What are you optimizing your life for?
It is a critical question that very few of us even think or ponder about it. Very recently, I realized that I am doing what I am doing for a reason, especially the things that I enjoy, care for, or intrigue me, and it all boils down to »
What am I optimizing my life for?
I won’t say the answer remains constant in different phases of our lives, but we need to know some overarching idea of what we want from our lives.
Let me give you an example: I am personally optimizing my life for Freedom and Zen.
Let me try to unpack freedom first!
I want to live free, where I don’t get bothered by stuff that doesn’t matter to me, and, most importantly, it doesn’t hinder my inner spiritual journey and worldly desires. So, everything that I try to do or make choices in my life - I think from the lens of “Is it going to make me freer? or not?” and if the answer is yes, then I go with it. Then, for my freedom lens, following things become essential as a framework (mental model)»
Simple Lifestyle » I see simple living allows me to feel freer, as the added complexities sometimes entangle in stuff we don’t want to do or don’t want to be associated with. A simple lifestyle tends to be more flexible and adaptive. With fewer things tying me down, it's easier for me to make changes, take risks, and seize new opportunities.
Disagreement with wealth » It is up to everyone how they see what is enough for them and what is not, but to me, having financial security or cushion is essential if I am optimizing life for freedom. It allows me to take calculated risks and invest in the future. It allows me to take chances on new ventures, switch careers, or make other bold moves that involve risk or reduced income.
Frugality is a virtue » Some will find it contradictory, but having wealth and being extremely frugal (diligent/intentional with money) can be done simultaneously. I stress here and say it should be done at the same time. If you have wealth and you are frugal, then you liberate yourself. I said this in my other post on “Frugality is a virtue.”
“If you are frugal, it would be really tough to be bankrupt. So, let frugality be your secret weapon.”
Downsizing & owning little » is minimalism; downsizing and owning little go hand in hand with frugality and simplicity. It helps me free up my time, energy, and mental space.
Working solo or small teams » I try to optimize my freedom by having remote and mostly solo (independent) work, as it fits with my circle of competence, which is being a lone wolf and exceedingly terrible at managing people; I look for partners, not employees, that allows me to be freer.
Losing identities & embracing diversity » Becoming identity-less or shedding off our identities can be a way to achieve freedom by detaching ourselves from the labels, roles, and expectations that often come with having a defined identity. This can allow us to explore different aspects of ourselves and the world around us without feeling constrained by societal norms or expectations. Here are a few ways in which becoming identity-less can help me achieve freedom:
I am no longer bound by the limitations and stereotypes associated with our identities, which can open up new opportunities and possibilities for growth and exploration.
I can challenge societal norms and expectations by refusing to fit into predefined categories or labels.
I can develop a more fluid sense of self that is not dependent on external validation or approval.
I can connect with people from several ethnicities, religions, skin color, etc, and it doesn’t bother me. I can easily embrace diversity and feel freer as I lose my attachment to my identity.
My past is dead, my present is live, and in the future, I will be dead and will go back to nothingness, so in reality, my identity is meaningless, as I am just part of the cosmos like everyone else.
- Identity, Sagar Tandon
Then, how I optimize Zen in my life, let us try to unpack that as well!
I believe these are the seven tools [mental model] that can help me preserve Zen till my existence on this planet Earth»
Meditation - the best gift is to sit with a focus on nothing to experience true light & sound within. Someone I appreciate said something extraordinary: "Zen is within me. It can never be dim…We all are Buddha."
Sewa - selfless acts of service without expectation relieve us from our burdens and free us from our lust, anger, greed, attachment, and ego. Some time ago, I wrote a piece on Sewa.
Nature - a powerful spiritual tool that can help balance our chakras, promote tranquility, and foster contentment. Walking in a park or observing the sea waves on the beach can connect with the natural world and its energy. The sounds, sights, and smells of nature can help to calm the mind. It is a form of meditation - as we are in total union with nature.
Solitude (& Introversion) allows me to appreciate my existence and soul more than anything. Solitude is a choice we should practice to let go and appreciate little things in life. It is the best gift that you can give to yourself. Solitude is necessary for spiritual practice and self-exploration, as it allows for quiet reflection, inner peace, and a deeper connection with oneself and the Divine.
Surrender - I surrender that Zen might not always be present. "Zen is not always present.” It makes me feel grounded.
Love & Sangha (community) - I don’t have love in my life at present - love & physical connection with the twin flame and maybe giving birth to another human life. I want to be highly intentional about this. Love is the highest form of energy and a bridge connecting us to the Divine. I want to experience it with one person. But I do have my community (“sangha”), which I appreciate as they are deep souls who give me love in unparalleled ways.
First, ask, what are you optimizing your life for? Then, ask yourself how you can optimize your life. When you do that, use frameworks like Strength Finder, Areas of Genius, Peter Principle, and Ikigai to marry your competence with passion (interests) while knowing your weaknesses. I have written two frameworks as well that might help you in your journey, which are »
What do you think? Ping me at sagar@idexaccelerator.com to tell or share it in the comments below.
Sign-off for humanity,
Sagar
Follow me on LinkedIn» https://www.linkedin.com/in/sagartandon/
Mail me at » sagar@idexaccelerator.com / sagar@firstfollowers.co
Stay humble, stay curious 🌟🌟🌟!
Note: These are my personal opinion.
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