As we age, the world expects us to have a fixed idea about our philosophy of life. In a world that is always trying to mould you into its grip, creating values that are unique to ourselves and what we believe in with all our heart, can at times be difficult. To make things worse, we are surrounded by endless ‘formulas' about how to become the next Bill Gates or somebody else that is respected and revered.
What about if you want to become your own person? What if you're going to define success on your terms and not be twisted into society's views? What if contentment for you is living a frugal lifestyle with the one you love while enjoying nature’s wonders? Or what if it is to spend time with your children and do your best to create a good future for them? We all have different values, so creating your philosophy in life is one strategy that will ensure you get where YOU want to go.
Creating your philosophy in life is a great idea, especially that you are older. Why? Look back just ten years ago and think about what was important to you back then. Chances are, you have changed drastically. The older we get, the more self-aware we become. When we learn from our mistakes, we develop new values that will guide us in the future.
So how do you create a personal philosophy in life? Remember that this philosophy is especially for you. It is your own map that will guide you through life. Other people don't have to understand it or agree with it because it is yours and yours alone. Here are some simple steps you can take to create your philosophy in life.
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Analyze your Values
Having clear in your mind what you value in your life is like creating a compass that will always point North. Without a clear idea of what you value, you will be like a ship without a sail, pulled here and there by other people’s standards.
Start by listing only three things you value highly and will not negotiate. Make sure that you don't contain too many, or else your priorities won't be priorities any longer. Your values can be simple, one-word adjectives such as kindness, happiness, honesty, faith, adventure, authenticity, and so on. To help you narrow down your list, think about things that you refuse to violate because they represent who you are as a person.
Once you have three core values in place, all you have to do is weigh any decision against these values. If doing something will violate any of the three, then you know what to do. Throughout your life, endeavor to make decisions that never violate who you are as an individual but on the contrary, align with your individuality.
Analyze your Habits
Habits can have more far-reaching effects than you can imagine, so take them seriously. It is not enough to take a closer look at your habits and accept them for what they are. To create the right philosophy in life, you need to develop new patterns that will guide you to a better future. Habits not only take time but use energy and affect productivity.
Creating healthy habits is a conscious decision that starts with seemingly small, insignificant things such as waking up an hour earlier or reading a book instead of watching T.V. In time, these habits will become a part of you so do your best to create smart habits.
Analyze your Mindset
Do you believe that your circumstances play a significant role in who and where you are at the moment? Or are you the kind of person who knows how to make the best of any circumstance? Your mindset can play a huge role in how you view the world and how you go about life. If you detect that you tend to think things are out of your control and there is nothing you can do about it, it's time for a change.
Successful people have a growth mindset that is built on the belief that your effort is the main factor in success. Believing in yourself and the power you have is the third step to creating a personal philosophy in life. Try and slowly change your mindset from fixed to flexible. With practice, you will find that whatever circumstances come your way, you know how to adjust your sails and sail in the storm.
Know your Limitations
Understanding when enough is enough and what you will not tolerate is a vital aspect of creating your philosophy in life. Take time to think about what behaviors you will not tolerate in a relationship, what treatment you will not accept from an employer, and what injustice you will not condone from society.
Once you have listed these limitations, you have a basis to know when to speak up, when to confront someone or when to have your voice heard. Such restrictions will help you be happy with your life and will ensure you don't allow yourself to be in abusive relationships.
Stay on Track
It is one thing to create a personal philosophy in life but is another to stick to one. Throughout your life, you will be faced with situations that will put your philosophy to the test. From pleasures to pressure to money, you will need a strategy to stick to your values no matter what.
A simple way to avoid getting sidetracked is to focus less on everyone else and more on your life. Instead of being affected by what everyone else is doing, think about how you are living your life in accord with what you believe in. Don't let other's ideas define who you are but define yourself by how closely you are following your philosophy.
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Benefits of Creating a Philosophy in Life
Creating your philosophy in life doesn't mean changing who you are. On the contrary, it means discovering the real you that has been hidden and silenced by society's norms. Once you create this philosophy, you will enjoy many benefits:
A new sense of clarity
You will know what challenges you likely will face and how you can deal with them. Your life will have a new direction and each day will bring new opportunities to take you closer to your goal. You will have a clearer idea of where you are and where you are going.
A more unobstructed view of life will affect how you treasure the relationships you have in your life. You will do all you can to nurture family ties and maintain a strong bond with your relatives because you have decided that they are essential to you.
A new perspective in decision making
With values manifest in your mind, you will be more mindful of the decisions you make every day. You will realize that you are where you are today because of the choices you made yesterday and where you will be tomorrow depends on what you decide today.
You will view every decision as a chance to take you closer to your goal. You will never do anything that violates your values and will enjoy a good conscience throughout your life.
A sense of purpose
People who have discovered their personal philosophies in life feel a unique sense of peace and understanding about life. Famous author Robert Byrne once said, "The purpose of life is a life of purpose." Defining your end goal clears the way for a life of direction and clarity.
A sense of purpose gives you something to live for and saves you from adopting a casual view towards life. You will be able to do things that make you happy and feed your soul all because you value these things.
No matter what challenges may come your way, a compelling purpose in life will give you extraordinary power to push through any trial. If you know WHY you live, you will be equipped to combat any HOW that comes your way.
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Conclusion
Putting into writing your philosophy in life is something you won't regret. As years pass by, you may need to change some of your values because of new things learned or experiences. Still, you will never lose your way. Discovering who you are can be one of the most fulfilling experiences you experience and creating your philosophy is the first step to self-discovery.
It’s never too late to sit down and put together a set of principles to live by. Start by analyzing your values and selecting three values that you can't live without. Next, take a closer look at your habits and start making a conscious effort to develop smart habits that will help you in the long run. Third, get the right mindset that can adapt to any circumstance. Then, know your limitations or the things that you won't tolerate in your relationships and finally, stay on track.
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