temporary plaything? You must be a joker!

Why haven’t you gotten your company to employ her?”.

Tony stammered and said she wasn’t qualified enough for his company, but that George should forget about it. And then ended the call.

I am sure he made no such silly requests again to George.

This story taught me a lesson I have never forgotten.

No one will take you as seriously as you take yourself.

People will ask you to do things they will not do themselves. They will expect you to sacrifice what they cannot.

They might even laugh behind your back at your gullibility.

If you let them, they will use you and discard you.

Even family and friends.

No need to get mad. It's the way of the world.

It is okay to do favors for friends and family. It is not okay to do so to your own detriment.

You must set the tone for your life.

Whatever you take seriously, you will force the universe to take it seriously with you.

Whatever you joke with, the world will help you destroy it.

Have an awesome and fulfilling week ahead!

"Stay Sharp"

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