Kevin Bemel ·
Syncing Your Worldview and Life Direction
Are people wired for goodness or is the human condition a struggle between good and evil? Should people be free to make decisions about their owns lives even if that means they may hurt themselves and be uncomfortable or should their options be limited so that the chances they will experience pain are reduced? Is someone who cut you off in traffic rude and stupid or did he make a mistake?
Your worldview is informed by how you answer these and similar "big issue" questions. And your worldview in large part determines the progress you will make in your life.
I have a friend who looks at almost everything in life as being black or white. A thing is good or bad, no middle ground or neutrality. Not long ago he remarked to me that despite numerous attempts he has been unable to sustain an exercise program. I suggested that instead of immediately embarking on a three or four day a week schedule that he start one day a week for just 15 or 20 minutes. He replied he did not think that was worthwhile since something that trivial would not really impact his life.
So because such a small amount of exercise would not really change the state of his fitness he saw no point in starting the journey. Aside from the habit creation that comes from easing into a practice, it is healthier for the body to take it slowly when beginning a regimen of exercise. But his world-view prevented him from changing no matter how sensible a course of action.
When I first started in business my world-view impaired my progress. I thought all wealthy people had cheated or stolen to get their money. But they were the ones I needed as clients. Like me, when you are faced with such a dilemma, you have two choices:
Chart a new course consistent with your worldview
or
Change your worldview
If you find yourself perpetually hitting a roadblock, it is time to examine how you view life. Find a quiet place where you will not be interrupted and do the following:
1. Here are seven questions for understanding your worldview:
1.1. Do you believe there is something beyond this life, a supernatural world or something of that nature?
1.2. How did the material world come to exist?
1.3. What is a human being?
1.4. What is the purpose of life?
1.5. What happens to you after you die?
1.6. Is there such a thing as the truth?
1.7. How do you know the difference between right and wrong?
2. Without any analysis or time for internal arguing write down your answers. You want your candid thoughts not what you might tell a pollster so you would not be embarrassed.
3. Analyze your answers. What do they say about how you view life? Look at the questions at the beginning of this post. Frame your assessment like you would answers to those questions, for example, "I think most issues in life are in the grey areas not black or white."
Here is the hard part. Consider how your worldview is impacting where you want to go in life. For example, if you are in sales but you think life is essentially black or white you are probably missing out on opportunities and interpreting every missed sale as a failure rather than a lesson in how to be more effective next time.
Because it works under the radar of your consciousness,
Your worldview determines your life
even though most of the time you do not know it is having any impact at all.
When you become aware of your worldview and consistently see yourself through its lens you will be living intentionally, make more progress toward your goals, and feel happier and more satisfied with life.
Do you know someone whose worldview is preventing him from making needed change? How have you helped?
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