Mind-hacks: Transcending the Petty

As human beings, we tend to overly concern ourselves with trivial matters that yield no long-term fulfilment. This is because of the complexity of the mind which makes us susceptible to being “petty” once we lose direction in our lives.

The key to ‘transcending the petty’ lies not in our ability to focus on and tackle each trivial matter in our lives, but to understand the true nature of these small obstacles in the face of something greater. Most of our social-related anxieties are self-inflicted, that is, we have allowed the problem to manifest by giving it plenty of room in our minds.

In truth, our minds should not be so easily tainted with dark thoughts about our social lives or what others think of us, and the only reason it turns out that way is our minds are emptier than we think. In today’s society full of distractions and plenty to “think” about, we are dillusioned into believing we have alot on our minds.

If this was indeed the case, and our minds were indeed filled with as much content as we believe it to be, then there is no way we would have room for something so petty to make its way in. For example, if you had a big, career-defining project on your mind that needed to be delivered by tonight, would you even give the time of day to that person who looked at you funny on the streets, or that cashier who did not say “thank you for coming?”

No, because these day-to-day encounters have now, in your mind, received the status of being petty. You now have something you are working on, which is occupying your mind, and means alot to you, hence, you do not take outside matters too seriously, as they do not directly affect your goal.

Adding to this, once your mind truly is in a state of focus towards something that matters deeply to you, it will almost come as a shock at how you completely misjudged the extent to which your mind was previously occupied. Human beings are wired to solve-problems, and if you are not using your mind’s power towards doing big things in life, it will be wasted overly-criticising your social relationships and other smaller parts of life.

Indeed, this is where the importance of goal-setting kicks in, and having a big enough vision to keep yourself happy, busy and focused on what matters. Humans are ever-changing, ever-evolving creatures and you can waste your efforts trying to fix relationships that are not meant for you, or you can get on with it and make big dreams for yourself.

Let us stop using our minds for “the petty”, and let us transcend our animalistic, tribal senses and really make something legendary of ourselves. Write down your goals, make moves towards your visions, feel the bliss everytime you envision your life as where you want it to be, and act on it!