Life can be described in a number of ways or viewed from different perspectives, whether personal or at a more societal or global level. Philosophers have struggled for centuries to make sense of life or to rationalize it in order to better understand its purpose.
I want to describe a simple model that I use in my life that has helped me in my thinking. I first used the term “Triadic Thinking” in my book, “The Success Playbook for Everyone.” The subtitle of that book is “The Keys to Success, Significance, and Legacy.”
I have always liked the concept of thinking in threes, and I believe that triadic thinking lends itself to describing life uniquely. I call my model the Triad of Life because it comprises the three elements in the subtitle of my book: Success, Significance, and Legacy. Let me briefly elaborate on each.
Success
Success is about personal development, growth, and achievement in life. It has many dimensions including wealth, health, and happiness, and it can include specific milestones in education, career, family, and lifestyle.
Success is easy to achieve, once you have a clear idea of what success means for you. And remember, do not let anyone determine what your success should be. That is your personal decision.
Success is primarily inner-directed and is mostly related to ego satisfactions of all kinds. Once we are well on the way to success, we should begin thinking about the concept of significance in life.
Significance
Significance is about contributing to the lives of your family and friends, as well as contributing to your community and your country. It is outer-directed, and the focus is on other people. The impact or effect you have on your family, friends, community, and country translates into your life legacy, once you depart this mortal coil.
Legacy
All of us should begin focusing on our life legacy, sooner rather than later. How do you wish to be remembered and for what do you wish to be remembered? What seven words would describe you and your life that you want to be inscribed on your tombstone? Once you can specify your desired legacy, the path to that legacy is far easier to travel.
I describe this life strategy as moving from success to significance to legacy. It can be a remarkable journey.
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Cordially,
Andrew J Guinosso