Be the Best Version of Yourself

What is the point of going to school knowing that you need to spend that much? If schooling is not for you, why look for opportunities to expand your business? 

Is it not because you want to level up to the utmost? We want to become the best version of ourselves. But the problem is, many do not know how to reach this. 

We tend to live according to people’s expectations. This does not move us to where we want.

We need God’s revelation to do this. We need to use models that can help us. Without a model, we are like engineers who cannot determine the possibility for a building to collapse. Without a model, we are like medical doctors who cannot determine the right tests to diagnose a disease.

As I searched for models, I realized that Total Quality Management (TQM) is very powerful. It gave an edge to many companies. Do companies need TQM? I should point out this quote from H. James Harrington, columnist for Quality Digest magazine: "We are trying to do everything for everybody, and as a result we are missing the real quality objective -- better products and services...Too many of us stop short of being our best. We say, 'Tha'ts good enough,' never knowing how good we could be..."

On a personal level, we need to adopt a workable model like TQM. We can tailor some concepts for our perusal.

This is what I do now. Let me propose the principle of designing your own personal app. This is a figurative language that refers to becoming what you ought to be. It means becoming your best, not based on other people’s expectations.

To live your life to the utmost, you need to build your own personal brand. It is your life, anyway. You do not simply read someone else’s script.

Branding ourselves make us stand out from the crowd.

This is what our top artists do. If you are familiar with Napoleon Abueva, a National Artist Awardee from the Philippines, this is what he did. When he studied fine arts at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, he defied the teaching of his mentors. He created his own style in sculpture. His mentors were traditionalists, while he was a modernist.

He got low grades as a result, yet he won major national prizes. Later, he represented the country in biennales abroad. His efforts paid off: he was the youngest artist who ever reached the National Artist level at the age of 40. He successfully established his own brand.

Now, let me deal with another equally important element of an app that applies to you.

Aside from branding, we also need analytics for ourselves just like analytics used for apps. This refers to specific ways to measure our progress based on our callings.

For instance, a teacher is evaluated based on how he simplifies complex concepts and how he designs experiences that maximize learning among his students. Farmers are measured according to how they maximize the yield of the farm.

Businessmen are measured based on the bottom line as well as their value proposition that makes them sustainable. Moreover, they should be evaluated based on their corporate social responsibility. Small-timers who cannot yet organize corporate social responsibility can still help an indigent to balance his pursuit.

Students should not just be measured by getting high grades; they must read the book “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill. If they read such books, among others, they develop a mindset that leads them to big breaks even without finishing their college degrees.

Find out your analytics because they are important to become the best version of yourself. This is based on the premise that what you cannot measure, you cannot improve.

Measurements are important. We have one set for our specific calling; moreover, we all have a common assessment.

We do not just base our evaluation on what we are intended for in the universe. We all, regardless of our calling, need to pass the test for faithfulness.

According to Rick Warren, there are seven ways God will evaluate your faithfulness. These are the questions we ask:

1)   Do you possess the right values?

2)   Do you care about the interest of others?

3)   Do you live with integrity before an unbelieving world?

4)   Do you keep your promises?

5)   Do you develop your God-given gifts?

6)   Do you obey God’s commands?

7)   Do you pass on what you learn?

Let us all pass this evaluation.

________________________________________________________________________

Lucell Larawan writes content for companies. He had taught undergraduate and graduate students in business management for 17 years. Moreover, he is also an achieving visual artist. If you think you need his skills, you can email him at [email protected].