Dua Lipa On: Radical Optimism, Falling On Stage, And "Writing Yourself Into A Good Idea"

1. Embrace Radical Optimism

Cultivate an optimistic mindset even when things go wrong, becoming adaptable to any situation, as this helps you stay focused and achieve positive outcomes despite challenges.

2. Process Negative Emotions Fully

Allow yourself to feel every emotion, including despair and upset, rather than shying away, because going through them ensures you learn lessons and emerge stronger.

3. Adopt a Hindsight Perspective

When facing daunting or negative situations, mentally fast-forward to a month in the future, imagining how you’ll feel then, to gain perspective and realize the current issue will likely diminish in significance.

4. Remain Open-Hearted After Setbacks

Even when trust is broken or you’re let down, strive to stay open-hearted and adaptable, as this prevents you from becoming guarded and often leads to beneficial changes as unhelpful people naturally fall away.

5. Cultivate a Strong Work Ethic

Be diligent and committed to your work, driven by the love of what you do and the satisfaction of growth, because working hard is essential to continue pursuing your passions and creating things you’re proud of.

6. Embed as a Team Leader

As a leader, integrate yourself within your team rather than sitting above it, fostering an environment where everyone feels safe to express ideas and opinions, which promotes collective growth and psychological safety.

7. Embrace ‘Write Yourself Into a Good Idea’

In creative endeavors, give yourself permission to produce ‘shit’ work initially, understanding that you must get through the less-than-perfect ideas to eventually arrive at something truly good and valuable.

8. Be Gentle with Creative Process

Allow for a free flow of ideas and don’t be hard on yourself when creativity isn’t flowing, recognizing that the muse can be tired; step away and return with fresh perspective when needed.

9. Plan Your Schedule Meticulously

Organize your time down to the minute, including dedicated slots for work and personal life, to ensure efficiency and make space for self-care, friends, and family.

10. Set Non-Negotiable Personal Time

Establish clear boundaries for personal time in your schedule (e.g., ’not available’ in your diary) to relax, recharge, and protect your mental health, even if you occasionally adjust for significant opportunities.

11. Practice Regular Meditation

Incorporate guided meditation or meditative yoga into your daily routine by scheduling specific time for it, helping you zone out, focus on your breath, and manage intrusive thoughts.

12. Prioritize Self-Care (Yoga)

Dedicate time to physical practices like yoga, as it serves as a form of self-care, inducing a meditative state and nurturing your body and mind.

13. Get Tasks Done Promptly

Adopt the principle of ‘don’t leave today’s thing for tomorrow’ to prevent tasks from piling up, allowing you to feel accomplished and free up more time for personal activities.

14. Perform Work Properly the First Time

Strive for thoroughness and quality in your work from the outset, avoiding sloppiness, to prevent having to revisit and redo tasks, saving time and effort.

15. Practice Social Media ‘Post & Ghost’

To maintain mental well-being while having a large online presence, disengage from negative platforms (like Twitter/X) and use others by posting content and then logging off (‘post and ghost’) to avoid comments and negativity.

16. Utilize Your Platform for Good

Use your public platform to speak out on current events and champion causes you’re passionate about, such as refugee situations or women’s rights, to give a voice to others and benefit a wider audience.

17. Engage in Screen-Free Hobbies

Actively pursue hobbies like reading (e.g., through a book club) to disconnect from screens, step away from the digital world, and immerse yourself in different experiences.

18. Embrace Adaptability in Challenges

When unexpected issues arise in work or life, roll with the punches and be adaptable, seeing it as an inevitable part of the process and an opportunity to overcome challenges.

19. Surrender to Live Performance Flow

During live performances, be comfortable with letting go of absolute control and surrendering to the moment, viewing any mishaps as part of the beauty and unpredictability of live art.

20. Seek Honest Feedback

Surround yourself with people who will provide genuine and honest feedback, rather than ‘yes men,’ as this is crucial for personal and professional growth.

21. Be Open to Intuition and Mysticism

Cultivate an openness to signs, intuition, and the idea of forces bigger than ourselves (e.g., astrology, angel numbers, energy), as this can foster a positive outlook and add beauty to your life.

22. Experience Places of Worship

Visit temples, churches, mosques, or other places of worship, regardless of personal faith, to experience the collective energy, sense of prayer, and spiritual atmosphere.

23. Value Fresh Perspective

When stuck creatively, step away from your work and return with a fresh perspective, or share it with someone whose opinion you trust, as this can reveal new insights and help you hear it critically.