Do not ignore these bits of good advice.
We’ve all been offered advice that we haven’t bothered to take, but wish we had.
Here are 18 golden nuggets that you should not overlook.
1. Take care of your health.
Everything you eat, every bit of physical exercise you do will have an impact on your overall well-being. This goes for the present as well as how you’ll feel decades from now. Stay active, eat well, and your future self will thank you for the investment.
2. Trust your own judgment.
How many times have you set aside your own intuition on a situation because someone else has tried to convince you otherwise? And how many times have you kicked yourself for doing so? Trust in your judgment, and hold firm to it.
3. Learn to be comfortable with discomfort.
You’ll undoubtedly come across situations that make you feel uncomfortable. Learn to acknowledge that you’re feeling “off,” without the desperate need to change your circumstances. Similarly, learn to say “this makes me uncomfortable” without demanding that others stop behaviors that make you feel something you dislike.
4. Develop strong coping mechanisms.
This goes along with the previous piece of advice. You’ll experience many things in life that may upset or shock you. By developing good coping mechanisms, you’ll be able to process them without being shattered. It’s up to you to learn how to manage your own thoughts and emotions regarding life’s many difficulties.
5. Adapt to changing circumstances.
It’s great to make plans, but we can’t assume that things will play out as we’ve expected. Flow with changing situations, make contingency plans, or reschedule things as needed.
6. Get to know yourself.
The more soul-searching you do, the more you’ll truly know yourself. And once you do, that sense of self will help see you through many difficult circumstances.
7. Stop worrying about what others might think.
Wear what you like, love whom you love, do what makes you happy. Those who care about you will love and accept you, and those who don’t, well… their opinions really don’t matter.
8. See every “failure” as a learning experience.
Failing absolutely sucks, especially if the failure is embarrassing. That said, we can learn a lot from what we perceive as failure. Take Thomas Edison’s quote: “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
9. Make decisions with a clear head and a full belly.
Many poor decisions have been made when people have been overwhelmed by emotion. Or hangry. If you have an important decision to make, be sure to get plenty of rest, and eat something. Then, and only then, work through the decision-making process.
10. Don’t waste your time arguing with fools.
“They’ll drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.” Think about all the time you’ve wasted getting into arguments in social media comments. That’s time you’re never going to get back, and it’s unlikely that you’ve changed anyone’s mind about anything. Just don’t bother.
11. Recognize that you can’t please everyone.
If you spend most of your time trying to make everyone else happy, you’ll be miserable. Any action you take will delight some people, offend others, and upset a few as well. That’s okay.
12. Understand your own anger, and use it productively.
Let’s say that you’re turned down for a job you’re perfect for, and you’re furious about it. Rather than shrieking about this injustice, turn that energy toward something more useful. Like starting your own business, and doing a better job than the company that missed out on having you aboard.
13. Keep in mind that nobody is superior to anyone else.
One may have supervisors or managers who are in superior positions, but that only means that they’re in a position of authority. That’s just rank – they are not better than anyone else, nor is anyone superior to them. As such, you need never feel inferior to anybody – all are equal, despite superficial evidence that might imply the contrary.
14. Live in the present moment.
What happens to a driver when they’re looking at the backseat, or glove box, or out the side window, instead of keeping their eyes on the road? Right, so, do you think it’s beneficial to keep your gaze focused on past issues or future imaginings rather than this moment, right now? Past is just memory, and the future is imagination. All we ever have is right now, so stay here.
15. Ask, don’t assume.
Countless arguments and even battles have unfolded because people have assumed things rather than asking them. Many people follow the “assume –> accuse –> attack” approach. Instead of bothering to find out the truth of a situation by asking about it, they come up with an explanation in their own minds, based on their own experience or bias. Then they project their assumptions and unleash hell. There are always additional details to discover, so always ask.
16. Own your mistakes, and learn from them.
Nobody respects a person who tries to blame their errors on others. In contrast, people think very highly of those who admit to their mistakes, and then take action toward real change.
17. Use difficult experiences as learning opportunities.
Life can be extraordinarily difficult at times, and all of us will deal with heartbreak, loss, and various other types of pain at some point. Try to learn from every experience so you can grow from them. This will help you avoid the trap of wallowing in victimhood.
18. Express gratitude often.
Countless relationships break down because people feel taken for granted. Many people develop a sense of entitlement with regard to others’ behaviors, especially their partners’ actions. Never let others feel that you’ve taken them for granted. Instead, express your appreciation whenever possible. Even for the little stuff.
