I woke up in January 2019, and realized, I had wasted at least four months of my life sitting on the coach. In the midst of constantly planning my next move, my next trip, the next thing, over and over again, I had lost myself somewhere in all those plans. Without something big on the horizon to look forward to, I had forgotten how to live.
My journey to live a more present, vibrant life, started two years ago when I started to consume an endless stream of personal development content.
In this post, I’m sharing my top lessons from consuming hundreds of hours of personal development content. Let’s begin…
Intentionality is the Key
No one wants to wake up one day, wondering how your life ended up so off track. It’s incredible the amount of energy we put into planning our next vacation, but spend little time planning the day that’s in front of us. Intentionality is not writing your “to-do” list, it’s about planning meaningful moments in your life.
If you’d like to become more intentional with your time, check out my previous blog post “Finding Clarity and Meaning Through Setting Intentions: A Guide.”
Know What Makes You Happy
We ask ourselves why we’re unhappy, but we never ask what would make me happy? Happiness comes from simple, every day activities. If you have trouble answering this question, look back on what you enjoyed during childhood. I’m sure the same activities will light you up again.
Emotion Follows Motion
If you take a moment to measure your emotions while you’re slouched on the couch, you’ll probably notice you feel lethargic, and maybe even down. What if you sat up straight, smiled, and clapped your hands? I guarantee you’d notice a change in your energy level and mood instantly. Your emotions follow your motion. Have you ever seen a sad person skipping? I thought so…
Words Shape Your Thoughts and Actions
“Words…They’ve been used to make us laugh and cry. They can wound or heal. They offer us hope or devestation. With words we can make our noblest intentions felt and our deepest desires knows.” – Tony Robbins
Simply by changing your vocabulary you can change how you think, feel, and act. Words like try, can’t, or hate are not serving you, and should be deleted from your vocabulary. Emotions can be enriched by using more expressive language. Words are powerful.
People Aren’t Thinking About You
You know that thought you have when you want to try something new, but you’re worried about what others may think? Well I have a news flash, generally, others are so caught up with their own lives, they aren’t thinking about what you’re doing on the regular. So, if you want to do something, set yourself free of judgment, and just go do it!
Know Your Values
Your values are what will drive you forward when circumstances are not ideal. Ask yourself, what do you value? Do you value health? Integrity? Adventure? Whatever your values are, write them down and commit to living them.
Action is the Only Way Forward
Everything arises from action: motivation, determination, grit, and success. Think less, do more.
Discipline Equals Freedom
The only freedom in life comes from committing to yourself every day. Although discipline is painful in the short term, there is nothing more painful than the pain of regret.
Adopt a Positive Life Stance
Being positive doesn’t mean that you’re naïve to what’s going on in the world, it means that you have made the decision to live in a world of hope versus despair. It’s easy to see cracks in everything, it’s much more difficult to see the light.
Choose a Positive Global Metaphor for Life
Is life a rollercoaster, a struggle or maybe, a river? It will serve you much better to adapt a positive global metaphor versus a negative one. Mine: life is a game. It reminds me not to take life so seriously.
Be Your Own Best Friend
Our biggest critic is the voice we hear every day, our own. Have you ever noticed how you talk to yourself? How you treat your body? How many times you’ve bailed on commitments to yourself? Ask yourself, would you treat your best friend like that? Of course not! Don’t treat yourself like that either.
You are Not Your Mind
Have you ever taken a moment to listen to your thoughts? Mine sound like a negative little child who’d rather sit on the coach and do nothing because that’s the easiest path. Your mind wants to keep you safe. Oh it loves to make you comfortable by telling you to stay in your soft, warm bed instead of going out in the cold for that run. You are not your mind, and you have the power to fight and overturn any thought that you have. When lacking the fortitude to do so, find strength in to your values.
Consistency Compounds
I don’t hold the belief we can all achieve anything we put our minds to. I do believe if you’re consistent every day, the amount of people you pass, will start to pile up. If you want to be a writer, write every day. If you want to run a half marathon, run. Yes, it’s really that simple.
What You Give, You Get
Life is a two way street. If you want more love in your life, start expressing love more. If you want stronger relationships with your friends, reach out, and talk to then on a regular basis. If there is something missing in your life, look inside, the answer is there.
“There are no mistakes in life, only lessons.” – Vic Johnson
Thank-you for allowing me the great privilege to be part of your life today. Until my next post…
Be Open
Be Kind
Seek Knowledge
Practice Discipline
And if you do…success and freedom will follow.
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Miss Susan Flynn 