By Farrah Gray | SACOBSERVER.COM WIRE SERVICES

(NNPA) - Self-analysis is a fancy word for “getting to know oneself.” Armed with self-knowledge, we are able to use ourselves more effectively, more meaningfully. To know our strengths, for instance, gives us direct access to our power. A boxer must know what his strengths are. If his power is in his left, he can use it to his advantage.

This goes for our weaknesses and vulnerabilities, as well. We must shore up where we can and accept the risks where we can’t. The object is always to convert weakness to power. This requires hard work. The great boxers have arms of equal strength — a balance of power. It is rare that a person is born with equal strength in both arms; the weaker one has to be brought up to the stronger one—not an altogether easy task in most instances.

Our more serious weaknesses are not physical ones. They are the ones that have to do with our character, and the ones that usually have the most direct and greatest impact on others. Bad tempers have to be tempered; dishonesty made honest; egos deflated; greed starved; laziness kicked in the butt.

Self-analysis also reveals our talents. Talents are often wasted because they remain undiscovered. A talent is a precious commodity. It is the raw material for our creations - our production. It is one of our few natural attributes that can be transferred directly into success that is, if it’s recognized. An undeveloped talent is like a withered grape on the vine — fruit that will go to waste.

Talents are often discovered by doing. The more things we do, the more we finds out about our strengths — our potential. The key to success is knowing which basket to put our eggs into. At first we may not like the message we get about what talent we possess. But to proceed on a mere interest or desire in an area where we clearly lack talent is to court disaster.

One of the greatest benefits of really knowing ourselves is that we are freed from many self-imposed delusions. A clear picture of who we are allows us to see ourselves as a participant rather than a victim. We cannot change the past, but, by coming to a better understanding of the whys and hows of what we have or have not accomplished, we can better use the knowledge to our advantage in the present and in moving forward.

Our dreams connect us to the future. They speak to us of our fears as well as our aspirations. Just as it is important to know our vulnerabilities, it is also important to know our deepest desires. Our aspirations too often get the cold shoulder. It is sad that we are so easily discouraged. We see the possibilities in X, yet we allow an assortment of a’s, b’s, c’s to stop us in our tracks before we inquire about what these factors really mean in the equation. It is important to realize, too, that aspiring is not the same as goal setting. In fact, overly elaborate goal setting can easily kill aspiration. Aspiration, in the true sense of the word, is a form of self-projecting. It is something that transports us beyond the realm of immediate possibilities and momentarily suspends us - if we allow it - above present reality. Aspiration is the “wish upon a star” aspect of our lives.

Sometimes when you come from humble beginnings you never make plans to accomplish anything or be anywhere at a certain time because of the basic challenges you face getting even the most basic tasks accomplished. Do you know what you want? What talents, abilities, and aspirations do you have to achieve your dreams in life? What do your dreams consist of? Are they achievable or unrealistic?''

What do you do with the findings of your self-search? What you do should always create opportunities for your personal growth, yet, at the same time, satisfy the needs of others. In becoming self-employed you take on great responsibilities. In short, there must be a reasonably strong relationship between the demands of the business and the existing attributes of the business owner.

For those who become self-employed being “on the line” also means being on the road to personal achievement and self-satisfaction. The promises of such a journey are worth all the struggles and sacrifices encountered along the way.

Farrah Gray is the author of the international best-seller "Reallionaire:
Nine Steps to Becoming Rich from the Inside Out." He is chairman of the Farrah Gray Foundation. Gray can be reached via e-mail at fg@farrahgrayfoundation.org or his Web site at www.farrahgrayfoundation.org.