1. Do things you love.
It seems simple, and it is. Go out and do things that make you happy. We spend so much time trying to please others, but it is important to do things that please us too. Baseball, skateboarding, reading, collecting bottle caps… It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as you truly love doing it—you should.
2. Balance is key.
I like to think about life as lawn. The lawn goes through seasons where it can be really lush green or dry and brown. The biggest factor in lawn care is the amount of water it gets. If I am pouring myself into one area of that lawn, sure that area is going to turn green, but the rest of the lawn will get no attention. I end up with one over-watered patch of green in a sea of brown. Water all areas of your life.
3. Take in 100% of the NOW.
Live in the present. We have all heard the saying: “Yesterday already happened, and tomorrow hasn’t happened yet.” When we give our attention to past frustrations or future worries, we miss what’s happening now. Instead of sitting on Facebook FOMO-ing away let’s make our own experiences. Be where your feet are.
4. Challenge yourself every day.
We feel good when we overcome an obstacle. Finishing a level in Mario isn’t as cool without jumping on a few goombas and dodging a piranha plant or two. We must push beyond the comfort zone and search out new mountains to climb.
5. Be a vessel for good.
There is too much dark in the world to not be a light for others. Anger and frustration spread like wildfire. It can be tough to stand up and say the right thing in a bad situation. If we want to stop the spread of hate, we must cut it off at the source. Spread love and positivity at all times.
6. Go out of your way to help people.
Think about it this way… Are we good people if we only offer help when it’s convenient for us? I don’t think you can judge a person simply on this quality, but I urge you to try it. Catch yourself the next time you think, “ugh, do I really have the time to help this person?” Be sure to assess how you feel after you help them as well.
7. Paint your own picture.
Do not concern yourself with what other people are painting and the stories they are telling. This only distracts us from our own vision. I would much rather live as an original than die as an imitation.
8. Spend time with people you love.
Like number 1, this one is pretty straight forward. Foster the relationships we have with loved ones. Reach out consistently and make time to do things together. The happiest moments in life are almost always in the company of the ones we love.
9. Try new experiences.
No great story starts with “Yesterday, I sat around like usual.” Go out and DO things! Go to museums, parks, festivals, monuments, cities, countries and landmarks. Spread out to every corner of the globe if you want. Go on a hot air balloon ride in Egypt, and snorkel in Hawaii. We only have one life to live, might as well try it all once!
10. Take next-level ownership of your life.
This is the biggest key to tie the other nine together. So many of these things are blocked by excuses. “I was dealt a bad hand. I don’t have the money to travel. I don’t have time to spend with family.” Take charge. We are in control of what happens to us. We can do anything we truly set our minds
