Life. Meaning. Purpose.: Recent Episodes
Adam Burns
Life is full of events, happenings, interactions, relationships and moments that define who you are and who you are becoming. When you actually stop and take stock of “what” is happening, you begin to articulate your “why” and take hold of your life. My name is Adam Burns and I invite you to join me as I reflect on my own journey and offer insights to help in yours.
Follow me on socials LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-burns-124002119/ Twitter: @AdamJBurns9 Medium: https://link.medium.com/q7sksWJNMV
Cover art photo provided by Adam Whitlock on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/@adam_
There’s a reason that so much attention has gone towards leadership styles - because leading from personality just doesn’t cut it. Being yourself often isn’t enough. You need to find tools and techniques that allow you to influence a group in a positive way - so much so that the group could continue to thrive without you.
Sometimes figuring out the way forward can be paralysing, especially when you consider all the options available to you. To move forward you don't have to pick the right pathway straight up. Taking a step, any step creates the momentum and you can correct or redirect as you move forward. Live through the moment rather than define it.
As important as it is to have that touchstone to reality, any whose ever worked on their dream knows that we have already have an in-built auditor: doubt. When imposter syndrome sets in you don’t need a reality check. Rather, you need someone or something that reconnects you to that inspiration, to dream with you and reignite the fire.
We come up with all sorts of excuses to avoid working on that thing we want to achieve, accomplish or become. The truth is though, as humans we have incredible capacity to achieve, survive and thrive even against the bleakest of odds. You’re selling yourself short. You have more than enough capacity in you to reach that level you’re aiming for.
Risk-return trade-off isn’t just a business principle, it plays out practically in real life. We risk studying at uni, or in asking someone out and the return is increased employability or a long-term relationship. The risk is the time, energy and attention you spend working towards and outcome. The big picture is that how the risk-return trade-off plays out in your life maps directly to how much joy, satisfaction and fulfilment you experience in who you’re being and who you’re becoming.
Meditation is very trendy but contemplation doesn't really get talked about. Very basically, meditation is seeking out a train of thought or focus, whereas contemplation is letting a thought or focus come to you. Contemplation can help you become more aware of your blind spots in life, spirituality, relationships, work, body and wellbeing.
If you're feeling stuck or in a rut then don't forget life happens internally as well as externally in your work, career, relationships and situation. The things you do to learn, pray, meditate and grow in confidence and awareness prepare you to step up when opportunities open up.
In philosophy, the study of logic and reason presents several laws for arguing/debating ideas, beliefs and opinions. These laws are common sense, but common sense is not so common. This leads to fallacies or false ways of arguing and its happening a lot. You have knowledge and you have a responsibility to use that knowledge well.
The Law of Attraction put very basically sounds pile hopeful wishing. But actually, it's about believing in your own potential. Beliefs steer our future. After all, if you don't believe in something, you'll fall for anything. This isn't just about religious or spiritual beliefs. You will ”fall” if you don't stick to your beliefs regarding your relationships, work, health, etc.
Idealism if often seen as delusion. In fact, it can be practical and can create real change. The words “can become” open new potentials for transformation and its in telling these stories that you can create real change in yourself and for others.
Most of us would say that it’s desirable to have a balance between the time spent between work and life. This isn’t always achievable. There is, after all, only so many hours in a day. What if we thought about work-life balance in terms of expectation instead of time. We create expectations all the time - even if their unreasonable or imaginary. Being attentive to those expectations and owning how you shape them can create a better sense of balance in your life.
What comes first, the chicken or the egg? Well, I actually think in this case it’s definitely values before goals. Get clear on what you believe before you set out what you want to achieve in order to base your future on what actually makes you happy, healthy and fulfilled.
You’ve probably heard the adage, “responsibility is being response-able”. And when you think about how much your paradigms, the filters through which you view the world, influence you, you begin to realise how important your responses are. Take a step back though, to think about how your responses are shaped - and whether or not you are fully aware of how you are shaping them.
Ever done something that hurt or offended someone? It’s likely that wasn’t your intention. Often, when someone else does something hurtful or harmful, we overlook their intention and highlight their faults. Identifying someone’s intention (even your own) allows for forgiveness, reconciliation and redemption to happen.
Create self awareness through the content you consume online and through social media. Self awareness is the key to better relationships. Ask yourself why you consume self improvement or personal development content and how it influences you to create self awareness?