Simple rules

To deter myself from staying up late scrolling through social media or going down a YouTube rabbit hole, I remember the rule: “don’t stay up late for something you wouldn’t get up early for.”

I enjoy the occasional cheat meal, but my rule is: if I “shouldn’t” eat it it’s not coming in my house.  When I found myself hitting snooze too many times, I started placing my alarm clock steps away from the bed.

Self-control is over-rated.  Simple rules you create (and follow) are more reliable ways to change habits.

What could have been

That thing you almost did that would have harmed your career…that horrendous car accident you barely avoided…it sounds counter-intuitive and depressing to spend moments contemplating these near tragedies.

But one effective way to amplify gratitude even faster than being thankful for what we do have or did achieve, is considering how fortunate we are for what DIDN’T happen that could have disrupted or even ended our lives.

The fact that you are now alive to tell even one such story is worthy of gratitude.

The equality farce

Treating people as equals and creating equal opportunity despite gender, race, etc. is an admirable version of equality.  But that’s as far as it goes.

Treating all projects, endeavors, and hours of the day with equal importance is a flaw that un-successful, overwhelmed, stressed-out people share. Those who have achieved mastery, fulfillment and are in control of their lives distinguish and prioritize the critical, few, most significant things, from the trivial and unlimited choices for allocating their time and attention.

Focus on what’s most meaningful and significant, and give that the UNEQUAL attention it deserves.