Regularly ask yourself, ‘Whose rule is this anyway?’ to critically evaluate whether your practices and behaviors are genuinely useful or just inherited habits.
Remember that ‘something is better than nothing’ to encourage taking small steps or imperfect action rather than waiting for ideal conditions.
Prioritize following a routine over succumbing to your mood, as routines provide structure and consistency.
Never let your lack of ability inhibit your enthusiasm; if you enjoy something, do it, as doing only what you’re good at limits experiences.
Be kind to your future self by making choices now that will benefit or ease the burden on your future self.
Follow Maya Angelou’s advice to ‘do the best you can till you know better, then do better,’ allowing for growth and preventing regret.
Understand that ‘you are the lead role in your own movie; everyone else is starring in their own,’ promoting self-focus and reducing comparison or overthinking others’ opinions.
Adopt the mindset that ’everything is a lesson,’ even difficult experiences, to foster continuous learning and growth.
Adopt the mindset that ’nobody cares’ (in a non-offensive way) to make decisions without overthinking what others might think, freeing you from self-consciousness.
Recognize that ’there are very few true emergencies’ and most situations benefit from a pause to calmly consider your response before acting.
If opportunities don’t come to you, ‘swim out to it,’ meaning proactively pursue your goals rather than passively waiting.
Use the ‘GEMO’ (Good Enough, Move On) principle to avoid perfectionism and prevent the perfect from becoming the enemy of the good.
Reorganize your phone apps by moving frequently used and desired apps (e.g., e-reader) to your home screen for convenience and visual reminders, while moving less desired or ‘soul-sucking’ apps (e.g., social media) to later screens or folders to make them less accessible.
Identify an ’exceptional advantage’ in your life (e.g., proximity to a natural resource) and make a conscious effort to regularly engage with it, even for short periods, to enhance your well-being.
Start a collection or dictionary of your family’s unique words, phrases, and catchphrases (familect) to preserve memories, foster closeness, and create a satisfying time capsule of your shared language.
Use command hooks and strips to hang art and decorate your home, as this allows for easy repositioning and helps overcome the fear of making permanent decisions.
For tasks you must do daily or regularly, actively seek ways to make them enjoyable to improve your overall experience and consistency.
Remember that ‘sleep begets sleep,’ emphasizing the importance of consistent and sufficient rest for better overall sleep.
Acknowledge that you may never feel like starting exercise, but push through the initial reluctance, as you will likely feel glad halfway through and definitely after.
In stressful or challenging situations, consciously remind yourself to ‘stay calm’ to think more clearly and respond effectively.
When apologizing, ‘don’t ruin an apology with an excuse’ to ensure sincerity and effectiveness.
Rein in criticism of how others handle tasks, especially in shared responsibilities like pet care, as there is often ’no one right way’ and constant criticism can be annoying.
If experiencing anxiety or depression, ‘consider living with other people’ as it can combat isolation and disconnectedness.
Realize that ‘anticipation is often worse than the actuality’ to approach new experiences with less hesitation and a more open mind.
Use the phrase ’not my circus, not my monkeys’ to remind yourself to disengage from situations or problems that are not your responsibility or within your control.
Adhere to the wisdom that ’nothing good happens after midnight’ to avoid potentially negative outcomes associated with late-night activities.
Practice restraint by choosing not to ‘attend every argument you’re invited to,’ thereby avoiding unnecessary conflict and preserving your peace.
Remind yourself that ‘it’s rarely worth correcting someone’ to foster better relationships and avoid minor conflicts.
Spend money on ‘good tires and good insurance’ as a worthwhile investment in safety and security.
‘Always check for toilet paper before you sit down’ as a literal and metaphorical reminder to ensure you have necessary resources before committing to an action.
Understand that ’the cheapest car is the one you own,’ encouraging contentment with current possessions and avoiding unnecessary new purchases.
Adopt the mantra ‘do it right, right now’ to encourage immediate and accurate completion of tasks.
Remember that ‘it’s easier to keep up than catch up’ to encourage consistent effort and prevent falling behind.
Live by the principle ‘better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it’ to encourage preparedness.
You never regret reading the manual for new items or processes, as it saves time and prevents errors.
Remind yourself that ‘you don’t need to feel bad about things you don’t need to feel bad about’ to release unnecessary guilt or regret.
Consider that ‘a nightcap is always a bad idea’ to avoid negative consequences associated with late-night drinking.
When looking for something, ’look with your eyes, not with your mouth,’ meaning actively search before asking for help.
For ongoing tasks, remember ‘once you stop, that’s it’ to encourage continuous movement and prevent losing momentum.
When a text or email becomes excessively long, switch to speaking directly to ensure clearer and more efficient communication.
In communication, it’s ‘far better to over-communicate than to under-communicate’ to ensure clarity and avoid misunderstandings.
Be prepared, even if you don’t know exactly what you’re preparing for, by having general readiness for unforeseen circumstances.
Understand that ‘you don’t need to have an opinion about everything’ to reduce mental burden and unnecessary engagement.
Pay attention to how people treat you, as it often reveals ‘how they like to be treated’ themselves, offering insight into their love language or preferences.
Understand that ‘you can control the choice you make, but not the consequence of that choice,’ encouraging mindful decision-making without attachment to outcomes.
Keep your ‘hustle going’ by consistently putting in effort, even working on weekends if necessary, to manage multiple projects and challenges simultaneously.
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Understand that ’the people who do it are the people who do it,’ implying that action and consistent effort are key to achieving goals.
Practice ‘go slow to go fast’ to avoid mistakes and inefficiencies that arise from rushing, ultimately leading to faster and better results.
Reassure yourself that ‘just because things could have been different doesn’t mean they’d be better’ to alleviate regret and accept past choices.
‘Always take the high road’ in interactions, as it leads to less conflict and maintains your integrity.
Apply the principle of ’everything in moderation’ to avoid excess in any aspect of life.
Recognize that ‘adults pretend they know what they are doing and no one notices most of the time,’ which can empower you to act even when you feel uncertain.
Accept that ’the laundry will never, ever be done,’ which can help manage expectations for ongoing household chores.
Understand that ’the more I have to do, the more I get done,’ suggesting that a full schedule can sometimes increase productivity.
Heed the advice ‘don’t squat with spurs on’ as a metaphorical warning to avoid situations where your actions could lead to self-inflicted harm or discomfort.
Follow the advice to ‘always ride the carousel’ as a metaphor for embracing simple pleasures and opportunities for joy.
When facing problems, recognize that ‘it’s always better in the morning after a good night’s rest,’ encouraging you to get sleep before making decisions.
Consider that ’the anxious bunny survives,’ suggesting that a degree of caution or preparedness can be beneficial for survival and well-being.
Adopt the motto ‘always carry a book and a sweater’ to ensure you are prepared for both intellectual engagement and physical comfort in various situations.
Organize your belongings so you’re ’looking at it rather than looking for it,’ which implies keeping things visible and accessible.
Understand that ’there is no peace without dialogue,’ emphasizing the importance of open communication for resolving conflict and achieving harmony.
Prevent unnecessary stress by remembering that ‘when you worry about something that hasn’t happened, you worry twice.’