Knowing who you are – and staying true to that – is “the greatest accomplishment”, to quote Ralph Waldo Emerson. To the few that stay committed to their values, integrity, etc. – above all else: “Well Done”. If you identify as your realest self – and have real pride to put that realization into reality, you’re aware of the dedication to maintain that level. This perspective is earned.

As this graph illustrates, the awareness of knowing yourself is inversely related to the foolish belief of knowing other people. If you know yourself, you recognize that you can’t fully know another person simply because of the monumental journey to know who you are (Top Left of Graph). A portion (%’s vary) of a person’s picture is always visible, but only each individual has access to his/her full picture. As emphasized in Do You Know Who You’re Talking To?, you should seek to understand every person you meet from a blank slate. As you know yourself, you develop an open mind to others – and vice versa.

People struggling with their own identity typically incorrectly assume they know others (Bottom Right of Graph). These people haven’t fought within themselves to know who they are; thus they don’t realize the complexities in other people. This war to discover who you are, fight off weaker versions of yourself, and resist fake temptations consists of many battles. Will you enter the battlefield, and seek to command your point along the graph? Your order.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.” – Sun Tzu