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There are certain bad habits we've groomed our whole life -- from personality flaws to fashion faux pas. And it has been the role of parents and friends, outside of some minor tweaking, to reinforce the belief that we're okay just as we are. But it's not enough to just be yourself. You have to be your best self. And that's a tall order if you haven't found your best self yet.
Neil Strauss
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Being yourself is not enough; you must strive to be your best self, which can be challenging without self-awareness.

This quote suggests that while society, including our parents and friends, may accept us as we are, true growth requires us to go beyond mere acceptance of our flaws and strive for self-improvement. The journey to discover and become your best self can be daunting, especially if you are not yet aware of what that entails, highlighting the importance of self-discovery and personal development.

Themes

Self-ImprovementBest SelfPersonal GrowthAcceptanceSelf-Awareness

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about personal growth, you might say this quote to encourage individuals to pursue their best selves.

More from Neil Strauss

It's not enough to just be yourself. You must be your best self
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To me, I think it's awesome to meet your heroes and find out who they are and where they came from and what made them choose to communicate in the form that connected with you.
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In life, people tend to wait for good things to come to them. And by waiting, they miss out. Usually, what you wish for doesn't fall in your lap; it falls somewhere nearby, and you have to recognize it, stand up, and put in the time and work it takes to get to it. This isn't because the universe is cruel. It's because the universe is smart. It has its own cat-string theory and knows we don't appreciate things that fall into our laps.
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In fact, every woman I met seemed disposable and replaceable. I was experiencing seducer's paradox: The better a seducer I became, the less I loved women. Success was no longer defined by getting laid or finding a girlfriend, but by how well I performed.
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A lot of guys are very intimidated by an attractive woman, and they dehumanise her because our culture perceives beautiful women as commodities. But I think if you're able walk up to a person and get to know them, and you see their flaws and their impurities, and realise that they're like you, then you can humanise them again.
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One of the reasons I became a writer is that, unlike starting a band, directing movies, or acting in a theatrical production, you can do it alone. Your success and failure depend entirely on yourself.
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Quote by Neil Strauss | QuoteProject