Do You Have a Life Philosophy?

I picked up this book a couple of years ago on the recommendation of a friend. The book is about Stoicism. When I read it, so many things in it resonated with me and I realized I try to live my life according to a lot of the principles in it. So it’s a book I highly recommend.

But the principles of Stoicism are not what this post is about. Rather it is about a simple point the author makes that is great advice for anyone - regardless of belief. He stresses that even if readers don't subscribe to Stoicism, he hopes they take this lesson away from the book....

Everyone should give thought to and clearly establish their philosophy of life.

1. What is your grand goal of living?

2. What is your strategy for attaining your grand goal of living?

We are largely distracted in our daily lives by our "goals" of accomplishment - go to college/university, get our first job, save up and buy our first house, climb up the career ladder, save for retirement and to acquire things. We mistake the pursuit of all these goals as our philosophy of life. Or more accurately stated, we let the pursuit of these goals keep us from truly thinking about our life philosophy and what our grand goal of living is. Don't feel bad. It happens to most of us.

Don't get me wrong. The pursuit of these goals has its place. We are achievers. We crave the security they bring. But don't be fooled. These things are NOT your philosophy of life. For that, the author Irvine asks:

"What do you want out of life?"

"Of the things in life you might pursue, which is the thing you consider to be most valuable?"

So really think about this and be honest with yourself. You can continue on pursuing the goals you are pursuing. But make sure they are in line with your philosophy of life. Don't just pursue them because that's what society expects. Being crystal clear on what your philosophy of life is will make your decisions about where and how you spend your time much easier. Sure, you may still work in the way that you do now, but understanding your life philosophy will guide you with…

....what you do in your work

....what you do outside your work

....and what you do with the proceeds of your work.

Credit: Irvine, William B. "A Guide to the Good Life".