Self-Reliance is the topic (and title) of an 1841 essay from US philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson.

He argues strongly that self-reliance, self-trust, and individualism, amongst other things, are ways that we can avoid the conformity imposed upon us.

• Thinking independently: The ability to think autonomously goes hand in hand with trusting your own instinct.
• Embracing your individuality.
• Striving towards your own goals, bravely.

It’s important to remember that self-reliance is not about cutting yourself off from everybody.

Do this to ensure daily progress and motivation.

Because big goals can be demotivating: that burst of excitement at the beginning quickly wears off. Small wins keep your eyes on the process, not the result and help you see the progress you're making.

In Pareto Principle, the winner takes almost all. The-Winner-Take-All effect happens isn’t because winners are better, smarter, and stronger than everyone else. In fact, most of us started at about the same place. But that tiny little advantage can take a person a long way by compounding effect over time.

• Pick one goal for your business to improve focus and decision-making.
• Optimise the first item in a funnel that has cascading effect to the entire funnel
• Work hard to understand the 20% of your customer.
• Create high margin products that bring 80% of all profits.
• When assessing risk, recognise not all risks are equal.

1. Add more value: identify activities that are valuable to us  or we can remove activities that reduce value.
2. Change our thinking: Perhaps our life already has sources of value, but we just aren’t looking at things in the right way. 

The 'back shop' doesn't mean a room behind your workplace to take refuge. It is not a type of selfish, introverted withdrawal from family life, but the need to protect yourself from the pain that would come if you lost that family. It is a place to mend a broken heart, not by avoiding future pain, but by coming into a different relationship with it.

The promise of getting away from it all is a fool's errand since, wherever you go, you take yourself with you.

To be with yourself is a chance for a great companionship. Your soul has the means to attack and to defend, the means to receive and to give. The quality of your inner conversation will determine the quality of life.

Keep a dream journal. Get into a habit, set things up the night before to reinforce your goal. 

In lucid dreams, you become aware you’re dreaming. You can take control of the plot. They can be anything from a brief moment where you’re in a nightmare and tell yourself: “this is a dream” and wake up. 

Challenge: Expose Biases too hidden to be seen.

Innovation: An identity survey with easily visible results.

Lesson: More than one social identity is examined at the same time and allows becoming aware of issues related to diversity and privilege.

• Do not overestimate your own competency. Life experience alone is not enough to become a diversity expert.
• Broaden students’ perspective on privilege. A broad spectrum of topics that can reveal differences.

• Demonstrate authenticity — and grace. Making cultural faux pas is an opportunity for teaching and showing grace.

• Focus on solutions.  Awareness encourages motivation toward solutions.

Ages ago, when people were busy trying to survive, boredom wasn’t a choice. They spent all their time securing food or shelter.

We are now overstimulated — easy access to infinite entertainment options is feeding boredom rather than discouraging it.

People embrace busyness  because they are having a hard time being alone and enjoying it. 

Being busy is a tricky form of entertainment however — we don’t feel the boredom, but it isn’t fun either.