Title: Transform Your Decisions: Understanding Your Personal Operating System
Written on
Chapter 1: The Enchantment of Fairy Tales
Every fairy tale begins with a familiar premise, doesn’t it? A lovely maiden, a dashing prince, or perhaps a dragon just in search of something shiny that inadvertently gets entangled with a princess's crown. These stories often involve characters like a girl delivering goodies to her grandmother or children abandoned in the woods, filled with witches, fairies, and more.
These narratives are so well ingrained in our culture that one of my favorite authors, Mercedes Lackey, devised an entire realm known as the Five Hundred Kingdoms. Within this universe, a powerful, almost omniscient magical force referred to as The Tradition directs lives along familiar fairy-tale paths whenever they begin to resemble an existing story.
In the Five Hundred Kingdoms, this overarching Operating System governs the characters' fates. Many protagonists either find ways to navigate The Tradition or cleverly manipulate its (metaphorical) code to achieve their own happy endings, often right under its unknowing gaze.
However, most inhabitants of this realm remain blissfully unaware of The Tradition's influence. They accept their circumstances, decisions, and behaviors without questioning the underlying reasons—or even recognizing that there might be reasons to explore.
Understanding The Tradition is primarily reserved for figures like Godmothers (the Fairy Godmother was just one among many) and various royalty, who serve as the architects of their world, often attempting to steer their charges toward favorable outcomes.
These books captivate me deeply, and I wholeheartedly recommend them. Today, as I revisited the first volume for what feels like the hundredth time, I couldn't help but think: “Wow, this paradigm is surprisingly accurate.”
We All Have a Personal Operating System
I won’t delve into a global Operating System here; that's beyond the scope of this discussion. However, I’ve come to realize that people function much like intricate computers, operating a remarkably complex OS every minute of the day.
I’ve coined the term Personal OS to describe this phenomenon. On a micro level, it encompasses everyday habits, such as how we communicate or our eating habits. On a broader scale, it influences our worldview and the behaviors that stem from it.
This notion has occupied my mind recently, especially after a realization I had this morning: I need to upgrade my Personal OS.
Why You Need to Upgrade Your Personal OS
Throughout life, we ideally acquire knowledge—not just skills but also new perspectives and attitudes. As we integrate these insights, our OS evolves.
Unfortunately, my Personal OS is significantly outdated. I often struggle with financial management. Periodically, I experience bursts of clarity where I feel confident and declare, “I've got this! Everything will change now!” But, predictably, this enthusiasm fades within a week.
After much reflection, I’ve discovered the root cause: while I consume personal finance literature and participate in financial education programs, I’ve neglected to update my OS.
My current operating system is stuck in a mindset I developed sixteen years ago, one that prioritizes extravagant dinners over essential expenses, like buying corrective lenses. It’s no wonder I face budgeting challenges.
Ultimately, when my Personal OS conflicts with reality, it tends to prevail. Much like The Tradition, it pushes me toward paths I may not desire, regardless of my well-laid plans and aspirations. If these ambitions clash with my OS, they often fall by the wayside.
How to Upgrade Your Personal OS
Honestly, I’m still navigating this process. The first step is recognizing the OS you’re currently operating. Do you have a change you wish to implement in your life? Why hasn't it happened? Avoid shallow excuses like “I’m too tired” or “I’d rather go to brunch than buy my contact lenses.”
To truly understand your OS, you must dig deeper. The OS I am currently assessing was established over sixteen years ago, and I’m only 34. That’s a substantial portion of my life, during which it has influenced my decisions, leaving me puzzled by my own choices.
I’m not entirely sure what the second step in this updating process will entail, but I’ll keep you informed as I discover more.
However, acknowledging your own OS and identifying your personal Tradition is undoubtedly a commendable starting point.
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