Getting In Sync with The Way of Life

By

Bill Cottringer

“In anything, timing is everything.” ~Benjamin Disraeli.

          During our lives we are all part of one main conflict, which is us vs. life. Of course, our everyday lives involve two other conflicts within this main one, which are us vs. others and even us vs. ourselves. The path of least resistance to resolving all these conflicts requires us to get more in sync with the Way of Life. Here are the seven behaviors that help us find this path so we can enjoy the benefits of being in sync with the Way of Life.

1. Slow Down.

     The advances in technology have helped create a whirlwind of instantaneousness, where everything needs to be done yesterday. Quality work is often lost at the present fast pace of life. The Way of Life is much slower, but we must force ourselves to slow down to become more present, to see more clearly and avoid the blurring motion going on all around us. The matter of good timing prevails in this refocusing.

2. Be Mindful.

    One of the best ways to slow time down, and have more of it, is to be more mindful of the present moment so we can be more aware of all the more important influences going on right now. Mindfulness avoids wasting time remembering the past or anticipating the future and helps us to get more done right now. It also helps us to gain control over the one thing we can control—our reaction to the next situation the Way of Life puts us in.

3. Find Purpose.

     The quicker we can find our unique purpose here in life, the more happiness and success we get to enjoy by developing our gifts to live out that purpose in our lives. The Way of Life needs us all to give our best performance in carrying out our personal purpose to make a difference in making life better for us all.

4. Fit In.

     Many of us waste a lot of energy trying to change things to our way of life, before learning how to fit in first with what we are trying to change. Fitting in first helps avoid wasting time and effort to change things that may not need changing, so we have another time management tool to get more done in less time. Fitting in involves win-win cooperation, collaboration and compromise, in replacing a purely win-lose competitive mentality.

5. Experience Life.

    Another priority reversal is thinking and feeling about a situation, before we actually experience it. This reversal leads to expectations and judgments which can needlessly spoil the quality of the experience for our potential enjoyment. Both work and play are meant to be fun, not drudgery. Just another available time management tool to double your happiness and success.

6, Be Likeable.

     All conflicts, even the one with us vs. life, are really interpersonal in nature. And the most success in these interactions is brought about by being likeable yourself when you are around others. Likeability is enhanced by being honest, agreeable, attractive, humorous, empathetic, and a good listener.

7. Communication Carefully.

     In his latest book, John Maxwell points out an important reality today—that many communicate but few connect. The type of communication that connects best with others satisfies our important needs. Such connecting words create a supportive two-way tone of communication by conveying equality, freedom, spontaneity, sensitivity, acceptance and provisionalism.

     These seven behaviors all build on each other and so their collective use get the maximum results in getting more in sync with the Way of Life, and all that brings with it.