Stop Stressing About Life - It's All Made-up Anyway!
Ever watched a movie where the world is coming to an end and got so stressed
out over it that you made yourself ill with worry, stress and anxiety?
No, of course not – because you know that it’s all just made up, right? (if
you don’t answer yes here, then you have some issues of your own to be
addressed first…)
In a hurry? Listen on the go!
Introduction
What if I told you that everything you know to be true is a mere figment of
your imagination…
That the very fabric of reality is not real, but merely a collection of ideas
and concepts that we have collectively accepted as truth?
I was reading a great book recently called ‘Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind’ by Yuval Noah Harari, which I would highly recommend reading, that
highlighted the point that everything we hold to be true and important about
our modern societies is really just made up!
From time and beliefs to cultures, religions, money, and companies, everything
is a made-up concept – created by people like you and I in the years gone by
for one reason or another, yet we all accept them as absolute truths without
really questioning how they affect us.
Let’s take a look at some of these to see what I am blabbering on about shall
we, and more to the point, why is this important to you in finding your version of success...
What’s The Time?
Let's start with time.
The concept of time is a human invention to keep track of events and actions
in a sequential manner. The idea of time has evolved throughout history, from
the earliest known measurement systems based on astronomical observations to
the adoption of standardized time zones in the late 19th century.
But the truth is, time is a man-made concept, and it has no inherent value or
meaning outside of our human experience.
Time is a useful tool that helps us structure our lives, but it can also be a
source of stress and anxiety. Many people feel like they don't have enough
time to accomplish everything they want or need to do, and this can lead to
feelings of inadequacy and failure.
However, if we recognize that time is a human construct, we can take a step
back and create our own definitions of time that align with our personal
values and goals.
For example, instead of measuring our lives in terms of minutes, hours, and
days, we can shift our perspective and focus on the quality of our
experiences.
We can prioritize activities and relationships that bring us joy and
fulfilment, rather than just trying to fill our time with as many tasks as
possible. By redefining our relationship with time, we can create a more
meaningful and fulfilling definition of success for ourselves.
It's The Truth… Honest!
Beliefs are another example of made-up concepts. They are the ideas, values, and attitudes that we hold to be true, without any objective evidence to support them.
Beliefs can be shaped by a variety of factors, including upbringing,
socialization, and cultural background. These beliefs can influence our
thoughts, behaviours, and decisions, but they are not necessarily absolute
truths.
It's important to recognize that beliefs are not fixed and can evolve over
time.
As we encounter new experiences and information, we may begin to question our
previously held beliefs and develop new perspectives. This process of growth
and self-reflection is essential for personal development and can help us
achieve greater success in our lives.
One of the biggest obstacles to personal growth is holding onto limiting beliefs. These are beliefs that hold us back and prevent us from reaching our
full potential.
Limiting beliefs can be related to our abilities, self-worth, or the world
around us, and they can be deeply ingrained in our psyche. However, if we are
willing to challenge these beliefs and replace them with more empowering ones,
we can open ourselves up to new opportunities and experiences.
For example, if we believe that we are not capable of achieving a certain goal, we are unlikely to even try. But if we shift our belief to one that is
more empowering, such as "I can achieve anything I set my mind to," we are
more likely to take action and work towards our goals.
By being open to changing our beliefs and perspectives, we can create a more
positive and fulfilling reality for ourselves.
Show Me The Money!
Money is yet another example of a made-up concept.
It's a tool that we use to facilitate trade and commerce, but it has no
intrinsic value outside of our collective agreement that it does. The value of
money is not determined by its material properties, but by the trust and
confidence that we place in it.
Money is a social construct that allows us to exchange goods and services in a
more efficient and convenient way, as opposed to trading items directly which
had many disadvantages.
Some of these were differences in value (trading an apple for a cow, for
example), supply and demand issues – does anyone want what you have to offer?
And, dealing in perishable goods only gave you a limited trading window.
However, our relationship with money can be complex and fraught with emotions.
Many people equate their self-worth with their net worth, and this can lead to
a never-ending pursuit of more money and material possessions.
It's important to remember that money is simply a means to an end, not an end
in itself. We should strive to use money to create a fulfilling and meaningful
life, rather than letting it control us.
One way to create a healthier relationship with money is to prioritize our
values and goals. By identifying what truly matters to us and aligning our
financial decisions with those values, we can use money as a tool for personal growth and fulfilment.
This may mean saving for a dream vacation, investing in a business idea, or
donating to a charitable cause that we care about.
It's also important to remember that money is not the only measure of success.
While financial stability and security are important, they are not the only
indicators of a fulfilling life. Success can also be measured in terms of
personal growth, meaningful relationships, and contributing to society in a
positive way.
What’s The Point?
So why does any of this matter? Why should we care that everything we know to
be true is a made-up concept?
The answer lies in the power of our own minds...
If everything is a construct of our own imagination, then that means we have
the power to shape our own reality. We have the ability to create new ideas,
new beliefs, new cultures, new forms of commerce, and new organizations.
Or put another way - if everything around us that we take as truth is just made up, then whats's stopping you from creating the life you want to live?
"Whatever the mind can perceive and believe, it can achieve" - Napoleon Hill.
This is where the concept of success comes into play…
Success is not a fixed idea or concept. It's something that we define for
ourselves based on our own values, beliefs, and aspirations.
Success can mean different things to different people, and it can change and
evolve over time.
In achieving success, its useful to recognize that everything is a made-up
concept. That means you have the power to create your own definition of
success, and you have the power to shape your own reality.
Don't let societal norms or external expectations define what success means to
you. Don’t get caught up in other people’s social media feeds telling you what
you need to be doing – only you can do that.
Instead, focus on what truly matters to you, focus on achieving YOUR goals
aligned with YOUR values, and work towards achieving YOUR own version of
success!
Conclusion
Remember, everything is made-up.
The only thing that's real is your own imagination and your own ability to create your own reality. So don't be afraid to dream big, to think outside the box, and to challenge the status quo.
With the right mindset and the right attitude, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.
Success is not a fixed concept, it's something that you create for yourself.
So go out there and make it happen!
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