We live in a world of labels and because of that we tend to get attached to the labels society or ourselves stick onto the fabric of our minds and souls.

Consider this example: you are a Director of Sales (or <Insert job title here>) in a company and you have been laid off.

A lot of your identity and self-worth revolved around your proud and shiny label (aka your job title) so naturally you will feel sad or depressed when you lose that identity.

Or you want to become a prolific digital writer earning 6-7 figures f**k-you-all-money.

You work hard and when you don't see the monetary results you want, you get depressed or you give up. That's because you tend to associate your self-worth and identity with your results.

But what if I told you there is a way to find fulfilment or even attracting success without attachment to labels or outcomes?

If you stick here for a bit longer, I would like to share with you 3 timeless lessons of wisdom from Miyamoto Musashi, a Samurai who lived during the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

Wait, who's this Miyamoto guy ? I am glad you asked.

He was a Ronin (yea, like in the 47 Ronin movie featuring the oh-so-dear Keanu Reaves). This means he was a masterless Samurai without noble sponsorship, in a nutshell.

He wrote several texts, including the famous "A Book of Five Rings," which focuses on strategy, adaptability, and open-mindedness in the face of change or obstacles. His writings also cover conflict, discipline, and personal growth.

Ok, Lexy, now get to the point, what are his teachings?

Lesson 1 : "Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world"

If you think lightly of yourself, you will be freed from the burden of self-imposed labels and the pressure of specific outcomes. In translation:

Don't let your job title be your entire personality. You are more than your job;
Don't let your desire for more followers on social media consume you mentally. Your self worth does not have to do with the number of followers you have;
Don't let material possessions define your value. You are more than what you own. Capishe?

Instead, by thinking deeply of the world, you will broaden your perspective, allowing you to see the bigger picture, understand your place within it, and approach life with a sense of curiosity and openness.

Lesson 2: "Fixation is the way to death. Fluidity is the way to life"

In other words, don't be fanatically attached to specific results (e.g. a promotion at work) or identities (the 7-figure writer) as this can stifle your growth and lead to disappointment.

Good things come to those who don't push things too hard.

For example, in my current job, a year and a half ago, there was an opportunity for a new position in the leadership team. Naturally everyone wanted it and applied. But the leadership team came to me and offered me the position as my results spoke for myself.

I have worked hard but I was not attached to the outcomes and hence I attracted the position into my life, subconsciously or not. I was focused on the journey and getting damn good at it.

Similarly, as a side-hustler, my best results came from the place where I had the least amount of expectations or attachment to results: my Pinterest account. Not my Medium account where I religiously check my stats and hustle hard.

So, be like water, let go of rigid expectations and self-imposed labels. Flow with flexibility. The results might surprise you.

Lesson 3: Embrace Impermanence To Accept Change

Accepting constant and inevitable change helps in letting go of attachment to outcomes or labels.

Accept that jobs come and go;
Accept that social media algorithms change and if you do not resonate with them, change the platform;
Accept that if you want to be a successful writer, sometimes you might need to change course, try new routes and re-invent yourself.

Change is basically the only constant in our lives and you'd better embrace it, rather than flow against the current.

Whatever your determination or will power, it is foolish to try to change the nature of things. Things work the way they do because that is the way of things.
Musashi Miyamoto

3 Thought-Provoking Lessons from a Samurai to Free You from Outcome Attachment

Timeless Insights from the "Book of Five Rings" to help you detach from outcomes and labels. Be labelless :)

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