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Life is overwhelmingly complex. So it’s helpful to have rule-of-thumb heuristics to navigate it.
The following 10 principles will make your life easier.
1. Do Anything That Takes Two Minutes—Right Now
Author David Allen popularised the two-minute rule in his book Getting Things Done.
The rule says if something takes two minutes or less, do it straight away.
I.e., reply to quick messages and emails, and put household items away.
This rule allows you to get all the easy, boring tasks out of the way.
But make sure you plan time for time-consuming tasks, including writing, reading, and other work.
This rule prevents the urgent, easy tasks from piling up.
2. Stop Assuming People Care—Do What’s Right for You
We’re not the centre of the universe; in fact, we’re a little speck of sand in the desert, and our lives are scarily short.
So don’t let what people think of you stop you from pursuing your dreams and ambitions.
Don’t let anyone stop you from getting what you want from life.
Other people’s opinions are noise, and listening to them is unhelpful.
Throw everyone’s opinions out of the window.
Focus on getting what you want out of life.
People will always have opinions. You can’t live up to everyone’s standards.
You can live up to your own standards.
3. If You’re Still Breathing, You Can Keep Going
We all face setbacks. After my wrist surgery, I felt down. Then I reminded myself: I’m alive and breathing.
So any problem is solvable.
To be alive means you’ve hit the jackpot.
Think of all the people who wished they were still alive.
Never take waking up each day for granted.
4. Live So You Can Die With No Regrets
When I don’t do what I say I will, I feel awful.
I feel empty.
This applies especially when I write, read, and practice my faith.
I feel good when I write, read, and practice my faith. Not doing these things feels like self-torture.
Follow your conscience.
If there’s something you know you should be doing but aren’t.
Do it.
5. Find Your Why, and Every Challenge Becomes Bearable
Viktor Frankl was a prisoner of war during the Holocaust.
He spent almost 3 years in concentration camps.
He could’ve given up and lost hope.
But he didn’t.
The thought of seeing his family kept him going.
But unfortunately, his wife, parents and brother were all murdered during the Holocaust.
He would spend time looking at the beautiful Forest and nature. Doing so kept him going.
Viktor also worked as a physician in the camps, helping other sick prisoners.
Even though he was in a dire situation.
He still found meaning.
Viktor wrote a book called Man’s Search for Meaning. It shows how finding meaning in your life helps you get through difficult times.
His example shows this works.
We can all do well by practising this advice in our lives.
How I find meaning in my life: my why for living is:
- Being a Christian
- Reading and writing
- Spending time with family and friends
- Walking in nature
- Art
What’s your why for living?
6. Learn From the Best, Live Like the Best
Whatever goal you have, to achieve it, take advice from people who’ve achieved what you aim to do.
You may think, “How can I learn from the best?” My answer is to read books. Many successful people are generous in sharing their guides to success. You need to do the hard work and read.
When you’ve got the information to succeed, put it into practice straightaway.
You’ll make mistakes and fail. But after each mistake and failure, you’ll be better. And if you stay consistent, you’ll succeed.
7. Improve a Little Every Day—Your Actions Shape Your Identity
Suppose you want to be a better writer. Every day you sit down and write, you become a tiny bit better.
But when you keep this up for days, weeks, months and years, your progress snowballs like compound interest when you invest.
If you’re consistent for years, you’ll achieve success far beyond what you ever thought possible.
You can either choose to be better or worse.
8. Start Your Day With What Matters Most
I start my day with working out and writing. Because I know if I do them at the end of the day, I’ll be tired and won’t have enough willpower to accomplish them.
So whatever your most important task is, do it right away.
9. If It Won’t Matter in Ten Years, Don’t Stress About It Now
I remember when I was in school. I went out for lunch with friends to Domino’s Pizza. We all bought a pizza and left the shop.
I was walking along, eating my pizza, when my garlic-sauce pot fell to the floor. I didn’t realise and stepped on it. Splat! Garlic Sauce exploded all over my face.
I went back to school and took my lessons stinking of garlic. I felt stressed and embarrassed.
This is an example of getting stressed about the little things.
It’s not worth it.
At the time, I was so annoyed, but looking back, I should never have been so stressed.
Now, this garlic sauce story is funny to look back on.
10. Compare Yourself Only to Who You Were Yesterday
When I was into bodybuilding, I constantly compared myself to other bodybuilders. The bodybuilders were on steroids. There was zero chance I’d ever look like them.
But I tried to get as strong as possible to build as much muscle as I could. Doing so just got me injured.
Now I focus on being my healthiest self. I don’t care about having big muscles.
This same mindset goes with writing. Sometimes I wish I were further along in my writing journey, like my favourite writers are. I wish I were better than I am.
Then I remind myself.
“Just get better today”.
Because if I keep doing so, I’ll eventually be the best writer I can be. And maybe I’ll be like my idols.
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