9 Life-Changing Tips to Improve Your Life
In my line of work, I spend a lot of time listening to people, helping them figure out why they aren’t where they want to be right now, and proposing a plan to help them get to where they want to go.
We often get into deep conversations, and I am happy to help as I am able. But I often have nuggets of wisdom to share that aren’t all that deep, they are more like one-offs or random musings. But they are GOOD!
Enjoy these nine random, but insightful, musings! Use them as you see fit.
1. When declining an invitation, don’t feel the need to explain yourself! “No” is a complete sentence. Your reasons are you own and you don’t owe anybody an explanation as to why you can’t, or don’t want to, do something. Be gracious and kind, for example: “Thank you for thinking of me, but I’m going to pass this time,” will suffice.
2. When given a compliment, simply say, “Thank you”! We so often follow a compliment with a self-effacing comment. “This old thing?” or “I bought this on sale for only $19.99.” Somebody just told you that you looked nice, or they liked your outfit. Accept the compliment graciously with a “thank you” and be done.
3. Here’s another thought on compliments. If you think of something kind to say to somebody, TELL THEM! A simple compliment can do wonders for a person. In the very least, it will brighten their day! But that compliment may do so much more, it may turn their entire life around. It might provide that boost of confidence they need to take on a difficult or challenging task.
4. Don’t be afraid of stepping outside your comfort zone. Comfortable is nice, it’s warm and cozy, but you don’t grow there. The flower seed is comfortable in the seed packet, but it’s not going to grow there. It has got to be shoved into the dirt and have some water dumped over it to help it start to grow. Think that’s comfortable? Nope! But by forcing itself into a new environment, it can now grow. Same thing applies to you! Put yourself someplace new, join a new club, start a new activity, sign up for the course…get uncomfortable and get ready to grow!
5. Do not wait until you feel totally prepared to do the big thing, to actually do it. You most likely will never feel ready! I am not proposing that you do no research or anything in preparation, but there comes a point where you just have to go for it! What is the very worst that can happen? It does not work out for you. In that case, you pivot and try a new approach or something new altogether. You have probably just learned something in the process too.
6. You may change your mind! So often we stick with something just to “save face” or because we do not want to hear, “I told you so,” from family and friends. Life it too short to be doing something simply because you do not want to give somebody else the satisfaction of being right. This might be a job, a relationship, or where you are currently living, for example. Listen to your gut and your heart! 💖 If it does not feel right anymore, stop doing it.
7. Set boundaries! Your time, space and energy are valuable commodities! Guard them. People will treat you how you allow them to treat you. You need to respect yourself first. If setting boundaries is new to you, it is okay to start slowly, but give clear expectations to others. You do not need to give negativity, or people who make you feel bad about yourself, space in your life.
8. You do not need to “earn” rest, take it when you want and need it. Listen to your body, it is your responsibility and yours to care for. Take a nap simply because it makes you happy.
9. Schedule the coffee date. Stop saying, “We should get together soon,” with your friends, then go about your daily life expecting it to magically appear on your calendar. It does not work that way. Make it your priority to get things on your calendar that make you happy, that fuel your soul. You have to be intentional and schedule them, otherwise the days and weeks will fill up. Go text a friend…now…you are finished reading.
