Most of the people refer to their lives as busy, productive, and full of activities, but there is a feeling that something is not quite connected. Various aspects of life begin to drag in different directions. Work may require one set of priorities, personal relationship another and long term goals something totally different. In the event that these pieces are not congruent, everyday life may be disjointed.
Having a coherent life does not imply that everything is well balanced or arranged. Rather, it implies that the various aspects of your life are coherent to each other. Your actions, goals, and values complement one another not competing against each other. Once such alignment is formed, individuals usually experience less internal strain and become more certain as to why they are doing what they are doing.
In some instances this process can start with people reevaluating the intersection of various spheres of life. Personal priorities, career goals, and financial decisions tend to mutually affect one another in intricate ways. A company owner, say, could consider the impact of financial strain on long term perspective and sustainability. During that process they can consider strategic changes, such as business debt relief as obligations start to restrict future opportunity. Making financial choices that make sense in terms of the bigger picture can also be a significant move towards living a more cohesive existence.
Coherence develops upon the individual fragments of life coming together rather than tearing asunder.
Why Life Can Be Fragmented
In the modern world, specialization is promoted. Human beings have various roles that they can assume based on the surrounding environment. Efficiency and productivity may be of the essence at work. Friends they are about connection and relaxation. At home they address the duties and personal interests. Such roles are quite natural, yet they are sometimes considered to be disconnective. Having the priorities in one aspect in life contradicting the other, it becomes hard to stay the same person.
To illustrate, a person who appreciates creativity may be employed in a setting that emphasizes set schedules. A different individual who appreciates time with his family may feel compelled to choose to be available at all times in the workplace. These tensions may eventually generate the impression that life is separated into disconnected fragments. Psychologists of meaning and identity tend to refer to coherence as a significant constituent of well-being.
A study outlined in the Greater Good Science Center examines the role of a sense of purpose and coherence in life satisfaction. People are likely to be more satisfied when the experiences are related to a bigger story, people tend to feel more fulfilled. The initial step to building alignment is the understanding of the sources of fragmentation.
Values Present the Framework
Identifying core values is one of the surest methods of establishing coherence. Values are guiding principles that affect decisions in various spheres of life, In cases where values are unclear or unassessed, choices will tend to react to short term demands and not long term goals. Work, social, and financial pressures might pull the attention in various ways.
Dilucidating values gives a paradigm that ties these choices. Rather than judging decisions individually, individuals start to question whether a decision can contribute to what is important. Values that are common and determine coherence of life include:
- Individual development and education.
- Good social connections and society.
- Economic freedom and security.
- Creativity and self-expression
- Health and well being.
These values do not have to be in opposition to one another. Rather, they are able to make decisions that can inform decisions in such a manner that various spheres of life can support common priorities.
Everyday Deeds Build the Greater Story
Life transitions do not create a coherent life with some rare dramatic choices. It develops in small steps that favor bigger purposes. Habits that people use on a daily basis are relevant in this process. Routines foster the relationship between intention and action when they coincide with individual priorities. These minor actions strengthen the course of action of an individual over time.
As an illustration, a person who values learning can invest time on a regular basis in reading or mastering new skills. An individual who values relationships may always seek to have time to have meaningful dialogues. One who is concerned with long term financial security might look into budgets or investment plans frequently.
All these actions are part of a story in which various aspects of life reinforce each other with the same purpose.
The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy discusses the similar concepts by addressing the concept of the concept of meaning and coherence in human life. Philosophers frequently stress that meaning becomes apparent when the experiences are linked to a larger system of values and objectives.
Once priorities are portrayed in the daily behavior of the people, life starts to feel more integrated.
Reducing Internal Conflict
The decrease of internal conflict is one of the advantages of construction of coherence. When behavior is in conflict with individual values, individuals tend to feel tension or be uncertain about their choices.
As an example, a person that appreciates the balance could be out of place working too many hours without time to relax or even relationship. An individual who values creativity may be limited in a workplace that does not encourage exploration.
It is not necessary to do away with all conflicts in order to create coherence. There will always be tradeoffs in life. Nevertheless, the occurrence and severity of such conflicts are fewer when the major decisions are aligned with core values.
People will no longer ask themselves whether or not they are heading in the correct direction, they will be certain that the decisions they make are based on what is most important.
Developing Systems that facilitate Alignment
The other useful strategy is to create systems that promote coherence. Systems are routines, schedules and structures that define everyday life. These systems minimize work effort needed to keep pace with long term objectives when they promote personal values.
Such supportive systems are:
- Setting up of a regular time to perform activities that help in personal development.
- Developing financial plans that portray long term priorities.
- Establishing work-life separation.
- Healing habits that help in supporting both physical and emotional health.
These frameworks translate abstract values into action. In the long run, they assist in making sure that the various aspects of life are not separated but instead they are held together.
A Life That Makes Sense With
Creating a sensemaking life is not about simplifying, or having balance. Rather, it entails slowly making the experiences, ambitions and everyday activities supportive of a common course. Life starts to feel less fragmented when values are used to make decisions and daily behaviors are used to support the values.
Various roles and responsibilities begin to complement each other as opposed to competing. What has come out is not a well-organized life but a meaningful life.
Every choice is part of a bigger narrative that represents the most important things. In the course of time, this feeling of alignment leads to a higher sense of clarity and fulfillment.
