Focus on cultivating high-quality relationships, as ‘social fitness’ is identified as the most important variable for happiness, health, and success, effectively regulating stress which is a major health detriment.
Acknowledge that fear and anxiety can be a daily part of life, but do not let them prevent you from pursuing your goals and desired actions; you just have to do it anyway.
Learn to not take your thoughts or yourself too seriously, as this easing up can profoundly impact your interactions and relationships with others, creating a virtuous cycle.
Instead of trying to eliminate negative aspects of your personality or fears, aim to cultivate an ’easy relationship’ with them so that you are not controlled when they emerge, making them less powerful.
Pay attention to the subtle ‘offness’ or unsatisfactoriness (dukkha) inherent in life, as this awareness can create a yearning for deeper understanding or spiritual/psychological growth.
Understand that it is possible to reinvent yourself and change your path or identity at any point in your life, regardless of past perceptions or public profile.
To achieve a goal, make a firm decision to pursue it and then consistently apply yourself and do the necessary work to make it happen, rather than just expecting it to occur.
Solicit anonymous 360-degree feedback from professional contacts (bosses, peers, reports) and personal connections (family, friends) to gain a panoramic and honest understanding of your strengths and weaknesses for personal growth.
Recognize that self-interest and altruism can coexist in a mutually reinforcing ‘double helix,’ allowing you to pursue personal success while simultaneously being useful and beneficial to others.
Acknowledge the advantages and good fortune you have received in life, and understand that this comes with a responsibility to give back or use your position for the benefit of others.
Design your ideal day to include early morning work on passion projects when your mind is clearest, followed by meditation (even short periods for beginners), exercise, family time, and social engagement in the evening.
Approach self-improvement holistically by considering various aspects like meditation, therapy, relationships, sleep, exercise, and diet, choosing what works best for you without dogma.
Recognize that the voice in your head can act as a ’tiny dictator,’ and with practice like meditation, learn to observe thoughts critically rather than immediately acting on them, exploring underlying motivations like boredom or loneliness.
Cultivate an awareness that everything is constantly changing, including your thoughts and perceptions, to better navigate a chaotic and unpredictable world without being shocked by life’s impermanence.
When transitioning careers or building a new venture, follow your genuine curiosity and focus on building a loyal audience that genuinely cares about what you want to share and discuss.
Live your life openly and share your experiences and learnings with others, as this ‘cathartic normalization’ can be useful to them and alleviate personal existential crises by defining your purpose as being helpful.
Consistently engage in practices like meditation and other forms of self-improvement, as their benefits compound annually and have a mysteriously cumulative nature over time.
Regularly reflect and meditate on the question ‘What’s enough?’ to define your personal boundaries for satisfaction and contentment in various aspects of life.
If you’ve tried meditation and felt you couldn’t do it, recognize that the teaching method might be the issue, as almost anyone can learn to meditate with the right approach.
Consider engaging in an annual silent meditation retreat, involving extensive daily seated and walking meditation, with minimal talking, to deepen your practice and self-awareness.
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