Have you ever wondered why about nine out of ten people who contemplate becoming their best self never actually take that first step? They think about it, dream about it, perhaps even talk about it—but that’s where it ends.
In my years of working with people on their personal journeys, I’ve heard countless reasons why. But there’s one excuse that crops up far more than any other: “I can’t begin this adventure because I don’t know who my best self actually is—so how can I possibly become that person?”
Here’s the beautiful irony: knowing your best self isn’t something you need before the adventure—it’s what you discover during it. You only uncover this knowledge by embarking on the journey itself.
There simply isn’t another way to discover the best version of yourself. Every insight you seek—every revelation, every subtle understanding—exists within the adventure. Not at the end point, but in the winding path you travel.
Of course, you could choose to avoid this journey altogether. You might prefer the familiar comfort of your sofa, TV remote in one hand and a bowl of crisps in the other, passively absorbing the world’s messages about who you are and who you should be.
But here’s the truth: the person the world wants you to shape yourself into isn’t who you truly are.
The world constantly tries to mould you into something different, but you don’t need to become something new to be your best self—you simply need to embrace all of who you already are. The authentic you has been present within you from the beginning. It never disappeared. It just became harder to hear as the world’s noise grew louder.
The only genuine path to discovering your best self is to look within. To explore forgotten corners of your inner landscape and territories yet uncharted. To search persistently for that treasure that’s been misplaced but still yearns to be found, holding onto the hope that someday it will emerge into the light once more.
That’s the real adventure.
It’s a journey that often leads to places you’d prefer to avoid. It reveals aspects of yourself you might rather not acknowledge. It challenges nearly everything you’ve been told was good for you. Yet it’s precisely this adventure that marks the difference between truly living and merely existing.
As Socrates wisely states in the film Peaceful Warrior, “People are afraid of what’s inside, and that’s the only place they’re ever going to find what they need.”
You must confront that fear. Your fulfilment depends on it.
All the answers you seek aren’t external—they already exist deep within you. Your only task is to commit to discovering them by taking that first step.
Rather than hindering your progress, not knowing what your best self looks like is exactly what makes the adventure possible. So embrace the uncertainty, begin the journey, and watch the dilemma of not knowing dissolve.
Easier said than done, I understand completely. But it absolutely can be done. To help you begin, I’ve created three practical tools you can start using this week to uncover your authentic self (Just click to download – no sign up needed):
- A Daily Gratitude Journal that helps reveal your core values
- A “Quality Journey” tool focused on your inherent attributes
- A Daily Strengths Awareness template to recognise your natural talents
These resources address the fundamental elements of your best self: your values (what truly matters to you), your attributes (what makes you uniquely you), and your strengths (the natural expressions of your authentic self).
Enjoy exploring these tools on your adventure. I’d be genuinely delighted to hear about your discoveries and insights along the way, so do sharing your experience in the comments below.
