I recently turned 28 years old (HBD to me š„³).
These are the 28 life lessons Iāve learnt so far:
These are the 28 life lessons Iāve learnt so far:
1. Set Intentional Defaults
Defaults govern our behaviour. So, setting new defaults is really powerful, like:
š±Keep your phone in another room for family meals
āĀ Stop work at 6pm
šĀ Walk to work every day
Defaults govern our behaviour. So, setting new defaults is really powerful, like:
š±Keep your phone in another room for family meals
āĀ Stop work at 6pm
šĀ Walk to work every day
2. Lower the Bar
If youāre procrastinating on a project, just lower the bar. Say āthis is going to suckā. Itāll get you started, and you might be surprised at how good your work is.
If youāre procrastinating on a project, just lower the bar. Say āthis is going to suckā. Itāll get you started, and you might be surprised at how good your work is.
3. Embrace Mediocrity
We have to embrace mediocrity in some areas of life, so we can focus on the handful of things that really matter to us. Decide where youāll put in the minimum effort.
We have to embrace mediocrity in some areas of life, so we can focus on the handful of things that really matter to us. Decide where youāll put in the minimum effort.
4. Work with Background Music
This makes everything more fun and energising:
šĀ Studying
šØāš»Ā Working
š§ŗĀ Household chores
This makes everything more fun and energising:
šĀ Studying
šØāš»Ā Working
š§ŗĀ Household chores
5. Quantity and Consistency = Quality
š¼ļøĀ To get good at painting, do 100 paintings.
š¬Ā To get good at YouTube, film 100 videos.
Your stuff may be terrible, but you'll improve. Put in the reps.
š¼ļøĀ To get good at painting, do 100 paintings.
š¬Ā To get good at YouTube, film 100 videos.
Your stuff may be terrible, but you'll improve. Put in the reps.
6. Quantity and Consistency = Creativity
Creativity is a bit like an old tap. You have to turn it on and let all of the crap flow out before you get a flow of clean water. Consistency leads to creative outcomes.
Creativity is a bit like an old tap. You have to turn it on and let all of the crap flow out before you get a flow of clean water. Consistency leads to creative outcomes.
7. Send Thank You Notes
This is massively underrated but itāll feel really good for you and the person youāre writing to.
This is massively underrated but itāll feel really good for you and the person youāre writing to.
8. Planning ā Doing
The metaphor I like to use for this is āThe Pilot and the Planeā. Sometimes you should be the pilot, and make a plan. The rest of the time you should be the plane, just executing on orders.
The metaphor I like to use for this is āThe Pilot and the Planeā. Sometimes you should be the pilot, and make a plan. The rest of the time you should be the plane, just executing on orders.
9. Choose to be Satisfied
Feeling dissatisfied isnāt productive, and leads to negative thought spirals.
Make the choice to feel satisfied with the progress youāve made. You can always do things differently tomorrow.
Feeling dissatisfied isnāt productive, and leads to negative thought spirals.
Make the choice to feel satisfied with the progress youāve made. You can always do things differently tomorrow.
10. Move Towards What Energises You
Itās just one question, but a powerful one: āwill this energise me, or drain me?ā.
This is an exercise I use whenever I feel overwhelmed and need to prioritise
Itās just one question, but a powerful one: āwill this energise me, or drain me?ā.
This is an exercise I use whenever I feel overwhelmed and need to prioritise
11. Fantasy Fiction Books are Amazing
Fantasy fiction books are absolutely amazing. I always recommend the Mistborn series, it turns people into @BrandSanderson superfans.
Fantasy fiction books are absolutely amazing. I always recommend the Mistborn series, it turns people into @BrandSanderson superfans.
@BrandSanderson 12. Donāt Wipe Your Face with a Bath Towel
Some of you might think āso whatā but itās actually so much better for your skin. Always wipe your face with a different towel to the one you use in the shower so you donāt break out in spots etc.
Some of you might think āso whatā but itās actually so much better for your skin. Always wipe your face with a different towel to the one you use in the shower so you donāt break out in spots etc.
@BrandSanderson 13. Have a Simple Skincare Routine
The earlier you start, the better your skin will look with time. In a nutshell:
āļøĀ Wear SPF 50 every day
š§Ā Always moisturise after showering
šŖĀ Look into retinoids
šæĀ Use a good cleanser
The earlier you start, the better your skin will look with time. In a nutshell:
āļøĀ Wear SPF 50 every day
š§Ā Always moisturise after showering
šŖĀ Look into retinoids
šæĀ Use a good cleanser
@BrandSanderson 14. Wake Up at the Same Time Every Day
Long lie-ins + irregular sleep will mess up your sleep rhythms. So stick to your usual waking time, even if you didnāt get much sleep the night before.
For more info check out @hubermanlab
Long lie-ins + irregular sleep will mess up your sleep rhythms. So stick to your usual waking time, even if you didnāt get much sleep the night before.
For more info check out @hubermanlab
@BrandSanderson @hubermanlab 15. Keep a Kindle (Not a Phone) on Your Bedside Table
This stops me from scrolling mindlessly before bed. I either read my Kindle on warm light mode, or go to sleep.
This stops me from scrolling mindlessly before bed. I either read my Kindle on warm light mode, or go to sleep.
@BrandSanderson @hubermanlab 16. Donāt Press the āTry Harder Buttonā
Instead of saying āIāll just grit my teeth and try harder tomorrowā, build systems or an environment that makes work feel easy or fun. This might look like taking an hour in the morning to read or learn before you head into work.
Instead of saying āIāll just grit my teeth and try harder tomorrowā, build systems or an environment that makes work feel easy or fun. This might look like taking an hour in the morning to read or learn before you head into work.
@BrandSanderson @hubermanlab 17. Monetising Your Passions Is Fun
People often say that you should never monetise your passion. But it can often be a rewarding challenge, and way more fun...
People often say that you should never monetise your passion. But it can often be a rewarding challenge, and way more fun...
@BrandSanderson @hubermanlab 18. ā¦Except When Itās Not
Lots of YouTubers get burnt out after going full-time. The solution = diversify. Keep some of your hobbies un-monetised and low-stakes.
Lots of YouTubers get burnt out after going full-time. The solution = diversify. Keep some of your hobbies un-monetised and low-stakes.
@BrandSanderson @hubermanlab 19. Aim to Retire Early
*Retirement is when you stop sacrificing today for an imaginary tomorrow -* @naval
I'm trying to āretireā by:
š¤Ā Making plenty of money
āļøĀ Cutting back on expenses
š¢Ā Only doing āworkā Iād do for free
*Retirement is when you stop sacrificing today for an imaginary tomorrow -* @naval
I'm trying to āretireā by:
š¤Ā Making plenty of money
āļøĀ Cutting back on expenses
š¢Ā Only doing āworkā Iād do for free
@BrandSanderson @hubermanlab @naval 20. Enjoy Each Day on its Own Merits
Stop seeing every day as a stepping stone to something greater. The best feeling in the world is being able to say āthis was a good dayā.
I like using a 'thing I must do' and 'things I might do' list - 'might dos' can get pushed to tomorrow.
Stop seeing every day as a stepping stone to something greater. The best feeling in the world is being able to say āthis was a good dayā.
I like using a 'thing I must do' and 'things I might do' list - 'might dos' can get pushed to tomorrow.
@BrandSanderson @hubermanlab @naval 21. Invest in Your Relationships
Successful people chronically under-invest in their personal relationships. Spend more time with the people you love.
Successful people chronically under-invest in their personal relationships. Spend more time with the people you love.
@BrandSanderson @hubermanlab @naval 22. Always Take the Social Initiative
āPeople are nice, but you have to go first.ā It might be scary, but take the initiative, be the organiser. Amazing things will happen, and people love to be invited to things.
āPeople are nice, but you have to go first.ā It might be scary, but take the initiative, be the organiser. Amazing things will happen, and people love to be invited to things.
@BrandSanderson @hubermanlab @naval 23. Default to Non-Work in Your Spare
Doing work leads to instant benefits. But relationships need consistent nurturing. If I have a spare hour in my day, I spend it with friends/loved ones.
Doing work leads to instant benefits. But relationships need consistent nurturing. If I have a spare hour in my day, I spend it with friends/loved ones.
@BrandSanderson @hubermanlab @naval 24. Exercise in the Morning
šĀ Wakes you up
ā”Ā Boosts your energy during the day
š„±Ā No groggy evening workouts
šĀ Wakes you up
ā”Ā Boosts your energy during the day
š„±Ā No groggy evening workouts
@BrandSanderson @hubermanlab @naval 25. The Sting of Rejection is Better than the Pain of Regret
This is almost always true. So shoot your shot, instead of always wondering āwhat ifā.
This is almost always true. So shoot your shot, instead of always wondering āwhat ifā.
@BrandSanderson @hubermanlab @naval 26. Read One-Star Reviews of Your Favourite Books
There's something very therapeutic about this. You see that everyoneās taste is different, and even things you love have their haters + detractors.
There's something very therapeutic about this. You see that everyoneās taste is different, and even things you love have their haters + detractors.
@BrandSanderson @hubermanlab @naval 27. Work on Trains
Trains are a great place to get work done. Whatās not to like?
š§āš»Ā Deep work time
ā©Ā Effortless travel
š³Ā Climate friendly
Trains are a great place to get work done. Whatās not to like?
š§āš»Ā Deep work time
ā©Ā Effortless travel
š³Ā Climate friendly
@BrandSanderson @hubermanlab @naval 28. Journey Before Destination
Remember to live in the present, not the past or future. Whatever destination you set, try to focus on the journey.
Remember to live in the present, not the past or future. Whatever destination you set, try to focus on the journey.
@BrandSanderson @hubermanlab @naval If you liked this thread, you can follow me @aliabdaal for daily tweets on health, wealth, love, happiness and impact.
For more detail on each of these points, read the full article: aliabdaal.com
For more detail on each of these points, read the full article: aliabdaal.com
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