In my last post I covered the 5 problems I feel holds us back in the environment component. Here is an overview of the problems discussed:
- The effect an unsupportive family has on your self-esteem.
- The difficulty in finding the ‘right people’ to engage with on a personal level.
- How the type of information you consume sways your mindset and thinking process.
- Why young people in particular succumb to the idea that looks, money and rank is everything.
- An outline of our treatment towards the world and its natural resources.
Today I’m continuing the series, now moving onto the top 5 problems I believe inhibits eternal success in our work life, from a balanced life perspective.
Choosing A Career
One of the most difficult problems to solve in the work life component of a balanced life. Why is it so difficulty for people both young and old to figure out ‘their calling’ or what they would describe as their dream job? Well there are a variety of reasons, but the main one would probably be the limiting beliefs our parents and other authorities of life have infused upon us.
So what are these limiting beliefs? Statements such as, “you can’t make money being an artist/writer/creative, get a real job.”. “Who will give you a job if you study ‘The Arts’”, and a host of other dribble.
Our parents make us repeat the cycle; well at least they tried to. Apparently what they suggest is the path you should take, and if you follow it, you will become successful. However, this is a completely false ideology. There are no guarantees in life and most importantly, there is not one road that leads to success.
Define Your Own Success
Children should be encouraged to question every belief set by their predecessors. Why? Because only by thinking differently will the world move forward – only by believing differently will you be able to progress. If everyone thought similarly to the way people did back in the 1100′s – we would not have an integrated society, advances in technology and education or have discovered new species and ideas in order to improve medicine.
In my opinion, many parents push their children into fields and professions where they personally have failed to get into, let alone achieve at. This is not the definition of autonomy or balance. It is the inhibition of a child’s future and creative potential, the true form of regression and ignition towards the safety net that is social conformation. – David Johnson Oragui
Failing To Define What Life and Work Means To Us
People are confused. Looking for the answer to all their troubles and woes. Is there some higher being? What are we here for? What is our purpose? None of these answers matter in the grand scheme of things. What does matter however, is figuring out what life means to you, personally. In other words, discovering the true purpose of your existence, or giving yourself your own point in life.
Secondly, people are also perplexed about what constitutes as ‘work’. Is it something where you slave out your life for a pay-check, or is it a service of value that of which you provide to customers you care about – a community of people who love you purely for what you do?
Does your work provide you with pleasure, keeping you engaged whilst constantly conveying to you it has meaning? For some of you, work is fun purely because it fulfils the 3 components of the happiness equation – you feel so happy that you longer even consider it work. For me, this is the true meaning of work.
Disregarding Our Health For Money – Only to use that money for our health later
That is insane. I will never work at the expense of my own physical and mental health for money, unless I had starving children that needed feeding. I have no idea what I’d do with the money anyways. Regardless I won’t harm myself to earn more. For me it is not necessary. Though I can clearly see the attraction.
This problem is coupled with the situation where people accept working in unhealthy environments, simply if the pay is good. Whether this is to do with the people or the apparatus around me – I would keep my options open and look for something else that has the right feel and atmosphere.
Being A Dodgy Business Owner
Finally, this is just one of my personal pet peeves. I have no idea how this contributes towards a problem of the balanced life suite of ideas, however this just annoys me.
Just because you’re a business owner and you’re competing with other companies, doesn’t mean you have to use dodgy methods in order to succeed.
I’m mainly referring to the world of online businesses and internet marketing, where marketers use black hat SEO in order to get ahead.
Maybe I’m jealous. Lol, not really. Building your business ethically and with transparency, whilst over-delivering for your customers needs will undoubtedly bring in more sales. This is simply because your ‘community’ – the people who understand you and the nature of your work unequivocally, will promote you simply through word of mouth. That much, is powerful as it is
