They said that about me?
If only they knew me better
If a man has reported to you, that a certain person speaks ill of you, do not make any defense to what has been told you: but reply, The man did not know the rest of my faults, for he would not have mentioned these only.
Epictetus
When you cultivate a growth mindset, you’re more self-aware of your pitfalls because you’re actively improving yourself, which requires self-reflection. To cultivate a growth mindset, you must constantly rid yourself of your ego. Perhaps when you find yourself being defensive, defending your actions you know could be improved; ego defenses could also include making excuses, self-unawareness, overestimating your abilities, and emotional triggers from criticisms. The ego is designed to protect you, protect you from the truth. It’s a coping mechanism we’ve all developed. That’s why it’s so dangerous because it’s preventing you from reaching your full potential by fooling you into thinking you’ve done it already. You’ll know you’re getting somewhere when you’re no longer worried about how people view you; unfair as their image of you may be, it is irrelevant. The mark of true human strength is in vulnerability. You’re not afraid of what can’t hurt you. You’re no longer living for ego and its desire for self-image. You’re living for truth, a truth you’re content with being the only person knowing. Does a particular person speak ill of me? If only he knew me better, for he would have mentioned my other faults too.
