Playing By Someone Else’s Rules

Take control today

Are you a cork floating on the ocean?

Do you feel you have control over your life, or do you see your actions dictated by the rules and structures of the world around you?

Interesting thought, no?

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Lots of rules

There are rules that govern and guide so many aspects of our lives … government, business, health, religion, etiquette, social situations. The list is nearly endless.

Some rules are very narrow, dealing with very specific circumstances; others govern a wider set of behavior; and then there are those rules that act more like general guidelines. In all cases, penalties exist for failing to follow the rules.

Common ground, restricting behavior

Looking back through human history, it’s easy to see the need for rules to establish a level of order. Rules allow us to guide behavior, to define how “the game” works. It’s hard to grow, evolve, and prosper when living in chaos.

The flip side to that is having too many rules stifles creativity and limits advancement.

The goal then becomes (as in so many other aspects of life) to achieve a balance in the rules. To protect and guide without crushing individuality and growth.

It’s all in your mind

With all the rules out there, it’s easy to feel that they control our lives. That they limit what we can achieve and accomplish with our lives.

They don’t really.

But they do become another excuse our minds use to justify our fear of change and failure.  It’s much easier to blame the rules then to take responsibility to do something and quite possibly fail at it.

Not in my view

I’ve found a statistic that stated 50% of Americans end up living within 50 miles of where they were born. (I happen to be in that 50% – by choice – and love where I live;-) But the important part is – we have the choice to stay or to go.

While some people enter the family business or follow in their parent’s foot steps, it isn’t required – and many, many people enter their own profession.

Think about your decisions on where to live, what to do, and how to present yourself – have you decided, or simply allowed yourself to move with the current?  We, as citizens of the United States, are free to live where and how we like, and that is key. (Other nations have other rules… I feel empathy for others that are not as free…)

Motivation to live your life as you want

If you’re not happy with your life – make a change.

It may not be easy, but nobody ever promised you that it would be.

Stop being just the cork.
Drop a keel.
Add a rudder.
Pull up a sail.

And make your way.