Wisdom may be accurately defined as practical skillful living. One can make the case that the most direct path to successful living is the integrating of correct principles to all of life. When lifelong learning, utilizing experience, knowledge, and good judgment, flow together, we will experience much less stress and anxiety at home and at work.
Have you ever wondered how you could better manage your time? How to be more effective at home and business being genuinely successful with both? Understanding the wisdom of principle centered living is the solution.
Correct Principles applied consistently over a period of time, will bring about ongoing personal development and improvement in all areas of life. In this way we will be adding more value to ourselves and others year in and year out.
“Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” – Stephen Covey
Rules verses Principles Rules are authoritative, a rigid set of absolutes. Rules are basically external non-negotiable guidelines, applicable to all people functioning within a certain context. They are laws to be followed without exception.
Principles are more internally driven; they’re adaptable in a variety of ways in numerous circumstances. They require much thought to be internalized, because they are character driven. Principles function as an inward compass to guide and measure our thoughts words and conduct. This allows us much flexibility and does require a degree of self-awareness.
Principles Successfully Demonstrated Ray Dalio (author of the bestselling book “Principles”) says; “Principles are fundamental truths that serve as the foundations for behavior that gets you what you want out of life. They can be applied again and again in similar situations to help you achieve your goals. Raymond Dalio is originally from Queens, New York, He’s traded commodity futures at the New York Stock Exchange, served as the Director of Commodities at Dominick & Dominick LLC. He founded Bridgewater Associates in 1975, which became the largest hedge fund in the world by 2012, and by 2014 was managing more than $160 billion in assets. Dalio attributes his success to personally integrated life principles. He says as much in the introduction to his book. “Whatever success I’ve had in life has had more to do with my knowing how to deal with my not knowing than anything I know. The most important thing I learned is an approach to life based on principles that helps me find out what’s true and what to do about it.”
Principles are Practical and Consistent I have my own principles (some I’ve learned from others) over the years that have served me well. Here are two of them (I’ve generalized them for the sake of brevity):
Principle: Daily align my thoughts and actions on my Life’s Purpose Practice: Is what I’m doing now consistent with my gifts and talents? Reflect: Have my decisions been true to who I am and where I want to go? Explain.
Principle: Being a Lifelong Learner Practice: What have I learned today that I need to learn more about tomorrow? Reflect: How have I been practicing this month what I learned last month?
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – Lao Tzu
Before Developing or Adapting Principles Ask Yourself Some of the Questions Below:
Question #1 – Do I know my purpose? (Taking a personal assessment survey can help) Question #2 – What do I want to accomplish this year? (Write long term and short term goals) Question #3 – What do I need to do to get there? (Time, money, help, education, etc.) Question #4 – What will it require of me to continue improving from there? (Personal Growth program) Question #5 – Who do I need to become to take others with me? (Building a Team, leading others)
“Being clear on your principles is important because they will affect all aspects of your life, many times a day.” – Ray Dalio
*** This article was authored by John Picarello, Chief Leadership Officer at Lions Pride Leadership Co.***[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]