In the previous post...
In the prologue post about Go Rogue, I used a quote from Plato that is, in many ways, the foundation for the idea behind this series: "An unexamined life is not worth living."In this post...
In this post, I refer back to Plato's teacher, whose teaching formed that thinking. Socrates wrote, and I think this is a fitting starting point for us: "Know thyself".In today's ever-increasingly complicated world, there is a very real value that focus and simplicity bring. But none of that focus or simplicity can come about without this element, because those emanate from you, your thinking, your plans. And yet, that can't begin until you know who you are and what you want out of life.
But it has to start somewhere.
When you get in your car and use GPS to get to your location, the device has to know two things: where you want to go, and just as importantly, where you are starting. You don't put in a random location. In the same way, you have to know where want to go in life.So let's break it down.
As the title suggests, the main question for you is this: what is the most important thing to you? Be specific....force yourself to be specific. Is it love? It is accumulation of wealth? Is it travel? Is it seeking God? Is it your family? Is it your job? Define it, right here and right now. Have it in mind. Write it down.Where the rubber meets the road...
Are you sitting down? I'd suggest you do, because I'm going to ask the hard questions now. Ready?Where's the proof of that statement? Is it reflected in the rest of your life? Is it reflected in what you do and say? Is it reflected in how you spend your money and your time? For example, if your family is the most important, is that shown in the time you spend with them, and the things you do with them, or are you working 60, 70, 80 hours a week and trying to convince yourself that they are the most important? {As an aside, we humans are really good at rationalizing almost anything. But be real about this.}
Confront yourself. Be truthful. If what you are focused on isn't what you want to be focused on, let's make some changes.
Start with defining what is truly the most important thing for you. We'll build on that foundation in the coming weeks. I'd love to hear your responses in the comments!
(And yes, this post is short and sweet...but don't confuse that with its importance!)