Tag: personal values

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Drop the FEAR and Focus on the FAITH Drop the ME and focus on the OTHERS Guiding Lights: A Journey of Courage, Compassion and Faith Self-Improve Small Businesses Workforce Development

Time Management: Crafting Life According to What Truly Matters

In the intricacies of the modern world, the art of time management emerges not merely as a skill but as the cornerstone of a purposeful life. The tick of the clock is neutral; however, our priorities dictate its value. This sentiment is perfectly embodied by Di Tran, acclaimed author of books such as “Drop the ME and focus on the OTHERS.”

For many, success is a nebulous term, a destination that keeps shifting with the tides of time and experience. Yet, for some like Tran, success is intricately woven with personal values, aspirations, and the impact they wish to imprint on the world. Tran’s life exemplifies how, when we understand what is paramount to us, we can masterfully sculpt our hours, minutes, and seconds to resonate with those convictions.

For Tran, two pillars stand tall: his burgeoning series of small businesses and the warm embrace of his family, particularly his young children. His businesses aren’t merely sources of income; they are extensions of his mission to add value to life, to craft something bigger than himself. This isn’t the capitalist drive of incessant growth, but a purpose-driven pursuit, an avenue where work aligns seamlessly with life satisfaction.

Parallelly, his family stands as his sanctuary, a space of unconditional love and grounding amidst the whirlwind of entrepreneurial ventures. The balance between these two pillars might seem daunting, but with keen time management and a clear vision, Tran makes it look effortless.

But life, as Tran shows, isn’t just about work and family. The niches of time that remain are dedicated to his passions. A voracious reader, a devout podcast listener, and an author, Tran believes in the perpetual cycle of learning and imparting. His books are not mere compilations of words but vessels carrying wisdom, experiences, and insights aimed at enriching lives.

Furthermore, Tran’s emphasis on surrounding himself with individuals he can glean knowledge from underscores another dimension of his time management prowess. By consciously choosing to spend time with his ‘passive mentors’, often elders brimming with life’s lessons, Tran showcases an understanding that time’s value is often determined by the quality of interactions and not just the quantity.

In essence, Di Tran’s life is a testament to the transformative power of time management when it’s aligned with one’s core values and priorities. It reminds us that the true essence of time isn’t in its fleeting nature, but in our ability to harness it, channeling it towards what brings meaning, growth, and joy in our lives.

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Finding Fulfillment Through Action: The True Measure of a Life Well-Lived

We live in a world where material wealth, social status, and professional achievements are often considered as the ultimate measures of success. However, as one nears the end of life, these accomplishments may seem less significant. The true measure of a life well-lived becomes evident through the actions taken, the values upheld, and the contributions made to the lives of others and the community. This article explores the importance of these aspects in defining our legacy and finding fulfillment in life.

The Human Quest for Meaning

According to renowned psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, author of the seminal work “Man’s Search for Meaning,” humans have an innate drive to find purpose and meaning in their lives. Frankl, who was a Holocaust survivor, observed that those who could find a sense of purpose amidst the harshest of conditions were more likely to survive and find fulfillment. He argued that fulfillment comes not from possessions or knowledge, but through meaningful actions and relationships.

Beyond Possessions and Knowledge: A Focus on Actions

Bronnie Ware, an Australian nurse who spent several years caring for patients in the last 12 weeks of their lives, recorded the most common regrets of the dying in her book “The Top Five Regrets of the Dying.” One of the prevalent themes is the realization that happiness is a choice, and it’s not about material wealth. People wished they had had the courage to live a life true to themselves and had let themselves be happier. It’s not what we have or know, but what we do with what we have that truly counts.

Professor Clayton M. Christensen of Harvard Business School explored this concept in his book “How Will You Measure Your Life?”. Christensen emphasizes that focusing on what we can give rather than what we can get is critical in creating a meaningful life. He advocates for a life that reflects one’s core values and leads to the enriching of the lives of others.

The Lasting Value of Contributions

The impact that one’s actions and creations can have on the community and individuals is immeasurable. When you focus on creating value through service, you leave behind a legacy that will continue to benefit society long after you are gone.

In his essay “The Servant as Leader,” Robert K. Greenleaf discusses the servant leadership model. According to him, a true leader primarily serves, focusing on the growth and well-being of communities and the people within them. He believed that the essence of leadership is in serving others and making a positive difference in their lives.

Creating a Culture of Value Creation

By understanding the importance of action and value creation, individuals can work to cultivate communities that prioritize these aspects. Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in his book “Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience” explains that when individuals engage in activities that align with their values and contribute to something greater than themselves, they experience flow – a state of deep engagement and fulfillment.

Conclusion

As one reflects on their life in its final moments, the legacy left behind is not defined by material possessions, status, or knowledge, but by the actions taken and the values lived by. Through service, contribution, and creation, one can find fulfillment and ensure that their life’s work continues to enrich the lives of others and the community for generations to come. Reflecting on the works of Viktor Frankl, Bronnie Ware, Clayton M. Christensen, Robert K. Greenleaf, and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, it becomes evident that the true measure of a life well-lived is deeply intertwined with action, service, and the creation of lasting value.

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Community Drop the FEAR and Focus on the FAITH Drop the ME and focus on the OTHERS Leadership Development Workforce Development

Discovering the Super Self: Happiness from Within

In the modern world inundated with images of perfect lives and superhero personas, it is easy to forget that real contentment and happiness lie within our own selves. The pursuit of happiness, a fundamental human endeavor, has often been linked to external factors. However, various studies and ancient philosophies suggest that true happiness springs from within and is a choice that individuals can make for themselves.

The External Illusion

Social media is rife with people idolizing celebrities, superheroes, and successful individuals. People tend to create mental benchmarks based on these external ideals. In comic books and movies, superheroes are often depicted as beings possessing incredible abilities, fighting evil, and saving the world. However, it is essential to recognize that these characters are fictional and that real-life heroes and role models have their own set of challenges and imperfections.

Moreover, social comparison theory posits that individuals determine their own social and personal worth based on how they stack up against others. This comparison often leads to a sense of inadequacy and unhappiness (Festinger, 1954).

The Internal Wellspring

Contrary to the external locus of control, ancient philosophies like Stoicism and Buddhism have long propagated the belief that happiness is an internal state. Stoicism, for example, teaches that contentment comes from understanding and accepting the things we cannot control and focusing on our responses which we can control (Epictetus, Enchiridion).

Similarly, Buddhism believes that true happiness comes from within, through the understanding and cultivation of one’s mind and emotions (The Dhammapada).

Happiness as a Choice

Research in positive psychology also suggests that happiness is, to a significant extent, a choice that individuals can make. According to Lyubomirsky, Sheldon, and Schkade (2005), 40% of a person’s capacity for happiness is within their power to change through personal choices, including cultivating gratitude, practicing kindness, and nurturing relationships.

Being Your Own Superhero

Rather than striving to be like others, it is more fulfilling to become the best version of oneself – a “super self”. To accomplish this, individuals must recognize and harness their unique talents, accept their imperfections, and make choices that align with their values and passions.

Self-determination theory, developed by Deci and Ryan, highlights the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in achieving well-being and contentment. When individuals pursue goals that are deeply aligned with their values, they experience a higher sense of satisfaction and happiness (Deci & Ryan, 2000).

Conclusion

In the cacophony of modern life, it is easy to lose sight of where true happiness lies. While it is human nature to admire and idolize others, understanding that real contentment is an internal state and a choice can be liberating. By focusing on personal growth, accepting imperfections, and making choices that resonate with one’s values, individuals can unleash their “super self” and find enduring happiness from within.

References:

  1. Festinger, L. (1954). A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations, 7, 117-140.
  2. Epictetus. (c. 135 A.D.). Enchiridion.
  3. Lyubomirsky, S., Sheldon, K. M., & Schkade, D. (2005). Pursuing happiness: The architecture of sustainable change. Review of General Psychology, 9(2), 111–131.
  4. The Dhammapada. (c. 3rd century BCE).