You are here: Home / Mind / Goals / Self Improvement Checkpoint: Don’t believe Everything that you Read

Self Improvement Checkpoint: Don’t believe Everything that you Read

Share/Save/Bookmark

Are you one of those people who gets motivated, excited, or educated about the things that you read? Well I certainly hope so since you are reading my blog right now, but I also want to put up the caution flag, because not everything that you read is going to steer you in the right direction!

One of the great things about the Internet is that anyone can be a writer, and for people with talent and/or knowledge that is worth sharing, that freedom is great. However, there are also people who don't have much writing talent, or much knowledge to share, but that isn't stopping them from writing!

A Self Improvement CheckPointNow, don't get me wrong. I would never tell someone not to express themselves just because they don't have a writing degree, or because they don't have a plaque hanging on their wall from some prestigious university. I have neither myself, yet the things that I write tend to be worth reading, or at least that's what I've been told.

The trick here is to read information and run it through the filters of your own experiences. Just because one person has a certain point of view doesn't mean that you necessarily need to agree with it just because you found it written on some blog, website, message board, or an offline publication.

For example, I got this quote in my email this morning, credited originally to Elizabeth Taylor:

"It's not the having, it's the getting."

Okay, I'll buy that. Life is a journey, not a destination, and all of that. I agree. However, at the same time, it is ALSO the having. I have a wonderful set of circumstances that are in the process of coming into my life right now, and the "getting" part of the end result of those circumstances is certainly enjoyable. It's exciting and exhilarating even!

Nonetheless, I have no intention of getting to the end result and then not enjoying that result when it gets here! That's like going out and buying a new computer, or iPod, or big-screen TV, but then never using it. That doesn't make any sense to me. 

So, referring back to the quote about about focusing on the "getting" rather than the "having," that quote does not resonate with me. Just because Elizabeth Taylor originally said it does not mean that I need to agree with it.

As you go through your day to day and week to week routines of reading things online, getting motivational quotes via email, or reading empowering books or magazines, allow yourself to take in all of the incredible feelings of empowerment, motivation, and courage that those types of media can bring you.

However, for every phrase, sentence, saying, or axiom that crosses your path, ask yourself if YOU believe those words. If you do, then run with it. If not, don't be afraid to kick it to the curb! 

Related Content:

Dan and Jennifer are the Founders and Senior Editors of Ask Dan & Jennifer, which has been called "the best and most popular Love and Sex advice column on the Internet today". Their videos are some of the most popular videos on YouTube. You should Fan Dan & Jennifer on Facebook and Follow them on Twitter!
Posted On November 7, 2007 · Filed Under Goals · Tagged With

Read These Related Articles...

Check Out These Helpful Resources You May Like...

  • Awesome post on Self Improvement.
    I really appreciate your article its quite interesting and informative too. Self Improvement is the key to better relations with other people. Self Improvement helps us to take our own decision in any kind of problems that we face in our lives. Self Improvement is all about knowing who we are and making committed decision. It is a better way to take charge of our own life. Self Improvement is an excellent investment in improving your life. :)
  • Andrea,

    Yes, our society has been "raised" on reading as a source of information, which is great, of course, and recommended within proper context.

    However, as you indicated, looking inward is our best way to truly find answers, even if that inward look is just to ask ourselves whether or not we should believe something that we've read, or something that we have heard or seen.
  • Kaka,

    The "current situation" phrase that you used is SO important! Our lives change very rapidly, and what might apply during one period of our lives may not apply later, and vice-versa.

    Truly quality information is good to put up on a bookshelf somewhere to be perused again later. You never know when something might apply to your life that didn't apply the first time you read it.
  • Great post! So often when I'm talking to clients within a reading and give them information, I get the question "Where can I read more about that?" It just goes to show how we immediately look towards what is written as an authoritative source of information - whereas I like to point my clients inward as their own ultimate source!

    Blessings,
    Andrea
  • I've found your blog from Personal Development Partners, and I believe I'll learn something from here too.

    I always think not every principle or rule applies to everyone. Even though the saying is true, it may not apply to me or it may not apply to my current situation. I like to read, but I'll always pick what I really believe in or what can really apply to me. By reading those which cannot apply doesn't harm too, coz from there, I know why it can't be applied to myself, hence I get to know myself better.
  • Patricia,

    That's a good distinction - negativity vs. naivity. The middle ground is definitely more appealing!
  • Erica!!

    I'm quite happy that you found my blog again, too! It's been awhile, and it's great to see you around these parts.

    I'll swing by and check out your new site as soon as I have some time to read through and check it all out. :)
  • Patricia
    I entered the comments section to say exactly what Tom said!

    I'll only add that the 2nd position feels worse to me than the 1st. The 2nd is 100% negative, while the other is more naïve and not necessarily negative.
  • Great point. I hope that most of us are intelligent enough to question the source.

    I'm quite happy to have found your blog again after a long time away.

    babygirl
  • Tom,

    You are so right, and thanks for pointing out those 2 differing ends of the spectrum. The middle ground is definitely the place where the magic happens!
blog comments powered by Disqus