GUIDE PART 1

Template Guide part 1

VSM Step 1 Guide: Individual Focus (System 5 and System 1 Alignment)

This guide is designed for personal use, to help you understand and align your daily activities (System 1) with your core identity and purpose (System 5). By following these steps, you will review your current tasks, evaluate how they reflect your identity, and make adjustments where needed to ensure alignment.

Step 1: Define Your Identity (System 5)

System 5 in the VSM defines identity, your purpose, and core values. Start by reflecting on what shapes who you are and how you see yourself.

1.1 Philosophies and Paradigms

  • Philosophies: Write down any guiding belief systems that form your worldview (e.g., Stoicism, existentialism, pragmatism). • Example: “I believe in living with purpose and clarity, driven by minimalist values.” • Paradigms: List any conceptual frameworks or movements you follow that influence how you live your life (e.g., minimalist living, self-reliance). • Example: “I follow a ‘less is more’ paradigm, applying it to my daily decisions and lifestyle.”

1.2 Human Scale Development (HSD)

Reflect on how your fundamental human needs are being met. Consider the nine needs: subsistence, protection, affection, understanding, participation, idleness, creation, identity, and freedom.

  • Which needs are being fully satisfied, and which are not? • How are you currently satisfying each need? • Example: “I satisfy my need for creation through painting but often neglect idleness and time for rest.”

1.3 Biological Systems (11 Human Systems)

Evaluate your biological health and the functioning of your bodily systems. Write a brief note on how your physical health aligns with your identity.

  • Example: “I feel that my physical energy (circulatory and nervous systems) is lacking due to poor sleep, which affects my productivity.”

1.4 Attitudes

Break down your attitudes in four main areas:

  • Cultural Attitudes: Consider how social expectations, values, and protocols influence your identity. • Example: “I place a high value on honesty and clarity in communication, which guides my relationships.” • Scientific Attitudes: How do you approach knowledge and learning? • Example: “I believe in empirical reasoning and prefer to rely on data when making decisions.” • Emotional Attitudes: How do you manage your emotional experiences? • Example: “I strive for emotional balance, using mindfulness to stay aware of my feelings.” • Propositional Attitudes: What beliefs or propositions shape your worldview? • Example: “I hold a strong belief in lifelong learning and the possibility of personal growth.”

1.5 Summary of Identity

Summarize your identity and purpose. This is a synthesis of all your reflections so far:

  • Example: “I am a creative minimalist who values growth, clear communication, and simplicity in all aspects of life. My goal is to live with purpose and balance, aligning my actions with my core values.”

Step 2: Review Your Current Operations (System 1)

Now that you’ve defined your identity, it’s time to review your daily operations. System 1 is about what you do on a daily basis.

2.1 List Your Current Activities

Write down the key tasks or roles you perform on a daily basis. These might include:

  • Professional work
  • Hobbies
  • Exercise routines
  • Self-care

Example: “Daily exercise, writing, client meetings, family time, and social media updates.”

2.2 Purpose of Each Activity

Define the purpose behind each of these activities. Ask yourself, “Why do I do this? How does this serve me or others?”

  • Example: “Writing helps me explore my creativity and share my ideas with a broader audience.”

2.3 Assess the Internal Elements of Each Activity

For each task, break it down into its core internal elements:

  • Energy: How much energy does it require?
  • Focus: What level of concentration does it need?
  • Time: How much time do you dedicate to it?
  • Example for Writing:
    • Energy: Medium
    • Focus: High concentration needed
    • Time: 1.5 hours daily

2.4 Compare Activities with Your Identity

Go back to your identity in System 5. Compare how your daily operations (System 1) align with your identity and values:

  • Are there activities that don’t match your identity? • Are you neglecting important aspects of your identity in your daily routine? • Example: “I spend a lot of time on social media, which doesn’t align with my minimalist philosophy. I could reduce this time to focus more on meaningful creation.”

2.5 Make Adjustments to Align with Your Identity

If there are areas where your activities and identity are not aligned, make adjustments:

  • Which activities can be reduced or eliminated? • Which tasks can be added or modified to reflect your true self? • Example: “I’ll reduce my time on social media and replace it with more creative work, like painting or journaling, to better satisfy my need for creation.”

Step 3: Adjust Operations Based on Feedback

Based on your review of System 5 (identity) and System 1 (operations), consider the changes you’ll make in your daily tasks. The goal is to ensure that your actions are driven by your core identity and purpose.

3.1 Reflect on Feedback from Your Operations

Once you’ve made changes to your daily routine, observe how they impact your energy levels, focus, and overall sense of purpose. Reflect on this feedback regularly to ensure you’re staying aligned.

  • Example: “After cutting down on social media, I feel more energized and focused, with more time for creative work.”

3.2 Continue Iterating and Improving

The process of aligning System 5 and System 1 is continuous. Regularly reflect on your activities and identity, and make small changes to ensure that you are living authentically and purposefully.

Conclusion

By following this guide, you will gain a clear understanding of who you are (System 5) and what you do on a daily basis (System 1). The key to maintaining balance and authenticity is ensuring that your operations and identity align with one another. Regular reflection and adjustment are necessary for ongoing personal growth and self-improvement.