Written by: Tom Paine, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
An Architect’s work shows inspiring designs, detailed blueprints, and a vision of future construction. But should the practice of architecture be limited to buildings only? I believe that we can be the architect of our own life. With the right mindset, we can design our dream future.
Becoming your own Life Architect starts with the belief that you have the power to choose your path. For example, if I decide not to go into the office today, then I can make that choice. I may get fired for not turning up to work, but I always maintain the power not to show up.
Extend this one step further, and you can choose to change your career. Becoming an astronaut tomorrow maybe a little unrealistic, but deciding to spend more time working on something that is fulfilling, more exciting to you is within your grasp.
Let’s look at how a regular architect works with a new client. They will start by asking specific
questions; how do you want the building to look? How should it make you feel? What are the essential features to be included in the design?
Try asking yourself the same questions, but this time reflect on your life. Suddenly, you will start to take a different outlook on what’s achievable and what you truly want.
Feeling Trapped
It’s certainly not uncommon to feel trapped in the game of life. Our careers, financial
commitments, and families can make us feel stuck, without options. Sometimes it feels like we
don’t have the power to change. It can be hard to face up to your belief system, layer upon layer of negative thoughts on what is possible: I can’t change my career. That’s all I’ve ever done. We can’t move from the area, we’ve made too many roots, and so on.
The Power of Choice
What you need to know is that you do have a choice. Free will is something that nobody can take away from you. And with consistent action in the desired area, you have the power to change your circumstance. You can start to change your life, one step at a time, today.
How do you become a Life Architect?
If you are at the point where you have decided that enough is enough and need to redesign your life, then a transformation process is inevitable. Next up is a period of reflection, self-questioning, and soul searching.
Becoming a Life Architect starts with asking yourself the right questions. The answers to your dream future will quickly appear once you reconnect with your passions, skills, and dreams. After that, you can start to focus on designing your life the way that you want it.
Creating a life based on Values
Living by a clear value system gives you greater control over the choices you make. Surprisingly, so many people live their lives under someone else’s value system, and in some cases, they have no conscious values at all.
I’ve seen people living a double life, split by separate value systems. At home, their family values are evident and regularly upheld. In the workplace, however, their value system is
compromised, accepting of behavior that goes against their firmly held beliefs.
I prioritize the value of family time above anything else. If I find myself in a situation
that clashes with this value, I walk away from that situation very quickly, with a polite no
thanks. Establishing our value system is a critical first step before designing our life blueprint.
How do I start the journey?
So, you’re now at the point where you want to create your future, design your life, and write your blueprint. What next? Well, you need to recognize what you’re not happy with. Understanding what you’re not is the first step to understanding who you are and what you stand for.
Start by asking those Architectural questions, challenge yourself to think big: What inspires me?
What am I naturally great at? What would I do if I knew that failure wasn’t an option?
Engaging with a Life Coach at this stage can be invaluable. Having a trained professional listen to your challenges has been proven to speed up the process of personal transformation. Sharing your story with friends and family can get you on the right path too. The path to starting designing your future is waiting!
Tom Paine, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Tom Paine is a Certified Life Coach, offering expertise in resilience, confidence growth, and relationship management. Professionally, Tom spent ten years working in the Recruitment sector. He built an excellent reputation as a specialist IT Consultant, eventually becoming a Business Manager, leading sales teams responsible for £8m annual turnover for global and SME organizations, relocating to London and Manchester. Tom’s sales team operated at 18 staff at its peak, ranging from Junior Consultants to Principals, Managers, and Team Leaders.
Tom coaches people based on their needs, supporting them to overcome restrictions in their life. Tom's clients experience a renewed sense of confidence, well-being, and energy, enabling them to take control of their lives, to start living with happiness and fulfillment. He blends corporate experience, spirituality, and goal setting to fantastic effect.
