Your choices
How will you measure your life? #AtomicIdeas
Imagine this: You are in your 80s.
Now, look back at your life and answer this.
If you answered ‘No way’, congrats! Otherwise, welcome to the gang :)
The one way to avoid regrets is..by asking oneself: how will I measure my life in my 80s? Great health, but a lot of loneliness? Happy, but poor?
There are no right or wrong answers here - just choices.
The choices you make, and the priorities you set, will shape the quality of your life.
One book that has helped me put a lot of perspectives (and priorities) straight is ‘How will you measure your life’ by (Late) Prof Clayton Christensen (am an ardent fan of his work).
It's easier to hold your principles 100 percent of the time than it is to hold them 98 percent of the time.
Without further ado, sharing 5 core ideas from the book.
The Importance of Purpose
Finding Your North Star
Finding your sense of purpose is essential for your personal fulfillment and also guides your decision-making and the course of your life.
"It's easier to hold your principles 100 percent of the time than it is to hold them 98 percent of the time."
To find your purpose, you need to explore your passions, talents, and values.
A clear sense of purpose can provide direction, motivation, and meaning, and it can also help you prioritize your goals and actions.
Don't Let Work Consume Your Life
Sacrificing your personal life for the sake of your career is not worth it. It's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of success and forget about the other aspects of your life.
"In your life, there are going to be constant demands for your time and attention. How are you going to decide which of those demands gets resources? The trap many people fall into is to allocate their time to whoever screams loudest, and their talent to whatever offers them the fastest reward. That’s a dangerous way to build a strategy.
You need to set boundaries and prioritize your time and energy to avoid burnout and maintain healthy relationships. Balancing work and life is not a one-time decision; it's a continuous process that requires intentionality and self-awareness.
Relationships Matter More Than Anything
Your relationships are one of the most critical factors for your happiness and well-being. You need to invest in building and maintaining strong, supportive relationships with your partner, family, and friends.
Building positive relationships takes effort and time, but it's worth it in the long run.
Trust Is the Cornerstone of Great Relationships
Trust is crucial for building strong, healthy relationships. You need to be trustworthy and also trust others.
Trust takes time to build, but it can be quickly destroyed. You can build a culture of trust by being honest, keeping your promises, and admitting your mistakes. When there's trust, you can have open communication, collaborate effectively, and support each other.
Embrace Challenges and Learn from Failure
Having a growth mindset is essential for personal growth and success. You need to embrace challenges, take risks, and learn from your failures.
You can talk all you want about having a clear purpose and strategy for your life, but ultimately this means nothing if you are not investing the resources you have in a way that is consistent with your strategy. In the end, a strategy is nothing but good intentions unless it’s effectively implemented.
A growth mindset means that you believe in your ability to improve and develop your skills and knowledge.
Happy living a great life (and weekend)!
-ashish.
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