CONQUER SELF.

We all have issues that we deal with in our individual lives. Habits creep into our world without us noticing till they become addiction and they irrefutably affect our being; adversely or positively. Bad habits (addiction to drugs, alcohol, cigarette, the pursuit of women, to name a few) can deter your dreams, affect your finances, affect your health, and even reduce your lifespan. Even if you attain greatness, bad habits can bring you down. Good habits on the other hand will add to you, improve your efficiency and will even catapult you to greatness. Hence, it is imperative that we take on only good habits if we must triumph in this adventure called life. Unfortunately, our physical frame is susceptible to wrongdoing. Thus, it’s evident that the greatest enemy anyone can have is self. How can we then possibly win the battle against self?

Isn’t it amazing that many are still trapped despite the fact that the wages of bad habits are well known? That’s the power of habit in action! To win the battle against self, everyone needs to constantly place self in check. It’s not a one-time battle; it’s a continuous battle until we bid the world goodbye. It calls for self denial. It calls for sacrifice. Really, the task is Herculean, but it must be undertaken if you want your existence to be meaningful.

When last did you do a self appraisal? Do you know yourself? Are you addicted to some habits? Are they good or bad? Are your habits threatening your dreams? Will they take you closer to your dreams or lead you to your grave? Who’s in charge of your life: you or your habits? Examine your life. If you’re headed in the wrong direction, make a conscious effort to break yourself loose from the shackles of bad habits. If you’re stuck, get professional help. Even seek spiritual help if you must. At any rate, set yourself free!

You cannot achieve much in life if you allow self to rule you. In J. Paul Getty’s words, “The individual who wants to reach the top in business must appreciate the might of the force of habit – and must understand that practices are what create habits. He must be quick to break those habits that can break him – and hasten to adopt those practices that will become the habits that help him achieve the success he desires.” The longer you indulge yourself in destructive habits, the more difficult it’ll be to break them. Conquer self. In your own interest, break those bad habits now; break it completely before it ruins you. Remember, “A stitch in time saves nine.”