30 Posts In 30 Days – Day 17: Teacher

This is Day 17 of the 30 Posts In 30 Days Challenge I set for myself to start writing online. This post was originally published on X.

I’m a slow learner.

I pick up new things quickly, which somewhat contradicts the statement above. But only if I’m able to learn by doing it myself.

For some reason, I have a hard time listening to other people.

Even if it’s well-meant advice.

I have to do things my way. And I have to question every instruction from above.

That makes me a pretty bad employee, which is why there never was another option than working for myself.

This might sound like a pretty badass and rebellious approach to life. But it is more exhausting and annoying than anything else.

Not just for myself but also for the people around me.

But over time I’ve learned that this is how I function.

I’ve developed some tactics to deal with this, even if it means going the extra mile.

And I’ve learned that I am the only one in control of my own life.

No one else knows my mind as well as I do.
No one else can figure things out for me.
No one else can take action on my behalf.
No one else knows my exact goals and dreams.
No one else has the same values or code of conduct.

Sure, I have people I admire, look up to, and learn from.

Mentors, teachers, friends, and family who are smart, educated, and experienced.

Most of them are probably genuinely concerned about my best interests and well-being.

But they aren’t me and don’t know me as well as I do.

I don’t mean to go through life blind and deaf to everyone and everything.

I have to watch and I have to listen, in order to learn.

But I also have to make my own decisions.

I am my own best teacher.