“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” Steve Jobs

The noise of the external world is muting the sound of the internal world and therefore our intuition pays the price.

What moments do we have in the day to connect within? How much time do we give to listen to our internal voice? To the desires that I believe guide us in living a life more beautifully and purposefully.

There is so much distraction in the modern life that it is no wonder people are dissatisfied. And I say this not with a hunch but by understanding the statistics. If this stat is true – only 13% of people are engaged in their work – what are the other 87% of people like? And why?

Peoples happiness and satisfaction in life should be a universal measure of a societies well-being. Instead, we use measures like Gross Domestic Product, GDP. However, some countries actually now have such a measure it’s called Gross National Happiness, GNH.

My point here is that if we do not measure something we will not be able to see the affect it has. If we are drowning in the external noise that has captured society then how can we measure our own satisfaction? What truly makes us happy. I’d suggest that we can’t.

If we can adopt practices to reduce the external noise and create greater awareness perhaps then will we be able to tap into our intuition? The same intuition that can guide us to deeper satisfaction and happiness in life.

External noise is everything that is unnecessary. The things we do that put chaos into our days for no real reason. The stuff we buy and crave that only clutters our lives and slows us down – restricting our freedom. Thoughts that flow from too much information that consumes our mindless culture. A mind too busy to hear. Remove that and perhaps then will we better be able to listen.

Further Reading and Resources 

TED Talks: Ideas worth spreading

Psychology Today: Psychology Today is devoted exclusively to everybody’s favourite subject – Ourselves

Life Hack: Tips for Life

Elite Daily: The Voice of Generation Y

Four Hour Work Week: How to escape the 9-5, live anywhere and join the new rich.

The Minimalists: How to pursue a minimalist lifestyle and be happier.

Mind Hacks: Tips and Tricks for Using Your Brain

Rich Roll: Plantpowered Wellness Advocate

The Art of Charm: Build confidence, feel comfortable and networking differently.

American Psychological Association: The largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United State

The Art of Manliness: Encouraging men to be better husbands, fathers, brothers, citizens.

Tiny Buddha: Simple wisdom for complex lives.

Brain Pickings: An inventory of cross-disciplinary interestingness, spanning art, science, design, history, philosophy, and more.

Mind Body Green: Lifestyle media brand dedicated to inspiring you to live your best life.

Zen Habits: Find simplicity and mindfulness in life.

Creative NonFiction: “true stories well told.” 

Addicted 2 Success: Motivation & Inspiration Website full of quotes and inspiring articles for entrepreneurs.

Barking Up the Wrong Tree: science-based answers and expert insight on how to be awesome at life.

The Positivity Blog: Practical articles on happiness, self-esteem, productivity and social skills.

Coaching