As the founder of Hack Spirit and a mindfulness enthusiast, I’ve spent years studying the human mind.
According to psychology, there are certain signs that indicate you’re evolving into the person you were destined to be. It’s not always about grand goals or monumental achievements. Instead, it’s the subtle changes in your behavior and outlook that truly matter.
In this article, I’ll be sharing eight signs that suggest you’re on the right path. These are based on psychological principles and my own experiences. By recognizing these signs, you can understand yourself better and continue growing.
Let’s dive into these eight signs you’re becoming the person you were meant to be.
1. You’re embracing change
Change can be scary. It represents the unknown and the unpredictable, two things that can make us feel uncomfortable and threatened.
But as you grow into the person you were meant to be, you’ll start to embrace change rather than fear it. You’ll see it as an opportunity for growth and learning, rather than a threat to your stability and comfort.
This shift in perspective is not always easy, but it’s a crucial part of personal development. It represents a fundamental change in how you relate to the world around you.
And this isn’t just me speaking from my own experiences. This is backed up by psychology.
As Carl Rogers, one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century, once said: “The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.”
2. You’re facing your fears
We all have fears. They’re part of being human. But when those fears start holding you back, they become a problem.
One of the signs that you’re becoming the person you were meant to be is that you’re confronting these fears head on.
I remember when I first started Hack Spirit. The fear was palpable. Would it succeed? Would people find value in what I had to say? These questions kept me up at night.
But despite those fears, I pushed forward. I faced them head on and used them as motivation to work harder and succeed.
It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. And the satisfaction of overcoming those fears was worth every sleepless night.
Like American psychologist Abraham Maslow once said: “In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or step back into safety.” And for me, stepping forward was the only option.
3. You’re letting go of your ego
Ego can be a major roadblock in our personal development. It can blind us to our faults and prevent us from growing into the person we were meant to be.
One sign that you’re evolving is that you’re learning to let go of your ego. You’re becoming more self-aware, more open to criticism, and more willing to learn from others.
In my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I delve deeper into this concept. I explain how Buddhist principles can help us reduce our ego, leading to a healthier, happier life.
In one of the chapters, I share personal stories and practical tips on how to minimize ego in your daily life. It’s not about erasing your sense of self, but rather about understanding where ego can interfere with your growth and learning how to manage it effectively.
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4. You’re setting healthier boundaries
Setting boundaries is a key aspect of mental health and self-care. It enables us to separate who we are, and what we think and feel, from the thoughts and feelings of others.
When you start setting healthier boundaries, you are taking a significant step towards becoming the person you were meant to be.
Healthy boundaries can look like saying “no” when you need to, protecting your personal space, or even recognizing when others cross the line.
This is not about isolating yourself, but about knowing your limits and ensuring others respect them. It’s about self-preservation and maintaining a healthy relationship with yourself and others.
5. You’re not afraid of failures
This might sound counterintuitive, but hear me out: becoming the person you were meant to be often involves failing. A lot.
We live in a society that stigmatizes failure, making us fear it. But failure is an integral part of personal growth. It’s through our failures that we learn the most valuable lessons about ourselves and the world around us.
Becoming comfortable with failure doesn’t mean you enjoy it or seek it out. Rather, it means you’re capable of enduring it, learning from it, and using it as a stepping stone towards success.
Psychologists often emphasize the importance of a growth mindset – the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work.
As the esteemed psychologist Carol Dweck states: “In a growth mindset, challenges are exciting rather than threatening. So rather than thinking, oh, I’m going to reveal my weaknesses, you say, wow, here’s a chance to grow.”
Embracing this mindset is a clear sign you’re on the path to becoming who you were meant to be.
6. You’re practicing self-compassion
Practicing self-compassion is a clear sign that you’re becoming the person you were meant to be. Self-compassion involves being kind to oneself in instances of pain or failure, rather than being overly critical or harsh.
This doesn’t mean ignoring your faults or failures. Instead, it means acknowledging them without judgement and understanding that everyone makes mistakes.
Self-compassion can lead to increased resilience, better mental health, and a stronger sense of self-worth. It’s about treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer to a friend.
As psychologist Kristin Neff, one of the world’s leading experts on self-compassion, eloquently puts it: “With self-compassion, we give ourselves the same kindness and care we’d give to a good friend.”
Practicing this level of empathy towards yourself is a major step in becoming who you were meant to be.
7. You’re seeking authenticity
Being true to yourself, your beliefs, and your values is a powerful marker that you’re becoming the person you were meant to be.
Authenticity means shedding societal expectations and being honest about who you are and what you want. It’s about staying true to your convictions, even when they aren’t popular or easy.
For instance, when I decided to follow my passion for mindfulness and start Hack Spirit, it wasn’t the “safe” choice. There were many doubts and risks involved. But I knew that I wouldn’t be true to myself if I didn’t take this path.
Famed psychologist Carl Rogers emphasized the importance of authenticity in his humanistic approach to psychology: “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”
This acceptance is the first step towards authentic living and becoming who you were meant to be.
8. You’re focusing on the present moment
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s easy to get caught up in the past or future. But one surefire sign that you’re becoming the person you were meant to be is that you’re focusing more on the present moment.
Mindfulness, or the practice of being fully engaged in the here and now, is a powerful tool for personal growth. It allows us to experience life more fully, reduces stress, and helps us respond more effectively to challenges.
This doesn’t mean you don’t plan for the future or learn from the past. But it means you’re not allowing these things to distract you from living fully in the current moment.
As renowned mindfulness expert and psychologist Jon Kabat-Zinn puts it: “Mindfulness means being awake. It means knowing what you are doing.” By practicing mindfulness and focusing on the present, you’re taking steps towards becoming your true self.
Final thoughts: It’s a journey
Personal growth and evolution are not about reaching a final destination, but about the journey itself.
Recognizing these eight signs in your life is just the beginning. Each sign is an invitation to explore deeper, to learn more about yourself, and to continue your journey of personal evolution.
In my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I delve into the importance of mindfulness, self-compassion, and reducing ego in our journey towards becoming the person we were meant to be.
But remember, this journey is unique to each person. Your path may look different from someone else’s, and that’s okay. The important part is that you are moving forward, growing, and continuously striving to be your best self.
As psychologist Carl Rogers once said: “The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction not a destination.” So keep moving in your direction, keep growing and evolving.
After all, becoming the person you were meant to be is not about reaching a specific end point. It’s about continuous growth and evolution. It’s about embracing the journey.