“I  f you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperilled in a hundred battles.” - Sun Tze

It is indeed imperative to know yourself better so that aspiring scholars like you can stay focused in the long run.

The importance of knowing yourself

While money is important, true motivation comes from genuine passion and interest. The saying, “do what you love, and you don’t have to work a day in your life” may be rather hackneyed but there is a lot of truth behind it.

For instance, you’re a people person and a social butterfly, but you are working in a siloed environment, on your own. Chances are, you’ll lose interest in your job and even your career in the long run. 

Which is why it is important to identify your strengths before considering a particular scholarship. Spending time to discover who you really are will set you up for long-term fulfilment.

How to do it?

One simple way to understand yourself better is to note down your values and strengths. Recall the things that you feel strongly about and identify the tasks that you are good at. Also, think about the times when a particular event or project drove you to do better intrinsically. You may want to get the help of your family and friends for this exercise.

Or, try the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. It is an extensive personality test that reveals your perceptions of the world around you. While there are many free tests on the Internet, you may want to engage a professional assessor to get better results.

Some people also swear by astrology readings and bazi analysis. Ultimately, you must try to make an effort to understand yourself better.

Big Reward: No Burnouts

Burnouts happen when one is disengaged with his job scope and, or severely overworked. This typically leads to underperformance, negativity and frequent job-hopping. When it comes to scholars, burnouts can lead to bond breaking, which is emotionally and financially draining.

Most definitely, this can be prevented by shortlisting scholarships that coincide with your strengths and interests. Never jump into a scholarship because it offers the shortest bond or the most money. Be like Sun Tze, and win a hundred battles.