I do think there are a lot of factors that are out of my control. I have just come to the conclusion that my life will always be a disappointment and not because of my actions but the actions of others. I think this makes sense, as it happens to innocent people in wars and so forth.

But when you look at a human being’s destiny from the perspective of the universe, it’s a lot different from looking at a human being’s destiny through our own eyes. We can control our destiny in our lifetime but it’s only for so long. After that, our destiny may be controlled by some other greater force that is beyond ourselves.

I agree that nothing comes to people who never take action, but for those who do take action, their destiny awaits them.

As defined, destiny is beyond your control, and as you say, you’ll create your own destiny. But I don’t understand – why does destiny have to always be viewed as something contrary to what one actually wants in life?

Destiny is also supposed to be predetermined and inevitable, yet proponents of your idea always assume that by making a choice, they’re going against destiny. What’s the difference between, for example, your parents pushing you your whole life to be a doctor but then you become an engineer instead, when your destiny could have foretold that you were going to become an engineer instead of the doctor your parents wanted?

It’s not that I’m against making individuating choices. I’m all for it. I just don’t understand the bad connotation associated with the word “destiny” and the default assumption that whenever you have a thought, it’s going against your destiny.

Then again, I define destiny as the sum of our choices. I disagree to the extent that the actor is the only one who chooses.

There are events that are outside our individual control and how we react to them shapes our destiny. But the idea that our lives are completely driven by our wills is arrogant at best.

The job I have now is the best possible job for my interests and skillset but I got it after being cold-called by a recruiter. Have I seized the opportunity I was given? Yes. Did I create that opportunity? Not by myself.

Whether you want to call that luck, fate, destiny or some fourth thing is more a matter of semantics than a statement of metaphysical fact.

It’s funny that you think destiny means:

sit on my hands
indecisive
lazy
fearful
deluded
comfort
self-limiting
mumbo-jumbo

A lot in the way of loaded words.

It seems like a seemingly lazy understanding of destiny. What about the potential for destiny to provide the motivation that you need to fulfill it?

Americans believed in Manifest Destiny. That they were destined for greatness and an expansion of the nation from coast to coast. They made it happen.

Your unwavering belief in the greatness of your destiny can focus your actions to achieve what you believe will happen. There’s something powerful in that.

Try to keep an open mind, Craig. What’s with the chip on your shoulder regarding “destiny”? Those that believe destiny requires inaction are those that are destined for nothing.

@SIE – Turning new concepts into habits is another post entirely. I agree that it’s hard to see people get excited about a bit of advice only to walk away and forget what they’d intended to do. Some act though, and those are the ones I celebrate most.

@Dan – I think that trend spotting you mention is very, very hard for most people. When they’re happy at work, it’s easily forgotten and the daily grind soon wears them back into groveling whiners.

@EAE – There’s been quite a backlash against multi-tasking in recent years. Perhaps because people have let PDA’s and the like take up too much of their attention? I think there’s a balance to be found. We need not all be one-track Suzies in order to be effective workers.

@Phil – Thanks! Facebook is a killer. Batch those outputs! =)

“you’re so lucky to have/do this/that/the other”

Erm, not really, I kinda had to work my backside off to get it, luck didn’t really play a factor.

Without doubt the best post I’ve read on this topic. I love your idea on the tick boxes for interruptions. Thanks for sharing your powerful ideas which are so practical. Now to Facebook….

Phil