There are many models for finding peace. This approach starts by having a positive attitude. It then involves focusing on a purpose, following your principles and finding peace.
Imagine that you want to follow this approach in your own way. Let’s assume that you have a positive attitude to your life or work. You may then want to focus on the following themes.
Purpose
People love to have a sense of purpose. Different people take this step in different ways.
Some people look within to develop a purpose. They may start by focusing on their life philosophy, passions or principles. They then translate these into working towards this picture of success.
Some people look outside themselves to develop a purpose. They may aim to solve a particular problem, achieve a certain position or gain a prize. They then do their best to achieve this outer goal.
Some people combine elements of both. They may align their personal philosophy to pursuing a spiritual path, vocation or mission. They translate this into achieving certain goals on their chosen path.
Looking ahead, can you think of something you would like to do that would mean focusing on a specific purpose? This could be something small or big.
It may be as simple as encouraging a person, running a workshop, renovating a house or doing another activity. It may involve doing something on a larger scale. You may aim to produce a book, make a film, invent a product, build a company or achieve a big goal.
How to develop such a project? One approach is to create or choose one where:
You can get positive energy – even when you think about it;
You can follow principles that you believe in;
You can work towards achieve a clear picture of success.
Imagine that you are focusing on an activity that provides a sense of purpose. It can then be time to move on the next theme.
Principles
Many people aim to principles they believe in when pursuing an activity. They may do this when encouraging a person, practicing a craft, tackling a challenge or working towards a goal.
Some people gain strength from following such principles. They may also find that following these enables them to flow, focus and find fulfilment.
Imagine that you are going to do a piece of work. It may be important :
To clarify the principles you want to follow;
To translate these into action and perform superb work;
To find solutions to challenges when working towards the picture of success.
Some people simply love to follow their principles. One person expressed this in the following way.
“I enjoy the journey as much as reaching the goal. Every day that I get the chance to follow the principles is a win. It is a joy to be able to do what I believe in and work towards a compelling goal.”
You will have your own view on the principles you want to follow. This may sometimes lead to the following stage.
Peace
People who pursue a purpose sometimes experience a sense of peace. Different people achieve this in different ways. One approach is for them:
To follow their principles;
To perform superb work;
To do their best to achieve their picture of success.
Sometimes this will involve them reaching a specific goal but sometimes they may not be in control of achieving the outcome. One person described their approach in such situations.
“My aim in life is to make a positive contribution. The main thing is to feel that I have done my best. Providing I have done that, I sometimes feel a sense of peace.”
As mentioned earlier in the book, some individuals also aim to pass on their knowledge. They may do this when acting as leader, mentor, coach or in another role.
They want to share what they have learned and help other people to succeed. Some find that that passing on this knowledge can also lead to a sense of peace.
Let’s return to your own life and work. Looking ahead, can you think of a situation where you may want to follow elements of this approach? How can you do this in your own way?
How can you create or find a purpose? How can you follow your chosen principles? How can you do your best and maybe experience a sense of peace?
If you wish, try tackling the exercise on this theme. This invites you to complete the following sentences.
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