Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson's Essay on Self-Reliance is 20 pages of pure gold.
I have never highlighted and underlined as many key passages or scribbled in the side margins in a book anywhere near as much as I have with this classic.
When it comes to self-improvement and books in general we’re always looking at the new releases as these are the books that’re advertised and pushed in our face, both online and in your local bookstore. 90% of the time you’re reading a poorly re-hashed version of a previous book.
Books such as Emerson's Self-Reliance and Other Essays isn’t advertised whatsoever.
You won’t find this book anywhere near the best sellers or anywhere that’s particularly visible in your local bookstore.
Hell, you'll probably have to order it online.
Read it, understand it and apply it and you'll get 100x the few dollars you spend back, without question.
Below Are My Key Takeaways From Emerson's Self-Reliance Essay
"Do your work and, you shall reinforce yourself."
Talk is cheap, we're always trying to impress others, wearing masks and bluffing our way through things.
As such you will not get a proper understanding of a man merely by what he says.
Look at their work. Actions speak louder than words.
"What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think."
Every man has a mission, that mission in the burning desire inside you - the voice that keeps you awake at night, the idea you can't get out of your head.
Quite often this idea and desire will not align with what society wants you to do.
If you're 25 years old and fresh out of college society expects you to get a job and rot in a cubicle from 9am 'till 5pm Monday through Friday.
If you want to travel South East Asia while earning cash through an online venture you're damn right if you think society will disapprove of this.
This is why you must do it. You will never be content if you follow the plan or expectations others have set for you.
"To be great is to be misunderstood."
Greatness will not and can not be achieved by following everyone else.
To conform is to be understood.
To follow your dreams and to take the road less travelled... people will not and can not understand you...
"I put my heart and my soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process." - Vincent Van Gogh
