Life was more predictable and certain in the 20th Century. Institutions were trusted, stable and almost beyond scrutiny. Follow the system laid down for us with enthusiasm and hard work and success would almost be assured. The 21st century is unpredictable, uncertain and there are few paths (if any) that are guaranteed... everything is being questioned and up for change.
In an uncertain world we need different skills. We need to be agile, resilient and resourceful... to create what works for us... our own way.... so what does that look like?
Successful innovators, entrepreneurs, adventurers tend to be good at finding their own way.
If we practice the three skills below, we are more likely to find our own way to a place that works for ourselves and others…
We don't always follow a path laid down by others. We don't always rely on others to discipline us. One way to be a kind, loving, caring person, as we find our own way is to develop the self discipline to practice the 6 habits that follow.
Disciplining ourselves to practice the habits is one way to help ourselves to be kind to ourselves and others... as we find our own way.
Habit 1: Tell others what to do only if they have asked us to do so. (We try to avoid assuming others will always want to know what we think)
Habit 2: Recognise when others say stop, and stop. (We try to avoid finding ways to increase the pressure to make others do as we say).
Habit 3: When things are not going our way, we try to ask ourselves, what have we missed? (We try to avoid thinking we need to keep going ignoring what others say.)
Habit 4: We try to make choices to minimise the spread of badwill to ourselves and others. (We try to avoid giving more badwill back)
Habit 5: When things go wrong, we try to make choices to nudge ourselves to a better place where we feel less of a victim. (We try to avoid blaming others)
Habit 6: We try to make choices to give goodwill to ourselves and others. (We try to avoid always thinking, the greater good is always more important than our own self)