Is Your Operating System Out-Of-Date? 4-Steps To Find Out And Keep It Updated
If you are anything like me, you might not even know what the hell an operating system is.
Well, here's an ‘Operating System for Dummies’ definition:
An operating system is the most important piece of software that runs on your computer (macOS, Windows, Linux) or phone (iOS, Android).
I’m guessing you’ve at least heard of these.
An operating system manages your devices' memory and processes, as well as all of its software and hardware.
It also allows you to communicate with the device without knowing how to speak the computer's language. Without an operating system, a device is useless.
Picture your brain as a sophisticated operating system—version 1.0, if you will.
This metaphorical operating system governs every aspect of your life: from your physical health and mental well-being to your relationships and purpose. Though you might know yourself, you might not necessarily know how to directly communicate with all of these internal processes.
Like any other software, it requires regular updates, fixes, and optimizations to function at its best.
However, we aren’t synced into an unified network.
We don’t get regular ‘Automatic Updates’ to notify us that our operating system is out-of-date.
This process has to be done manually.
Step 1: Identify
Just as a software update identifies bugs and performance issues, self-awareness and introspection allows us to pinpoint areas of improvement within ourselves.
Take stock of your habits, thought patterns, and behaviors.
What are you consuming (watching, listening, viewing)?
What are you focusing on (work, relationships, health)?
How many things do you have currently going on in your life (activities, obligations, events, workload)?
Where do your priorities lie (what are you actually doing)?
These are the number of tabs you have open on your internet browser and all of the other programs you have running at the same time.
It might look different each day.
Step 2: Audit
After you do a self-assessment, you need to audit these processes.
Find out what is working and what is slowing your operating system down.
How many tabs do you have open at all times?
How many things are you doing all at once?
Are you focusing on the things that are the most important to you or is everything meshed together?
Most importantly – can your operating system handle everything you are running?
Find out what needs to be addressed, fixed, and updated.
Do you need to shut some programs down or open some new ones?
How can you upgrade your software or hardware to handle the capacity you require?
By conducting this internal audit, you lay the groundwork for fixes and improvements.
Step 3: Update
Just as outdated software can slow down a computer, too many tabs can drain your energy and hinder your growth.
Because of this you need to update your software and hardware.
This looks a lot like surrounding yourself with individuals who uplift and inspire you. Cultivating meaningful connections that nourish your soul and propel you toward your goals. Spending a proportional amount of time in direct link with your priorities. Eliminating toxic behaviors or people. Working on your physical and mental well-being so your body(hardware) can tolerate the workload required.
This is the same as our devices:
Introduce new features * create new habits and actions *
Fix the bugs * eliminate the problems *
Upgrade your hardware * be relentless with your physical health and well-being *
Align your actions with your values, and watch your sense of fulfillment skyrocket and operating system function at its peak performance.
Step 4: Refresh
Of course, no discussion on upgrading your operating system would be complete without addressing the importance of doing this over-and-over again.
No operating system lasts forever.
As humans, we too require regular maintenance and prioritization. Upgrading from 1.0 to 1.1 helps, but in a year's time, you’ll already be out-of-date.
Our operating system needs to be upgraded regularly and often. If you wait to long you might get left behind.
1.6 to 2.0 is manageable and still incremental.
However, 1.0 directly to 4.0 is a huge feat, and potentially problematic.
The journey of upgrading your operating systems begins with recognizing that you are the architect of your own operating system.
You have control and can systematically upgrade your internal software to lead a more fulfilling and impactful life.
Don’t get stuck in 1.0
Keep going.
Tim
Author of Mastery Monday
Student & Founder
