Our happiness and success are dependent on our ability to think positive thoughts, act with purpose, and form meaningful relationships with others. The good news is that we have complete control over each of these elements. We have the option to modify.
The following are the most typical modifications that can have the greatest impact on your life:
1. Be aware of your thoughts.
Your feelings are influenced by your thinking. Your behaviors are dictated by how you feel.
If your thoughts are full of self-doubt and criticism, it’s impossible to be confident and self-assured. You can change if you never speak to others the way you speak to yourself inside.
Reprogramming your thinking takes time, but self-awareness is the first step. Make a conscious effort to become more aware of your ideas. Ask yourself, “What am I thinking about right now, and why?” Is it true that my ideas are assisting me?
You can become more intentional and positive by taking a break to reset your internal thinking.
2. Distinguish between how you feel and what you do.
Take some time to acknowledge your true feelings. Mindfulness does not imply a lack of awareness of or disregard for one’s feelings. But keep your emotions separate from your actions—actions are a separate decision.
For example, if I am irritated that a colleague is making a project difficult to work on, I can identify my frustration and then decide how to manage it individually. Alternatively, you may be annoyed by a friend who consistently fails to keep obligations.
Choose to be upfront and direct about the impact his or her behaviors are having on the friendship rather than ignoring it or ending the friendship.
Your behaviors are a separate decision based on the sentiments that you alone determine.
3. Stop comparing yourself to others.
Someone will always be more successful, accomplished, and have more medals, money, and better promotion. You’ll almost certainly never measure up in this perpetual comparison game. The bar is always moving, and it is typically up. So set your own internal success bar based on what means most to you, where you started, and how far you’ve come.
As a working mother, I gradually realized that my worth was not determined by how much I volunteered at my children’s schools in comparison to other mothers. Rather than comparing myself to other moms with more volunteer time, I focused on how our sons were doing and if they were prospering.
Discover the true significance of your efforts. Focusing on effect and contribution instead of comparison to others is a strong technique to overcome comparison.
4. Make time for yourself first thing in the morning.
Our most valuable resource is time. We have a higher chance of living the life we want if we are deliberate in how we use it. Being intentional is influenced by how you begin each day. Take a few moments to consider how you want to spend your day, both in terms of time and what you want to think about. Prayer, meditation, exercise, and some alone time to reflect can make a huge difference in your day, week, and year.
I usually ask my customers when and where they can schedule this time for thinking and planning. After I got the opportunity to properly think about what I wanted, I made the most significant decisions and changes.
Make the time in your hectic life to pause in a quiet corner rather than a crowded kitchen.
5. Every week, try something new.
We get stuck in a rut because of predictable days and behaviors. Choose one new little change to make every week. My acquaintance declared this year to be a “year of living differently.” She learned to cook, made home improvements, booked many modest weekend vacations, and learned to fly fish.
Shake up your routine by attempting something you’ve never done before. Even a simple adjustment, such as viewing an engaging TED Talk while getting ready in the morning or trying out a new meal dish on the grill, might help you feel more energized.
6. Pay attention even if you want to speak.
Listening is the most potent learning tool and relationship-building tool you have at your disposal, but it is widely neglected in our fast-paced, technology-driven society. Instead of thinking about what you’re going to say next, ask questions and genuinely listen. One of the highest compliments you can pay someone is to give them your undivided attention.
7. Overcome your need to be right.
Even the strongest relationship can be overshadowed by the drive to constantly be right. Being right at all costs may satisfy an inner urge, but it frequently comes at the cost of someone or something else.
Consider the following scenario: Is there a single solution? Is it necessary for us to agree? Is there any new information that I’ve overlooked?
Of course, maintain your point of view and advocate for principles and issues that are important to you.
What do you think?