By Bhumika Ramesh
When you design your life, you control most of its aspects. You are the architect, designing the blueprint and how to lay the tiles on the paths you’re gonna walk on. Society deems that we find our one true calling when we’re young and tell us to stick with that for the rest of our lives. It need not be so. As you’re in the process of discovering new passions and scratching the surface of various fields, you might find something which perfectly fits like a puzzle piece. When you take control of paving the way forward, you construct a satisfied and happy lifestyle. The points highlighted in this article can help you make your decision.
Getting Clear
When you begin to lay out the foundation, get clear on what you need and what you don’t. Creating a life that follows your dreams and ambitions requires removing unnecessary relationships and objects. You are the core of the skyscraper you’re constructing. Never lose focus of that. Keep your desires and passions in mind as you de-clutter.
Gravity Problems
This refers to problems you can’t do anything about – they just exist, just like gravity. Reframing is important here – seeing it as a circumstance and not a problem does simplify your course of action. Focus on the parts where action matters. For example, consider an individual who seems to always go down the path of belittling themselves. Instead of seeing the person as the problem, try to find out the causes and situations which contribute to it. Gravity problems, therefore, revolve around action-focused events and not core-focused events.
Start Now
The old notion of sticking with your career, no matter what happens, is fading. It’s better to start now and embark on the journey – as the old Japanese proverb goes, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” Don’t believe in ‘should’s’ and ‘must’s’. Believe in ‘can’.
There is No One ‘Best’ Version of Yourself
Multiple versions of you can exist and all of them lead to great destinations. You don’t need to sit down and execute plans to make the current version of yourself the best. Research other alternatives and compare them with your long-term goals. Oprah Winfrey today is drastically different from the person she was in her 30s. Design for what’s next in your life, not the entirety of it.
Don’t Leap. Jump with a Parachute.
Test the path you choose before you commit to it. Assuming you would enjoy it is the wrong mindset to employ. Research for a few weeks, talk to people who know the field inside out and discover opportunities for experience before you leap. Fail fast and fail forward is a great strategy.
We have the potential to create great things. And I believe your life can be included in that list. Start sketching out your blueprint today.
To know more about this process, look up the ‘Designing your Work Life’ book here.
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