I was watching an interview yesterday where Jordan Peterson was asked by a member in the audience how one can improve the quality of their life. In her view, Peterson's approach (as stated in his book, "The Rules of Life") is far too simplistic when compared to the complexities of life.
She highlighted how much of life is out of our control and that I pondered over this late into the night. Life is difficult, I agree. Life is far too intricate and there are so many factors we cannot fully grasp, which makes things even difficult for many of us to navigate through it. Often it feels like walking in the dark in a place where we aren't familiar with.
Then I ask myself: why complicate things then? If life is indeed difficult and out of your control, then why do anything? Well, for most people it is a choice (a very simplistic choice) between life or death. Most people would rather try (live) finding purpose or meaning to their lives, than commit suicide.
Now for those who want to try, the next question is: why try to change the things (you feel) that are beyond your control? Well, some argue that they do so for the same reason they chose to be alive--to try at least. But when you consider that some aspects of a person's life can be controlled and are predictable in the long or short term then you ask: why not do these things?
Why not put your house in order? The house in this case refers to your life and the things in your life that you have some grasp over. For example your health, relationship, education, etc these are things you can actively work towards to improve the quality of your life and your immediate community.
It is impossible to change the world when you're yet to change the condition that is within yourself. Most people aim for lofty goals because deep down no one will ever fault them for failing. They can lie to themselves that they were bound to fail anyway and that the effort is all that matters.
The effort is not the result. I wrote about this in a previous post. I explained that the fact that you're trying doesn't excuse failure and mediocrity. Once a person gets out of that mindset they tend to be result-oriented rather than recognition-seekers.
So the message today: do not overcomplicate your life. Life is complicated but that's no excuse to complicate yours. Find the basic part of your life to improve and work your way up from there. You find out that as time goes on more responsibility is allotted to you and you tend to have a larger bearing in life to influence the world around you and bring about the changes you want.