Developing Your Moral Compass

The word “goodness” might conjure up images of old Victorian England, but it can also be used to describe a solid base from which you can live a happy, ethical lifestyle. This blog post is all about goodness and how you can develop it in order to use as it as your lifestyle guide.

Using Goodness as Your Guide

The principles of the ancient philosopher Aristotle can be used as a blueprint of how to live your life. You can use goodness as a sort of compass that can show you which is the right way to go through life.

This concept is not new. Using a moral compass is something that people have talked about for centuries; at least in terms of civilized society. The idea is to establish a sense of goodness and allow it to flourish and lead you to follow the right path.

What Does Right Mean?

Right, in the context of goodness, is not about describing a general course of action. It's about a specific course of action or path that is right for you, your personal beliefs and standards, and that accords with the good life that Aristotle refers to.

Fundamentally, this moral compass will point to an existence that nurtures your existence and will permit you to act humanely and have little or no regrets of your thoughts and actions through life.

Determining Where You Are

One way of learning how to become more aware of your moral compass and to progress towards your goof life goal is to appreciate what it is that you do not do as well as you should. Superman’s weakness was Kryptonite. What’s yours?

Does any of this apply to you?

• Do you prevaricate about making decisions?
• Do you spend too much time thinking instead of acting?
• Could it be that you act too spontaneously?
• Do you contemplate the results of your actions and decisions?
• Are you swayed by other people?
• Are you guilty of sticking too rigidly to your own thoughts?

It is, of course, essential to appreciate what other people think, but you mustn’t let this affect your own judgment.

When you’ve acknowledged your faults, you can then set about using that moral compass of yours to correct them.

Putting Your Moral Compass to Use

When you make use of your moral compass, you will be able to come to conclusions using your emotions and your logic. It is key that you take both into the equation. There are three steps you need to understand about making use of your moral compass to make conclusions and take actions.

Do Your Research Properly

When pondering what actions to take you should first ask yourself what it is that you must first know in order to make an informed decision. You must take onboard:

Things you have encountered in the past in similar circumstances, considering good and bad outcomes.

Appreciating What Needs to be Done

Understanding how your values when you apply them can improve a situation and your own standing too.

Asking yourself these questions will facilitate your understanding of any situation and assist you in coming to the right decision in a given circumstance. You must, of course, be totally open and honest with yourself in terms of your own abilities and how your decisions have affected outcomes in previous situations. We all make mistakes. The crucial thing is to learn from them so that they are not repeated.

According to the great Albert Einstein, madness is about repeating certain actions and expecting them to have different outcomes.

Your research isn’t something that should take overly long. It only takes minutes, but at the end of the day, you must remember that it's not how long the process takes but knowing that you have considered everything that is important.

Analyzing Your Research

Once you’ve completed your research you must now analyze its importance and relevance. Having done this you will then need to think about which course of action not only accords with your own belief and principles but also will have the best effect on you and any people in question.

You must always keep an open mind. Don’t close your mind to involving others. There will be times when you are faced with difficult questions and you are not quite certain as to the best way forward. Talking to others can help as long as you make your own decision. Don’t allow them to sway you away from what you feel is right. Just one thing to bear in mind and that doesn’t allow hesitation to prevent you reaching a decision.

Practicing Goodness

When all is said and done, practicing goodness means balancing things. You need to equate reason and emotion. You need to consider your own need and the needs of those around you. You need to balance being pragmatic and finding the perfect answer.

Your best way of achieving the right balance is to fully appreciate what it is that you should be doing in each situation or set of circumstances. Draw from your experience to know how to act and what your actions effects will be of you and others both practically and emotionally.

All that remains is trying to ensure that your decisions and actions accord with your own principles and values.

Wrap Up

Your conclusions and the following actions will impact on others in some way. The actual way that you act, whether it is bold, firm, gentle or with care will also affect other people. Don’t forget that your actions will have an effect on you too. Remember that the action you do end-up taking should also complement your own ideals.

If you are someone who does tend to hesitate, you must counteract this by making quick decisions and putting them into practice straight away.

You should, however, always remain aware that you may not know everything. It may not be possible to do so. It does mean that whatever decision you make, there will always be a certain amount of risk.

Gregg Swanson is a peak performance consultant and human potential coach and has authored several books and numerous articles on peak performance. Gregg specializes in developing mental strength in individuals that desire to reach their full potential. He has developed a unique online training program “Develop the Mental Strength of a Warrior.” You can also pick up your free eBook,” Why Change is So Hard” by going HERE.