Orientation

Specific goals or targeted outcomes carry far more weight if they are justified by a core sense of direction. Indeed, it is true that "why-power" can be far more compelling than willpower. This orientation can be difficult to establish since it is highly individual, and needs to be crafted in a fine equilibrium: one that accounts for a person's likes, strengths, and that which others also find useful. If any of the three are missing, the orientation loses potency. Through a series of exercises, I help fellow young adults not only to define this sense of purpose, but to then properly articulate it and remain committed to it—as well as to develop mechanisms to continuously fine-tune it as they learn more about themselves.

02

Structure

While a sense of purpose is a necessary prerequisite to having something to work toward, it can be difficult to stay true to this path without taking the appropriate measures. This includes setting routine and self-correcting frameworks to prevent significant aberrations from said path. Research shows that an accountability partner, especially one with whom a person can relate, can be the best form of structure-enforcement. Additionally, there is no one-size-fits-all structure that works for everyone. Instead, using base templates and psychology research, I work with my mentee to find a structure that works for their characteristics and life circumstances.

03

Mindfulness

An orientation will give a person something to work toward: but who's to say they'll actually keep working? While a basic structure is good to optimise work habits, a person will regress into their old ways quickly without addressing the root cause: a lack of control over the mind. Thanks largely to the constant overstimulation in the digital age, mental mastery is an increasingly difficult characteristic to obtain. Thankfully, there are methods of training it, which can be built into the structure from Pillar 2 and rejuvenated by Pillar 1.