Russell Brand Quote on Self-Image and How What We Justify Is What We Recommit To

“In justifying our misery we recommit to it.”

Russell Brand, Recovery (Page 101)

Beyond the Quote (Day 407)

There’s an expression in the performance world that nobody can outperform his/her own self-image. Meaning, how a person thinks they’ll end up performing is how they’ll most likely end up performing. Self-image becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

If someone believes they’re worse than they really are, they’ll typically perform in a way that confirms that bias. And the same is true if they believe they are a middle of the pack performer, or the best in the group. Even if a person’s talents far exceed their self-image. Performers don’t rise to the level of their talents, they fall to the level of their own self-image. And the same is true for how we perform in life, too.

For, what is life but an ongoing performance against challenge, fear, uncertainty, obstacles, suffering, overwhelm, and discomfort? We’re constantly being called to race against the clock, to jump through hoops to finish projects, to juggle a barrage of tasks that always feel more than we can handle—and yet, many of us don’t see ourselves as performers at all.

We give impromptu inspirational speeches to our kids; whip together three course meals with not enough ingredients; take our lover out on spectacular, instagram worthy dates; offer careful and considerate counseling advice to our friends; and find ways to kick our own butts into shape like we were training for some kind of sparring match. What we’re doing every day is no dress rehearsal—we’re in this thing.

And so, as a performer, you have to do everything you can to improve your self-image. Because your ability to perform (in all areas of life) will always be directly tied to that picture you hold of yourself in the back of your mind.

Do you spend your time justifying your miseries or noticing your blessings? Do you recommit daily to your strengths or weaknesses? Are your priorities properly aligned so that you can take care of yourself as you would someone you cared deeply for? Or are you prioritizing yourself last because you see yourself as not being worth caring for in comparison to those around you?

It’s a tough concept to grasp, I know. The irony is palpable. But, improving yourself IS how you improve others. Caring for yourself IS how you care for others. Loving who you are IS how you love others. Now, you just have to see it for yourself—in yourself.

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