“Life cannot wait until the sciences have explained the universe. We cannot put off living until we are ready. The most salient characteristic of life is its coerciveness; it is always urgent, ‘here and now,’ without any possible postponement. Life is fired at us point blank.”
–Jose Ortega y Gasset
While there is much to what Jose Ortega y Gasset has said, the one aspect I particularly feel during this time of year and in this era is that “life is fired at us point blank.” Many of the people I speak with feel the same way. And, it seems that life is accelerating. I am not sure whether it is a function of getting older, the time of year, the economic climate or something else.
Something I am sure about is that there is a lot coming at us, and it is not merely a function of the time of year. At times it can seem that we’re dealing mainly with the demands placed on us and let slip some of the things that are important to us. So, with life coming at us “point blank” how do we ensure we are fulfilling the things that are of greatest importance to us? Going into the new year, I feel that is a worthwhile question to engage in.
One of the main difficulties in reliably fulfilling what’s of greatest importance to us is being clear about what really is of importance to us. Many of us have a sense of what’s important to us, but our awareness of what is important is somewhat vague and, even if clear, doesn’t give actionable access to fulfilling what is of greatest importance. (This is also the case in most organizations, but more about that in another posting.)
There are a few ways to bring clarity to what is of importance to us such that we are left with more power and satisfaction in fulfilling those things. It may be somewhat surprising, but this clarity is available in our day-to-day actions and thoughts.
We can start with what we are doing. A perspective we deal with in Mission Control is that all of what we do comes out of and is in order to fulfill those things that are of greatest importance to us. Take something you do, whether you like it or not. Ask yourself, “Why is that important to me?” Then, whatever answer you come up with, about that answer ask the same question, “Why is that important to me?” If you continue to ask the same question to each successive answer, you will arrive at something of fundamental importance to you.
Another avenue is to start with those things we think about doing, but are frustrated that we don’t get to or don’t get to in a sufficient manner. The process is the same – asking why that item is important to you until you arrive at something of fundamental importance to you.
Don’t worry about getting the right, true or even an accurate list. What seems to happen is that, just in the process of engaging in this inquiry, what’s of greatest importance to us seems to emerge. Then, it is a reference against which we choose to do one thing and not do another. It is this choice, on an ongoing basis, that will leave us fulfilled or not.
In completing 2009 and launching into 2010 we invite you to set aside some time to consider what’s of fundamental importance to you and to empower and enable yourself in being fulfilled and fully self expressed.
Most of all, all of us at Mission Control wish you and your loved ones all the best for the coming year.
