A few days ago, I attended a Toastmasters meeting where a thought-provoking question was raised: “Who influenced you most in your life with a conversation?” This question made me reflect deeply on the various conversations that have shaped my life.
Certainly, this is a tricky question. The more I analyze it, the harder it becomes to answer due to the domino effect. I am a construction built over my previous self, and I’m sure that everyone else is too. I’ve confronted many changes in my life in the last few years, and I guess I am not alone in this.
In a blink of an eyes a lot of people to choose from pass through my mind: my parents, some teachers from school, some leaders from different churches, professors from university, life couches, authors from books that I read, podcast speakers, experiences from people in my life, and even people from videos that I’ve seen on the internet. In just a couple of seconds, my mind got overwhelmed with a lot of possible answers.
The answer at the end come out of my mind without many hesitations, but with a little confusion for me. The conversation with more impact in my life was, is and will continue be… the conversation with myself.
My justification is that, no matter how wise, well intentioned, or well-structured the advice from one person is, that will not have effect in you until you reflection on it and act. The changes happen for action, not just for world that come out from a figure in front of your eyes. The acceptance of an idea happens with a conversation that you have with yourself. The biggest filter that every people have before making changes in the behavior is their own self.
We are in constant change, and hopefully, these changes are for the better. The self-reflection is a tool that can be used to improve us even without the risk of becoming dependent on others. Understand that any change that will happen in our life is our decision, that is to take the bulls by the horns. It’s to be responsible of the direction of your life, and aware that the ultimate voice that matter, is your inner voice.