Life's Operating System

The classic definition of a system is that it is a set of procedures or operations that are used to achieve a specific result.  We don’t think of our lives as having an operating system and in fact I would argue that most people do not see the value of understanding their inherent system.  What we often see instead is that we have desires or even goals but no systems. Goals are important, but a goal does not help us to understand how to achieve the desired result.  A system is required to move us forward incrementally to results we desire.  Understanding your system is an important hack.

I think that it would be beneficial to view life from the perspective of having an operating system.  For the sake of simplicity lets call this Life Operating System or LiOS.  As I thought about this I began to wonder if there would be versions of this operating system.  I have concluded that there should be.  As we mature it is likely that we would use different versions of an operating system.  As an example in the earliest stages of life version 1 would include the very basics of life learning such as learning to sleep, talk and walk.  In our early learning years we might be using OS 2.  Adolescence would bring on OS 3 while adulthood might be OS 4, etc.  Each version would include features that build upon the previous versions yet the upgrades would be essential to our continuum of growth and maturity.  

I am well over 50.  By my rough estimate I am now utilizing LiOS 7.  If you are wondering, I do not imagine that there would be ten versions.  In LiOS 7 there are a number of key features.  In this version those fortunate enough to have established a career and family are also likely very busy.  This version comes with features to manage that busyness.  Features include the ability to reduce distractions, connectedness, and awareness of the need for renewal,  Another feature is the ability to maintain relevance.

If we assume that we are all users of our respective operating systems then it becomes important to learn the features and benefits of that system.  Here is what I have learned about LiOS 7.  Experience, wisdom and hope are key features. Exercise and diet are also features.  Not every feature of this system is positive.  While there would be an inclination to call these negative features bugs, I have just come to recognize that like most operating systems we are likely to not want all the features that are built in.  One such reality is that the system does come to an end.  This is one constant in all versions.

What do you think are other features of this operating system?  How might this approach benefit our thinking?  Finally, what are you doing to master your system.