Key Takeaway: Create your own personal philosophy by first figuring out your vision for your life, core values, what inspires you, etc. - and then organizing the data into a written philosophy that you can review regularly.

Creating and buying into a personal philosophy works, as shown by Pete Carroll.

Here’s why:

• A personal philosophy allows you to be proactive with your life instead of reactive
• It focuses you on the true essentials and helps you to leave out the rest  
• It helps you get back on track towards your vision and goals if you ever get side-tracked  
• It guides you in your decision-making
• And most importantly, your philosophy will drive your actions, which, in turn, will create your results

How to Create Your Own Personal Philosophy

Creating your personal philosophy takes time.  

While I did create mine in one afternoon, I had already been collecting quotes, ideas, and notes on things that inspired me for about a year. What I did that afternoon was mainly organizing all of that content into a succinct and clear personal philosophy.

Here’s how you can create your own philosophy:

1. Ask yourself the tough questions – and answer them. Who are you at your core? What are your values? What do you stand for as a person? What is your vision? What are your goals (for your career and in life)? What inspires you? Who do you admire and why?
2. Start collecting quotes or ideas that really resonate with you. Read books, magazines, and blogs. Attend seminars and learn from the speakers. Meet with your mentors and find out what their values and philosophies are. And collect all of the information that resonates with you. You will need this data to create your philosophy.
3. Once you have answered the tough questions and collected your “data”, create your philosophy. Block out a chunk of time and organize your data into your own philosophy that really defines who you are at your core and serves as a guiding light for you to achieve your dreams.
4. Review your personal philosophy as often as possible. Once you’ve created your philosophy, it’s important to remind yourself of it as often as possible. Your philosophy should guide you in your decision-making and your actions – but it won’t do you any good if you don’t remember what it is. So review your philosophy on a consistent basis.

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(Photo Credit: Keith Allison via photopin cc)