Knowing yourself is something most people don't make a priority.  In order to change, meet long range goals, develop into the person that you want to become you have to take inventory.   It is important to spend time with yourself so you can examine "Who am I?" this can be accomplished by just being present in your day.  As you walk through a normal day, ask yourself, "Why do I do the things I do?"  and this will help you find some of your core beliefs or "shoulds".  Understanding you takes honesty.  If you lie to yourself, you are the only one you are hurting.  Being transparent with yourself, exposing your strengths and weaknesses, will allow you to set goals to gain momentum towards your long range goals.  Everyone has flaws and shortcomings - but no one else is YOU.   In fact, some of my biggest flaws have become my greatest strengths because I worked on gaining awareness and moved towards change.  

Being YOU is a privilege and a completely unique experience.  Embrace it.  The sooner you love you for YOU, the sooner you will find happiness.  Happy is not a destination, it is a feeling about where you are right now.  It is ever changing and always within reach.  

YOU CREATE IT!