"Why is more important than What"...Simon Sinek
Many of
us become discontented with life for different reasons (most are beyond are our control)...Neighbour who
got a new bigger car, Toxic boss ,Tough customer , Traffic snarl...and the list
is endless. I am not immune to discontentment, but there is no doubt that we need
to "vaccinate" our self against day-today discontentment. Otherwise,
Life is definitely going to wear us out...
I am
going to do some diagnosis here ...In the Modern life we live too much in the
"present"...we are like the fireman holding the hose on what is going to "blow-up" and
fire-fight ,before moving to address the next fire. We never get to determine
what is causing the fire so intermittently. At some point , in the
"busy"ness of doing things we lose the connection to the Purpose.We
are focussed on what needs to get done today rather than asking "Why I am doing the particular activity?" .
We are busy navigating the boat for the next
wave without looking at the beacon. According to me, the antidote to
disenchantment is to find out why are we doing the things we are doing. As
David Allen explains in the book "Making It all work" you got to determine
the Purpose of your Life and the Principles that you want to live by...Huh !!!
Do not worry... David Allen helps us to define this at different perspective
levels...You got to choose the one you are comfortable with, the higher the perspective
the better...
At the
runway : This is the "Present"...this
is where actions happen ; you got to pack your day with activities that link
your life to the purpose...For ex., if you want to watch that IPL match today, think
again...you may do not want to do that unless your life's purpose is to become an IPL franchisee someday !...Focus
on things that connect you to a higher purpose
10000
feet : This is your life looking
3-5 year ahead ; you got to define some specific projects for your life. For
example, if your objective is lead a debt-free life, a project would be to close-off a loan before its
tenure...
20000
feet :At this level you define
the Areas of Focus and responsibility...For example, What areas are important
to you ....Work or Family, Adventure or Routine, Work for someone or to be on your
own....
30000
feet : "How are you going
to making a dent on this world?" If you do not know please start thinking
about it...Great Accomplishments happen at this level and sooner you find the
better.The greatness of Sachin Tendulkar is not due to his cover drive...rather in his
uncanny ability to decide when he was aged 13 or 14 that all he wants to puruse is
Cricket...
50000
feet : This is your personal
Vision statement...What is the Purpose of your life? Why are you here? ....I
know I am entering into the realm of Lord Buddha who says ..."You real
work is to find your Work"...I am not sure if I can do that.
Nevertheless ...Use the perspectives as a beacon
to guide your Life's boat in the right direction battling against the ceaseless
daily waves. At the very least, the daily pricks will no longer disenchant you
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