Someone asked me the other day.
“Is being so focused on bettering yourself Selfish?”
My initial response was No; but since then I have given it a great deal of thought and I might change my response. Let’s read the definition of Selfish.
self·ish
‘selfiSH/
adjective
1. (of a person, action, or motive) lacking consideration for others; concerned chiefly with one's own personal profit or pleasure.
Reading this makes me do a quick cringe move. I guess focusing on your own growth lands right on the definition above. Like most things, I believe it has to do with your intent. What motivates you to get better? If you are at the gym only to show it off at the beach or reading books on negotiation strategy to only get more for less in your next major purchase then I think you could say yes. But let’s look at it from the perspective of me writing this and you the reader that has come to read this. My motivation is to better myself so that I can better those around me. I want to learn more so that I can help people answer their own questions with knowledgeable perspectives. I want to run/swim/jump faster and further so that I can show my peers it is possible to get incrementally closer to your goals with each round of effort.
I want you to become the best version of you, not only for self validation but for those in your own life. Building a routine of doing Yoga three times a week will benefit your body and soul right now. Learning a new skill this week will benefit you… right now. Changing your diet from eating out every meal to Kale Shakes for breakfast and properly harvested meats for dinner will make your body function smoother… right now. Beyond the now there are long term effects. Building routines, establishing methods to deal with stress, keeping your body’s mobility up and figuring out what food make you perform better will help your community and your family not only now but for a life time.
Do you think you will yelling at your kids in the back of the minivan while sitting in the McDonalds drive though if you have built a foundation of positive principles?
It is selfish but for the right reasons. My personal profit is the pleasure is seeing my friends and family succeed and motivate others towards growth.