The importance of independent thinking & self-actualization

One of the most important aspects of life is having independent thinking.

Most that have achieved enormous success did not conform. All great founders are well-mannered misfits.

None of the founders we back are ordinary people. If they were, they would get a job at a large corporation.

I was reading Striking Thoughts from Bruce Lee this morning and this paragraph on self-actualization versus self-image-actualization:

“Many people dedicate their lives to actualizing a concept of what they should be like, rather than actualizing themselves. This difference between self-actualizing and self-image actualizing is very important. Most people only live for their image.
Where some people have a self, most people have a void, because they are so busy projecting themselves as this or that. This again is the curse of the ideal. The curse is that you should not be what you are. Every external control, even internalized external control—"you should"—interferes with the healthy working of the organism. There is only one thing that should control the situation. If you understand the situation that you are in and let the situation that you are in control your actions, then you learn how to cope with life.”

— Bruce Lee

The easiest person to fool is yourself. Be centered in your mission. Build and let go of everything else.

I am a firm believer that you can only find peace of mind in yourself. That is the fastest way to connect to God.

Independent thinking is essential because you don’t want to try to build the next Google, Uber, or Facebook. By following trends, you are building your bed of oblivion.

Hard to innovate if you are trying to imitate.