“Ninety percent of people seem to live ninety percent of their lives on cruise control, which is to be unconscious,” according to Richard Rohr, the author of Falling Upwards.
The problem with surveys is that whatever the majority says is the truth. The problem when researching wellbeing when asking the public what the essential elements are, ninety percent of people will give the cruise control answer.
They will say that we are our thoughts, feelings, and senses. Satisfy these, and we will live well.
Gallup conducted such a survey and produced five essential elements for wellbeing. These are:
- Career
- Social
- Financial
- Physical
- Community
Nine out of ten adults prefer materialistic daily human existence. Because ninety percent of responses were unconscious, they missed out on consciousness. According to psychologists Howard Gardner, Robert, Cooper, Daniel Goleman, Victor Frankyl, and others, there is an essential missing.
- Spiritual
William Bloom described spirituality as:
“I simply mean that whole reality and dimension which is bigger, more creative, more loving, more powerful, more visionary, wiser, more mysterious – than materialistic daily human existence.”
You see, our soul is the observer—the true self.
We observe our thoughts, feelings, and senses. The temporary. The personality. The false self. The ego-self.
Lasting contentment requires all four basic dimensions of life, mind, body, heart, and spirit. Growing and maintaining these four essentials gives you quiet confidence, internal strength and security, the ability to be simultaneously courageous and considerate, and personal and moral authority.
Stephen R. Covey, the author of the 8th habit, adds, “It profoundly impacts your ability to influence others and help them find their four basic needs.”
But here’s the challenge.
Materialistic daily existence is our comfort zone. The journey along the tail of the serpent of wisdom is painful. The spiritual guide is not a welcome guest for nine in ten people.
You would be far more successful in business if you focused on selling happy pills from the first five essentials. Happiness will pass, and the consumer returns for another fix. The dealer is always welcome at the table.
But here’s the twist. Your conscience will not let you sleep at night.
You would be a far more rounded planner if you worked with the whole-person paradigm. You may not be so popular, but word will soon get around that your work results in more lasting contentment for your clients.
What will you choose? A win-lose business? Or the more challenging journey -true win-win.
Academy of Life Planning 