Have Your Own Personal Philosophy

A life philosophy is one’s personal way of thinking that guides his perceptions, thoughts, decisions, and actions.

An individual’s personal philosophy in life is the best gauge of a person’s character. A life philosophy is also referred to as a motto.

Some examples of life philosophies are the following: “Time is gold”, “Patience is a virtue”, and “If I stumble, I will rise again.” Here are some of the most common life philosophies that can guide your day-to-day endeavours:

• When life gives you lemons, make lemonade
This life philosophy has been passed on for years, yet its meaning never lose its positive power. This life philosophy teaches you to be more resourceful, especially when the going gets tough. The ability to easily adapt to certain difficulties in life is certainly a very admirable trait to develop.

• Look before you leap
This motto is geared towards those who are stuck in between taking a risky life changing decision or playing it safe. While it is definitely a good thing to not let fear or other people control your life and the choices that you make, it is not an entirely bad thing to be cautious of your actions.
This life philosophy teaches you to have the presence of mind.  You must not be too hasty with your decisions. Instead, weigh the pros and cons of the situation, and then come up with a sound and mature decision. Life is all about taking chances. This is your life so it is best to discern the best option.

• Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
Even though this has been said time and time again, this popular moral has taught people on the importance of being earnest and practical when it comes to counting one’s “blessings.”

Simply put, don’t count money that you don’t have. When you want to buy something expensive, do not say to yourself, “If I get a high paying job then I will be able to pay for this, no problem!”  Do not deceive yourself. Get that high paying job first. If you simply cannot afford it, don’t buy it. Just buy it when you really can spare the money; or else, you will end up with a huge debt. You have to be mature enough to know your limits and be responsible enough to know how much you really have.

Of course, this adage does not only apply on the issue of money.  It is also applicable to various scenarios.  You have this person that you like. Do not start daydreaming of marrying that individual and living in a house with a white picket fence, especially if you don’t even know that person well! Who knows? That person might be married.

• Don’t cry over spilled milk
This saying can help you finally move on from the various “traumatic” experiences that you had in your life. Remember that life is not worth living if you live a life full of regrets. Stop thinking of “what might have been,” but concentrate on “what will be.”

Train your mind to focus on a positive goal.  Maintain your attention on this and explore how you will be able to achieve it. There really is no point in rambling on and on over something that you have already lost. If it is really meant for you, it is probably not the best time or option for you. You should not put your life on hold while waiting for it. It is best not to be stuck on something that makes you vulnerable and unhappy.

• The early bird gets the worm
It is funny when you think about the lessons from Aesop’s Fables and other stories. Who would have thought that these stories, which are meant to teach children a thing or two about life, would become great self-help motivational tools?

For those who have forgotten about this saying, it is about learning to value time -- not just your time, but others as well. It will not hurt if you wake up earlier than usual in order to get to your meeting on time.

Make the most out of your time in the office to accomplish all tasks without having to go on overtime. Do your job the best you can without stressing yourself out. You will have a hard time sleeping if you feel too burned out.

When you are early on appointments and various arrangements, you get to have more things done, you get to maximize your time, plus you reap the rewards by having positive feedback thrown your way. Remember, no one would want to wait around for you; so do your part by being always on time. Another saying that complements this adage is, “you snooze, you lose.” This should help motivate you on being early all the time.

Actually, there are a lot of other life philosophies you can choose from in order to guide you through life. You can come up with your own life philosophy tailored to your experiences. Try to be creative and come up with something catchy. Who knows? Your life philosophy might become an inspiration to others as well.