We meander through our days collecting stuff — and we build a life with our collection. Rarely do we consider whether or not it all fits together properly. This manifesto serves to show how some things must be discarded in order to build your best life.
This post is the first part of Jeff Goins’ Blog Like a Pro: 7-Day Challenge. I do not know what the rest of this challenge will bring, but I have to say that writing and publishing this in less than 24 hours was very difficult. It’s also quite short because I find that writing is like building — sometimes too many words can wreck the whole thing.
Building a Life – A Manifesto
Building is a funny thing. You would think that it’s simply a matter of adding components until the project is complete. Yet there is an important part of the building process that involves removing pieces. Initial forms and supports, while critical to ensuring a structure is solid and straight, must be removed in order for the building to function properly.
Life is the same. We meander through our days collecting stuff – beliefs about others and ourselves, physical items, etc. – and we build a life with our collection. Rarely do we consider whether or not it all fits together properly.
The truth is that a building with too many parts will fail. Likewise, a life with too much mental and physical baggage will overwhelm and stifle us. What was once important to keeping our life together may eventually need to be discarded in order to keep our basic self-structure intact.
But we fear change and we fear to let go. We think if we discard a belief or something more tangible that our life will fall apart. Choose – right now – to examine what is important in your life and let go of the rest.
What we need to remember:
- Treat one another with kindness.
- Understand that you are valuable simply by being YOU.
- Never count on others to provide your sense of self-worth.
- Realize it’s okay to not follow the crowd – as long as you are not causing harm.
- Think for yourself.
- Ask the hard questions, and allow yourself to find the answers.
- Always learn new things.
- Keep an open mind.
- The things you’ve always known may not always be true.
What we need to learn to live without:
- Judgement.
- Self-doubt.
- Fear.
- Attachment to material possessions.
Do the scary things. Whether it’s writing a book, learning a new skill, moving to a new location, beginning a new career, regaining control of your life, saying “no” – or maybe “yes.”
It will not be easy. However, it will be the most important thing you ever do. More important than being a good spouse. More important than being a good parent. More important than being a good “whatever.” Because you cannot be any of those things if you are not your best YOU – free of restrictions imposed by your mind and your surroundings.
Educate yourself, and take action.
Build Your Best Life.
Related post: Stop Thinking and Start Doing: A Goal Setting Starter Plan
“Building a Life – A Manifesto” is available for FREE download in a prettier PDF version. You can sign up below to subscribe and receive the printable PDF.
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