Success & Worldview

What is a worldview?

It is the overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world and includes the accumulation of beliefs about life and the universe held by an individual or a group.

Having read about worldview in books like Deepak Chopra’s Life After Death: The Burden of Proof and The Divine Matrix: Bridging Time, Space, Miracles, and Belief by Gregg Braden, I realized there may be many great ideas filtered away from my mind by my worldview. To maintain my positive attitude in our global world, I realized my worldview is causing me to have some serious hang-ups toward certain religious and ethnic groups. I know I must overcome these ideas, because every time something is said in the news or in conversation about these problems, I become so incensed I can think of nothing else. It takes quite an effort to calm down and a lot of valuable time is lost. I must make some substantial changes in my worldview, but how? Some answers I found are related here. Perhaps they will help you change your own thinking in ways that will benefit whatever you are trying to do and create a better life for you.

Part of Chopra’s argument for life after death includes ideas from quantum physics, including some concepts many find hard to believe, but all those that have been reduced to mathematics have been proven correct.
Quantum physics views a world where man is part of a seamless life where all are completely united with the surrounding universe. “Bell’s Theorem” offers proof that such a relationship actually exists. It was first proposed in 1964 and later experimentally confirmed by a professor at Berkley. The ultimate effect of this theorem is every part of the universe has enough information within itself to recreate the form and structure of the universe. This means each of us has all the information in the universe at our disposal. We just haven’t exactly figured how to use it properly.

A major player in our ability to utilize information from the universe is the mind. Many will think the mind and brain are identical; not so. The mind and the brain are not the same thing.

The mind receives gazillions of bits of information from every source throughout the universe each second. Only a very small amount of this information can be used and the mind determines how much of this information will be allowed at any one point in time. The brain then acts like the servant of the mind and executes the mind’s commands based on this information. The magnitude of the mind and brain functions while processing information is amazing. There has to be a way for the brain to handle all the information the mind delivers. The brain does this using its one trillion or so neurons (each of which may be connected to up to 1,000 other such cells). The brain activates links (synapses) between neurons. If each activation is equated with executing a digital instruction, the brain can execute about ten million billion such instructions every second. This theory connects the mental world of perceptions, beliefs, desires, thinking, feeling, intending to do something, etc. (all the elements of worldview), with the brain and thus provides a solution to the mind-body problem. “The mind is what the brain does.”

So much information could cause chaos if the mind were to try and use all of it. After all, we’re talking about the sum of all information in the entire universe. So the mind has developed ways to limit what gets through to the brain. The mind uses filters to exclude what it considers to be unusable knowledge. Where do these filters originate?

The mind’s filter system is built around an individual’s worldview. This is a system developed by each of us from the environment and culture surrounding the person. These filters can be modified over time with much effort. The thing to remember is they are an obstruction between you and the vast knowledge of the universe. This is why worldview needs to be modified frequently in today’s ever-changing world

The Divine Matrix says the problem with unconventional thinking is that it often leads into areas that do not coincide with one’s belief system (worldview). These systems do need to be modified enough to allow acceptance of enough new ideas to make our lives more rewarding and our businesses more successful. You don’t need to accept everything new because some of it is not true and won’t work. Pick as much of the information as may be useful to you and disregard the rest. Many scientists are beginning to believe we, ourselves, are the PRIME participants in the creation of our every day life and the universe as a whole. We are not passive bystanders while the Big Bang blows by us. To benefit from this idea of active participation, changes in our world view are needed.

Matrix restates the idea that we build a wall of filters that prevent some of the best scraps of universal knowledge from entering our minds. If we could lower these barriers, who knows what new and wonderful bits of information the eternal universe might throw our way? Imagine the benefits for personal living as well as successful ways to conduct our businesses. We are home-based entrepreneurs with no staff to advise us, so we must be our own best teachers. This is why we must do whatever is needed to snare some of the billions of spectacular information bits available to our minds every second.

“Worldviews – An Introduction” says your worldview includes everything and all events in the world as you relate to them, and encompasses past, present, and future. It gives life a purpose and also provides an outlook or expectation for the world as it exists or is perceived to exist. It becomes the source of your goals and desires, and as such, it shapes your behavior and values. Worldview includes reality creators or particular ways of looking at the world like science, religion, mysticism, poetry, music, literature, and art. Each of these represents a particular way of seeing reality and thus determining what is seen by an individual.
Worldview is a strong determinant of actions.

Differences in worldview are typically of critical importance in disputes which arise over conflicting values, ethical concerns, societal stresses, technology assessment, environmental or quality of life issues, etc. Conflicts involving complex issues, communication difficulties, and deep-seated, often unknown, differences in worldview are always difficult to resolve. The people on opposing sides feel threatened by the other side; they may feel that their sense of identity, cherished beliefs, or way of life is being attacked. An interesting finding for me involves the act of laughing. I have frequently been accused of making a small laughing noise at times when things are serious and not funny. It’s true, I do this. Finally I know why: a situation has arisen that my worldview did not expect, or that conflicts with my worldview. This causes a mental disconnect resulting in my laughter. It may not mean much to anyone else, but it illustrates how worldview can affect actions in even the smallest ways. For entrepreneurial success, these small worldview influences are important because they affect everything you do and what you think about everything.

Worldview can be studied using 80 themes that apply to many groups of people. Any individual can be influenced by several of these themes listed here. A few themes especially applicable to home-based entrepreneurs are reviewed here.

Mysticism/Magic—Contrary to normal thought, the perception of discrete objects and the passage of time are illusions. Some believing in this theme feel grasped by a power not their own; a few claim experiencing mystical union with God! Many mystics feel they possess the “ability to alter one’s consciousness at will” or “they use means such as incantations, amulets, and ritual.” Both are needed to discuss the concept of magic.

The Golden Rule, Village of Mutual Help—All human beings are precious, special, and worthy of treatment based on The Golden Rule: that is, treat others as you would want them to treat you. I don’t lie, cheat, steal, discriminate, or arbitrarily restrict, because I don’t want people doing this to me. I help others because someday I may need help. For many the universal ethical principle known as the Golden Rule is the basis for absolute morality.

Struggling with a basic need: Self Esteem—I’m struggling to find the road to emotional maturity and make peace with myself. I seek a sense of my own intrinsic value, self respect, confidence in my ability to handle life, and being able to enjoy it in relaxed fashion. Often I feel unworthy, that I can’t cope, that I’m a failure; being too concerned about what others think of me; anxiety, fear, and self doubt control me. Some lose the battle, descending into bitterness and self hatred. Others compensate by doing things for others. A few find the strength to change and grow.

Economic individualism—Market system transactions involve participants rationally considering various options and freely making decisions based on economic self interest. The right to pursue self interest is morally defensible and the right to own private property should be protected by law. Market system exchanges are voluntary; the only legal coercion is mandated by the government.

Elitism/Authoritarianism—I have problems with democracy. I think most people are ill-prepared to decide what is best for society. Society is best served by a select group of clear-sighted, capable leaders or experts. Only those obediently willing to submit to the authority of the leader(s) would be comfortable with this system.

Self-reliant non-conformity/Working for change—I believe in myself: in my mind, in my skills, in the importance of the work I do, in what’s inside my heart, in my sense of right and wrong, and in my ability to cope with whatever life throws at me. A motto for the self reliant is, “If it is to be, it’s up to me.”

Cynicism/conspiracism—Once I thought people could be trusted, had good intentions, were caring, decent, honorable—I now know better. Most people are lazy, mean, corrupt, and immoral. I was once more accepting and forgiving; now I am critical, finding fault with much of what people do and say.

Global vision: The big picture—A global view is in contrast to narrow worldviews tightly confined to the center of a space and closed to much outside that space. I know that, increasingly, global interdependencies link me to people and events in remote places that affect living things and the environment. The future consequences of what we do must be considered before we act.

Sustainability/Enoughness—Economies should be based on people and environmentally friendly technologies, renewable energy use, and resource recycling. Health should be gauged by indicators of sustainability and human well being. Some people who calculate sustainability will value “enoughness”—and embrace a lifestyle based on a “small is beautiful” philosophy.

Environmental economics—Assessing economic health must necessarily factor in environmental health. Very efficient industrial activities that resemble natural processes with matter recycling in closed systems should be “winners”; wasteful ones should be economic “losers.” Markets providing incentive for environmental good and investment in restoring and protecting natural capital should be encouraged.
Which of these themes, or those in the full list, are ideas that might influence your thinking? Would you want to add any of these to your worldview? What about removing one or two? Study these themes and, if there are any modifications to your worldview indicated, pay attention to the following discussion about ways to alter worldview.

There is a deep discussion of altering worldview here. It comes from a religious point of view but non-religious thinking is also considered. Many discussions of worldview in the US will connect to religious discussion because of the perceived way the country began founded on Christian principles.
One’s worldview may remain constant throughout one’s entire life, but more often there will be some changes brought about consciously or unconsciously as life goes on. Exposure to new ways of thinking through education may enable changes in worldview. Events and experiences, especially those not expected, often cause dramatic changes in outlook. Similar changes can occur with exposure to different cultural ideas, a move to a new geographical area, or significant tragedy or success. Many other events may influence the way one thinks of life and the meaning of things and a person’s worldview could change as a result. It is very difficult to impose a new worldview on another person. This is best accomplished by coercion of some kind and, even if the person says their view is changed, they may continue to hold their original belief privately. We are not discussing imposing a belief on anyone else.

Freethought is the word religionists call the current departure from the tradition and authority of organized religion. With people of religious backgrounds any change in worldview could involve thought about divine entities. No such presence is there for freethinkers to worry about; some worldview issues can be resolved easier by this group.

Sulana Stone, personal life coach, suggests “3 Keys To Fulfill Your Wildest Dreams.” She advocates taking a radical approach to life. Nonconformists are open to action options that enable people to achieve goals and desires in ways others can’t see. She relates this to the worldview of natives when Columbus first arrived in the New World. The locals had never seen nor heard of anything like the large sailing ships in their harbor. They could not see what was not included in their view of the world. There has to be some kind of mythmaker, like a shaman or medicine man of old, to implant a new “myth” into the thinking pattern so new ideas can be accepted. So it is with worldview.

Stone’s three keys are these:

1. Look for a different pattern, like “a disturbance in the force” from the Star Wars movie. Even if you are unable to see the ships, as Columbus’s islanders, they make strange wave patterns that can eventually lead the observant person to see ships.

2. Don’t trust your mind. Your mind only sees things it is used to from its culture, or worldview. Limited by this belief system, the mind is totally unaware of the boundless opportunities of a world full of unfiltered possibilities.

3. Remain open to new opportunities exposed by some different pattern in reality. The islanders noticed the unusual waves, opened to the possibility of what might cause them, and eventually were able to see the ships.
Don’t limit yourself with your belief system. Use these three techniques to remove the filters from your mind and expose you to limitless opportunities.

What does all this have to do with entrepreneurial success? Your worldview influences thinking about products, services, and target markets. The Internet allows a home-based entrepreneur to conduct business as if it were a global giant corporation, right from the kitchen table. So, to be most successful, every entrepreneur most be globally oriented. Their worldview must not be clouded by any sort of ethnic or religious bias.

For example, how do you feel about the Chinese? They probably bring up the idea of ultra cheap labor that has taken away many US businesses. They also have a very restrictive Internet policy making it difficult to get to citizens in the country. Labor costs and other production increases, however, are beginning to open opportunities for US companies. The problem is, according to Business Week, a lot of producers here are so restrictive in their requirements for any unfamiliar goods that several new entrepreneurs here have had to go to the Chinese for production. Look into this very large opportunity and you may find some small niche you can fill.

The same is true of India. This country may bring up the image of offshoring US jobs, but many of these are customer service and there are few US customers who would rather talk to someone in Mumbai than in Kansas. Find an inexpensive way to do the duties being sent to offshore workers and you will make a ton of money; you might be able to outsource some work and still provide the end result in a cost-effective manner, such as accounting functions and the like.

Now, consider the Muslim population which encompasses over 22% of the world’s population. They are not yet a significant national market in the US, though there are some local concentrations. The Western European nations, however, are flooded. These people have some religious customs with respect to doing business and eating which require a drastically different approach, but the potential market is so large, a different worldview might make you rich!

The same reasoning may be applied to any ethnic, religious, or cultural group anywhere in the world. And don’t overlook the developing countries; small business is widely considered a way out of poverty for millions who now exist on pennies a day. Home-based entrepreneurs must be able to identify their own worldview characteristics that could adversely affect their business and see what they can do to change them. It will take time and effort and still may not succeed, but it could also result in unbelievable success.

Study the resources we have discussed, go to the numerous external references provided and learn what they have to say. You will need to customize these ideas to fit your own requirements. Don’t try to do exactly what someone says you should do. None of these “experts” has all the answers to anything, but because we’re all connected with everything that has been or will be in our universe, a satisfactory solution should become evident from among all the possibilities that will become evident.