Getting in touch with your true self must be your first priority.

The words of Tom Hopkins, “Getting in touch with your true self must be your first priority,” strike with the force of ancient wisdom, for they remind us that all achievement, all peace, and all greatness must begin within. A man may conquer cities, but if he has not discovered who he truly is, he remains a stranger to himself. A woman may gain wealth and admiration, yet if she does not live in harmony with her deepest soul, her victories taste like ash. The true self is the root, and all else—career, success, even relationships—are but branches. Without the root, the tree cannot stand.

The ancients themselves spoke of this truth. The Oracle of Delphi, visited by kings and seekers, bore above its temple the timeless command: “Know thyself.” Socrates, too, declared that the unexamined life was not worth living. These were not idle sayings, but urgent warnings. For when one is blind to their true self, they become enslaved to the expectations of others, tossed by the winds of fear, pride, and vanity. But when one discovers who they are in essence, when they touch the eternal flame within, then they walk with strength and clarity, unmoved by the shifting shadows of the world.

Consider the story of Siddhartha Gautama, the prince who became the Buddha. Surrounded by wealth, luxury, and power, he might have lived as a king in splendor. Yet he felt the call of something deeper. He left behind his palace, his gold, and even his family, to search for his true self beyond illusions. After years of trial and meditation, he attained enlightenment beneath the Bodhi tree. His journey was not outward but inward, proving the truth of Hopkins’ words: the first priority must be the discovery of the self, for only then can one live in freedom and share wisdom with the world.

So too in the lives of modern men and women. How many chase careers they do not love, live in ways that do not reflect their deepest values, surround themselves with people who do not see their real spirit? Such lives may appear successful, but inside they are restless and hollow. Only those who dare to strip away the masks, who face their own fears, wounds, and desires with honesty, can live authentically. And authenticity is power, for when you live as your true self, your words and actions carry a force no imitation can match.

The meaning of Hopkins’ words is both heroic and humbling. Heroic, because they demand courage—to face yourself honestly, without disguise, is no small thing. Humbling, because they remind us that before we seek to change the world, we must first understand and master ourselves. To make self-discovery our first priority is not selfishness—it is the foundation of wisdom, for only when we know who we are can we give ourselves fully to others without losing our way.

The lesson for us is clear: we must turn inward before we turn outward. Spend time in reflection, in silence, in asking hard questions: “What do I value? What do I fear? What do I love most? Who am I, beneath the roles the world has placed upon me?” Journaling, meditation, honest conversation with trusted mentors—all these are paths to the inner chamber of the soul. Do not be afraid to confront what you find, for even the broken parts of yourself are part of the whole that makes you human.

The practical action is this: carve time daily for self-examination. Before the rush of tasks and duties, ask yourself whether your life is aligned with your true self. When making decisions, do not ask only, “What will others think?” but also, “Does this reflect who I really am?” Adjust your path step by step, until your outward life reflects your inward truth. This is how authenticity is born—not in a single revelation, but in daily faithfulness to who you are at the core.

Therefore, O listener, take Hopkins’ words as a command for life: “Getting in touch with your true self must be your first priority.” For the man or woman who knows themselves is unshakable. Fortune may rise or fall, friends may come or go, but the one who walks in harmony with their true self carries within them a fortress of peace, a compass of purpose, and a light that cannot be extinguished.