#2 It is easier to be disciplined than it is to be lazy.
1. It is easier to move towards something than to run away from something.
Act based on love, not fear.
Too often you make decisions because you are scared of an outcome. This is normal, you have evolved to avoid pain. You would rather avoid losing $100 than making $100.
You leave a job because you hate it. You move to another place because you are scared of being stuck or you pre-emptively leave relationships because you fear being rejected first.
Acting on fear means you are trying to avoid pain rather than trying to fulfill any desires that you really want to achieve. The difference is important. You are acting from a place…
This time of the year is when people will start making their New Years Resolution and goals for 2019. I wanted to share how I achieved one of my goals last year and hopefully it will help you to achieve yours as well.
Although this article is mainly about reading books on a more consistent basis, you can apply this framework to almost any goal you want to achieve such as exercising regularly or having a more balanced diet.
But Firstly, The Problem with Goals
However, I wanted to begin this reflection with interrogating the problem of setting goals. …
The quality of your life depends on the quality of your mind
1. You Live Your Life According to Other People’s Expectations
In Bronnie Ware’s book, The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying, can you guess what the number one regret people had?
You guessed it.
Expectations.
Many said:
“I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”
Expectations are other people’s insecurities projected onto you. They are heavy to carry, difficult to please and unsatisfying to live up to. No one wins, especially not you.
Many of the people in Bronnie Ware’s book only realized this towards the final few weeks of their life. …
Insecure overachievers are made, not born.
Insecure overachievers are dangerous.
They are smart, articulate and well-read. They can be charismatic, arrogant and narcissistic. They push themselves to their limit, obsess over self-development and frequently burn out.
Because of their smarts, they can intellectualize their own flaws, outwit others during intense debate and charm even their most ardent critics.
Combined this with a capitalistic system that rewards this behavior and you’ve got a recipe for potential disaster.
How do I know all of this?
Because I am one of them.
I became a CEO at the age of 21. I have won numerous awards and accolades. Now at 26, I hold…
A proven strategy for creating long-term wealth as a millennial under 30 years old
If you’re looking for a get-rich-quick scheme, this article is not for you.
Just remember that if someone is promising to make you rich, they are getting rich off you. And the fastest way to lose your money is by trying to make a quick buck.
Beware of any $3,000 coaching program or courses promising you a fortune. No mentor, guru, or coach will make you rich. And if they could, do you really think they would want to share it with everyone on the internet?
But do you know what will make you rich?
Your daily financial habits.
Tell…
#2 Your only job is to create
I’ve just made my first $100 on Medium last month
Most people will choose unhappiness over uncertainty
Most people aren’t risk-averse.
They are ambiguity-averse.
Sounds counterintuitive, doesn’t it?
But it can explain a lot about human behavior. Neurologically, we have software programmed to avoid uncertainty. During our hunter-gather days, uncertainty in our environment would mean certain death.
Not knowing whether a predator was nearby or a rival tribe would invade would cause our ancestors an increase in pain and stress. More than would be appropriate in these situations.
Despite our enormous technological progress and the threat of invasion and death by predation are dramatically lower, we still have not evolved from our ancestral aversion to uncertainty.
Daily tactics to improve your health and happiness during times of uncertainty
Your 20s are the decade of change.
Every year will bring more challenges, experiences and learning. And while all of this can be exciting, it can also have a toll on your mental well-being.
Add a global pandemic and economic recession and you’ve got the perfect storm.
1. Create your circle of influence
“Proactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Influence. They work on the things they can do something about” — Stephen Covey
You can’t control everything. Attempting to do so will only cause you more misery. In times of rapid change, write down your circle of influence.
This can include people, practices…
No one unwilling to be a foolish beginner can learn — Jordan Peterson.
I am not particularly talented at anything.
I was a pretty bad student in high school. I scored below the national average for English and didn’t even bother doing any maths subjects in my final year. I had poor behavior in school and didn’t get along well with many of my teachers.
As a result, I was put in an alternative education program for young boys at risk for dropping out of high school. …
Love it. I wish the article was longer! Would you write an article about artificially keeping your living costs low?
Michael Lim
Social Policy Consultant | Avid Reader | Aspiring Writer
