21 Rules that change your Life

I've stumbled over this twitter thread last month. It fits perfectly into my blogs theme. So I am going to share it with you. (Original by @robhoffman20)

Consistency > hard work

Hard work is a virtue, not a strategy.

Win by forming strong habits:

• Time block important activities.
• Eliminate distractions.
• Get your reps in.

Some days you will crush it. Other days you will suck.

Your goal is consistency, not perfection.

Boredom

Most people get bored, lose focus, & never reach the finish line.

Get good at being bored by practicing:

• Gratitude.
• Discipline.
• Mindfulness.

Stay focused and don’t chase shiny objects.

Boring things pay the big bucks.

Tell FOMO to fck off

Don’t let social media fool you. Your life is just as cool as theirs.

The happiest people on Earth:

• Enjoy the moment.
• Learn how to laugh.
• Cherish the small things.

Life is happening where you are right now.

Bad things happen

Commit to being "unbreakable" Bad things happen in life. The question is, what will you do about it?

Focus on what you can control:

• Your next move.
• Your state of mind.
• Your ability to learn.

Never forget: Italo Romano became a pro skateboarder with no legs.

Practice > Talent

Talent is nothing without practice.

Want to master your craft?

• Study the greats.
• Imitate the greats.
• Become one of the greats

Michael Jordan wasn’t always the best player on the team.

Practice beats talent every time.

Control = Responsibility

Want control over your life? Take responsibility for your actions.

You are responsible for:

• Your emotions.
• Your happiness.
• Your long-term financial situation.

Control your destiny by taking 100% responsibility for your life.

Action > perfection

Trying to make your work perfect is a trap.

Get comfortable with:

• Building in public.
• Iterating in public.
• Failing in public.

Get your work to 80%, then hit publish.

Launch first, then improve.

A good heart wins in the end

You’ve probably heard the saying "business is business."

That’s bullshit.

Successful businesses:

• Build strong relationships.
• Give more than they take.
• Earn your trust.

Nothing will make you richer than being a good person.

Courage is a skill, not a virtue

Like any skill, courage is learned with practice and repetition.

Build your "courage muscle" by:

• Learning what scares you.
• Doing it anyways.
• Doing it often.

Want to conquer your fear? Get good at being afraid.

Mental health is a game of habits

Create a "happiness checklist."

Next time you’re sad, ask yourself:

• Have you exercised today?
• Did you get enough sleep last night?
• Have you spent time with friends and family?

Sometimes you’re not actually sad. You’re just hungry.

The “one big thing” rule.

I learned this from @ShaanVP

Focus on doing “one big thing” each day:

• Set a goal.
• Create a to-do list.
• Ask yourself: which task will have the greatest impact?

That’s your one big thing for the day.

Anything else you do is just gravy on top.

Gratitude = Happiness

The day after a “near-death experience” is the happiest of your life.

Why?

• You remember life is short.
• You cherish the small things.
• Problems are nothing compared to death.

Don’t wait until you’re nearly flattened by a bus. Be grateful.

Assume the best in others

Most people have good intentions.

9/10 times, rude people are just:

• Insecure.
• Absent-minded.
• Going through something.

Give people the benefit of the doubt.

Most people aren’t assholes just because.

Follow the advice you’d give your best friend

Facing a tough decision?

Try this:

• Write down your problem.
• Read it back to yourself.
• Now pretend your best friend wrote it, not you.

What advice would you give your friend? Do that.

Learned this from @SteveBartlettSC

Anger only hurts you

Getting mad doesn’t help. It just makes you look stupid.

Next time you feel angry:

• Press pause.
• Take 4 conscious breaths.
• Come back later with a clear mind.

Most people regret the things they do out of anger.

Getting mad only hurts yourself.

Regret sucks way more than looking stupid

Want success?

Try giving less fcks.

Build your mental armor:

• Cut judgemental people from your life.
• Practice being vulnerable.
• Prioritize self-love.

Remember: Embarrassment lasts a day.

But regret will haunt you forever.

Clear communication is king

Write so clearly that a 5-year-old would understand.

Poor communication:

• Destroys businesses.
• Ends relationships.
• Starts wars.

Clear communication is a superpower.

Master it, and everything else becomes easier.

Be the hero you always wanted

Decide who you want to be in the world.

Ask yourself:

• Who’s most impacted your life?
• Why are they so important to you?
• How can you be that person for someone else?

Want to make a mark on the world? Start with the people around you.

Learning is a superpower

Learn like your life depends on it (because it does.)

Learn like crazy to gain:

• Health.
• Wealth.
• Wisdom.

Successful people aren’t smarter than you.

They just know things you don’t.

Read self-help, not the news

90% of news is designed to make you feel fear.

Ask yourself:

• Does it make your life better?
• Does it help you make the world a better place?

If the answer is no, cut it from your life.

Focus on improving yourself and your community.

Focus on community

Humans are social animals.

A strong community will make you:

• Happier.
• Smarter.
• Live longer.

Find your community. Cherish it. Give back to it.

It may be the most important thing you do in life.