The Art Of Being Legendary: 7 Simple Habits Of Naturally Legendary People
Being legendary has nothing to do with fame.
Esta Afsar | Unsplash Contrary to popular belief, what makes someone truly legendary has little to do with achieving GOAT status. It's the way they approach life with intention and authenticity — what will their legacy be to the people who love them the most? The following habits aren't complicated by any means.
They're practical behaviors that legendary people incorporate into their daily lives. The path to becoming legendary is open to anyone willing to do the work and commit to being the kind of person and friend who makes a difference that lasts.
Here are 7 simple habits of naturally legendary people:
1. They know they're enough
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Let that sink in for a second. The minute you stop judging yourself, you experience pure self-belief. There it is, you just grabbed it: liquid gold.
It’s there by default. And when we have this unshakeable confidence, there is no need to try to please others to gain external validation because the validation is already clearly apparent within ourselves.
Research shows that cultivating a habit of self-compassion is an effective strategy for reducing self-criticism and improving mental health. A key technique involves identifying self-critical thoughts and then challenging their accuracy.
2. They don’t fall for the stories their mind makes up about them
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No one truly knows who they are because the true self transcends objective understanding. We can try to define self-identity, but we always seem to miss the mark.
The better play? Stop believing you know who you are. You don’t. You’re composed of the same freaking energy that holds up the moon. Let go of these defining thoughts — they mean diddly squat.
Research has revealed the fundamental constraints on our ability to truly know ourselves. The core idea seems to be that we express our true selves around those we are appropriately close to and comfortable with.
3. They push back on the idea that you've got to please everyone to matter
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Oh wow. What if it just weren’t that big of a deal? What if your personal needs were more important than other people’s right now?
Positive selfishness is a thing, and it isn’t about being morally corrupt. It’s about honoring your energy so you can bloody well contribute in the first place.
For people-pleasers, self-worth is often dependent on external validation. When this approval is not received or is unfulfilling, it can lead to feelings of inadequacy. Research links strong boundary-setting with significantly lower stress and anxiety, enhanced self-worth, and more satisfying relationships.
4. They don't bend over backwards just to avoid being rejected
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What if you didn’t need to avoid being rejected? What might that say about you and the size of your brain?
How to challenge a belief? Yes, this one belief is likely calling a lot of shots in your life, so question it. Is this really true? How might it not be true? What evidence do I see that disproves this?
With new evidence to disprove false beliefs, you’ll return to the truth. And that truth is that you do not need to bother protecting yourself. Because pssst, as we established earlier: you are already whole.
Individuals with high rejection sensitivity might be more reluctant to engage in challenging tasks or pursue opportunities with possibilities of rejection. An article by the University of Connecticut explained that questioning and challenging our beliefs is essential for growth.
5. They get real about setting bounadries
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People-pleasers are not good with boundaries because their perceived sense of lower worth tells them boundaries aren’t applicable. Forget all that and welcome boundaries back into your life. Boundaries exist for one reason: to protect your energy.
Asserting your boundaries reinforces your self-worth and teaches you that your needs and desires matter, giving you a greater sense of control over your life. An article by Georgetown University explained that clear communication of your boundaries ensures that others understand your needs and limitations, reducing misunderstandings and resentment.
6. They list what's missing in their life that's totally within reach
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Ah excellent. Now you’re taking real steps to honor what you need for a change. Feels good, huh? Writing out or journaling about goals and dreams — and the steps you can take to achieve them — makes them that little bit more real. Visualize yourself having them, living them.
Writing forces you to articulate not only what you want but how you plan to achieve it. A 2020 study found that this process often leads to identifying potential obstacles and proactively developing solutions.
7. They bring more of what they need to their life, even if others don't approve
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The actions you take will start positively infecting your tired, people-pleasing identity. The dull grey of your old identity will be infused with the bright blue of the confident you.
Studies on healthy selfishness support that individuals who act in accordance with their own needs experience less frustration and find greater inner peace. This also involves cultivating your inner voice to understand what you truly want to act with integrity, even if your actions don't align with what others expect.
What’s one thing you can do today, or within the next week, that honors yourself and sends a message to the world that says, I am a self-led legend?
As always, I encourage you to write these things down. It breathes life into what was once an idea and puts it in reach. Go for it.
Alex Mathers is a writer and coach who helps you build a money-making personal brand with your knowledge and skills while staying mentally resilient. He's the author of the Mastery Den newsletter, which helps people triple their productivity.
