Introduction
Most of us want to live a smooth, efficient and conscious life, and in order to achieve this we can align ourselves with a few universal principles that prove to do just that, filling up our lives with smoothness, efficiency and consciousness. In fact it’s even easier than that, we simply have to make sure we don’t fall for certain traps and life will start to flow freely. Curious to find out more? Let’s dive straight in with the first one.
Pretending to be certain
One of the biggest mistakes we can make, both as individuals and as a collective, is to pretend that we are certain. When we close our minds off to the infinite amount of higher, deeper and more harmonious concepts, ideas and insights around love, life and work, we deeply limit ourselves and our chances to live a fulfilled, authentic and abundant life. We stay stuck in outdated, conditioned and fearful modes of thinking, projecting and being, sucking us in a mediocre, frustrating and fatalistic illusion. Conscious people learned this lesson and tend to not fall for this trap. They remain passionately, consciously and playfully grounded in a state of deep curiosity, especially about the most fundamental aspects of their lives, knowing this is a master key.
2. Getting lost in superficial desires
Energies such as sex, food and money are not only deeply enjoyable, they are also a deep need for us in order to survive, rise and thrive. The problem starts to arise when we either start seeing sex, food and money as an end goal or if we start overindulging in any of them. Repeatedly and solely relying on something external for our own wholeness, such as feel-good foods, greedy overabundance and another sexual partner is a recipe for a life of dependency, frustration, separation and meaninglessness. Conscious people have learned that true joy comes from within and that it’s absolutely essential to be honest about whether these aspects of life are seen as an end goal or not, while rebalancing their perception and intentions if so.
3. Seeking validation, approval & recognition
Actively seeking or subconsciously expecting validation, approval or recognition is the third pitfall many of us fall for. Highly conscious people don’t need others to validate them. They realize that depending on others to prove that they are ‘worthy’, ‘right’, ‘lovable’ or ‘good’ is a huge waste of precious time and positive energy. Conscious people know that these terms are deeply relative and instead focus on creating value for themselves, their tribe and the collective. Understanding that ultimately only you can fully recognize your truth, worth and path is an absolute must in order to break free from the chains of this horrible, deeply rooted and soul-draining tendency to seek and expect validation of others.
4. Trying to do everything alone
Once we are able to remain deeply grounded in our own sense of self-worth and creative abilities, it is important to open up and remind ourselves that there are 7 billion other souls out there who can possibly assist, enlighten and help us in what we’re trying to achieve. It’s understandable that after having found, recognized and realized our full creative potential, many of us continue trying to do everything by themselves, and although they might be able to, this is not only highly inefficient, but it’s also much more satisfying to solely focus on your zone of genius. Conscious people, reach out, co-create and synergize. They open themselves up to the help, advice and support that is ever-presently around them. They understand that by asking what they need they will receive it.
5. Trying to fix others
Helping, assisting and taking core of people you care about is a beautiful thing, but when the other person senses that you are trying to change them instead of loving them unconditionally, the other person perceives this as the exact opposite. Conscious people don’t judge others, only give advice when asked to do so and generally embody a state of unconditional appreciation and compassion for the person they are with. They don’t try to fix others but instead focus on their own questions; prioritizing their own deepest needs and soul’s desires, knowing that this is how they optimally contribute to the whole.
6. Believing identity and direction ARE fixed
Due to childhood conditioning, cultural influences, family values and an imperfect educational system, many of us believe that their direction, role and identity in work, life and love is assumed to be fixed. They desperately try to answer questions such as: ‘Who am I?’, ‘Where should I go to find out who I am?’, ‘Who can show me who I am?’, ‘Who am I going to love?’, not realizing their identity and direction is deeply and subconsciously influenced by their environment, maturity and degree of understanding of themselves/life. Conscious people understand that their trajectory, identity and direction in work, life and love are not necessarily fixed and permanent. They realize that they can become adaptable like a chameleon and that they don’t have to remain attached to a certain role, belief or identity, which allows them to let go of past desires and to surrender to the bliss of exceeding all previously-formed expectations.
7. Trying to attract attention
So many of us try to attract attention by saying certain things, wearing particular clothes or acting a certain way, afraid that they won’t be noticed. These people easily succumb to an amplified pressure to talk, to act, to make an impression, to interrupt or to be the life of the party. What they don’t realize is that their inherent worth and beauty naturally attracts attention, and that if they wait, they will receive the proper attention, at the most opportune time, with no need to waste precious energy, doing or saying something that is unharmonious. By reducing the urgent pressure they feel to speak, they reduce stress on their vocal cords, their nervous system and their life in general. In this modern age, there is a constant subconscious urge to be social, but conscious people know when to remain and be silent.
8. Avoiding confrontation and truth
Let’s face it, many of us have a deep tendency to avoid confrontation. Confrontation, whether it' being physical, mental, financial, sexual or spiritual, makes them nervous. As they mature they subconsciously develop all sorts of strategies to avoid the emotional impact, both positive and negative, that naturally comes with confrontation and living your truth. They develop a persona that says: ‘I won’t upset you, if you won’t upset me’, avoiding confrontation out of fear of rocking the boat. They rather stay nice, safe and emotionally stable instead of confronting and expressing their own truths, needs and soul’s desires. Although the idea of confrontation may freeze them in terror initially, the act of confronting others and life becomes natural when these people start to prioritize their own lives, needs and dreams. You see, when confrontations are always avoided, life is lived on a superficial level, and true, authentic and deep satisfaction remains out of reach. On the other side of pain is pleasure and on the other side of fear is the joy and freedom to be ourselves. Conscious people understand this and see confrontation as a healthy catalyst for transformation and handle it correctly.
9. Not sharing their inherent gifts and value
So many of us settle for mediocrity, comfort and simply getting by. Conscious people realize that they multiply by sharing. And it’s true, it’s possible to serve, enlighten and liberate others, yourself and the whole by vulnerably and courageously sharing your deepest truths and inherent value. Conscious people are assertive, proactive and consistent in building the strategies, structures and networks required in order to share their value, externalize their gifts and live on top of their purpose. Conscious people are driven, passionate and patient about making a true, authentic and meaningful impact on the other, and thus themselves.
10. Procrastinating out of perfectionism
So many of us postpone action to the illusionary future out of fear and perfectionism. Instead of doing something straight away, they tell themselves they are not yet worthy, wise, beautiful or lovable enough. They try to produce perfect results not understanding that their perception of perfect is not only unattainable, it is also not the idea of perfect for everyone else. Conscious people accept good enough and embody a playful but assertive ‘instant-implementation’ way of living as much as possible.
11. Neglecting the core issue of authority
So many of us are leading their lives through the influences of external forms of authority. They fail to recognize the importance of seeking, creating and living new intentions and ways of understanding that truly serve their highest selves and deepest dreams. Instead of trying their own truth, they let themselves be steered in all sorts of inauthentic and unharmonious directions defined by what others desire, expect and want from them. This could be mainstream culture, religion, mass media, the educational system, parents, friends and even certain aspects of our limited past. Conscious people realize the importance of seeking, creating and revisiting an inner roadmap for decision making and stay grounded in their own values, needs and deepest sense of purpose.
Conscious people realise that a strong sense of inner authority allows them to be the authentic authors of their dreams. Hopefully you do too.