Plan your next 30-day challenge

Many of us — myself included — can get overwhelmed by the sheer range of things on offer. Our overwhelm paralyzes us. This is why it can be powerful to briefly forget your longer-term plans and narrow down your range. What’s one habit you can commit to over the next thirty days?  There’s nothing quite like limiting your scope and gamifying your life like this to turn up the heat.

Stop wishing for specific outcomes

When we rely on something going exactly how we envisioned it, we get needy and depressed if we fall short. Instead, have goals, but be flexible as you progress towards them.

Create things on and off the screen

If we’re depressed, we’re usually in a reactive mode. We see ourselves at the mercy of life, and we feel powerless. This is the exact opposite state of being creative. Find something to create — anything — a poem, an article, a new friendship, a painting. If you lack the knowledge, first learn. Create something fresh, and you’ll start to shift your depressed identity.

Create a better system

Whether we realize it or not, we've all created the perfect system for how things are for us. If you want more friends, what system must you follow to bring more friendships into your life? There is always a system that works. Figure out your objectives, and then design a system that aligns with those objectives.

Reflect on everything you like about yourself

Sound selfish? That’s because we’re all conditioned to think mostly about what we dislike in ourselves. It’s why we’re all so anxious. But how about you give yourself a moment to enact some deep self-compassion and understanding for a change?  Revel in this, and see your day take a new, positive turn.

Be content with doing less

We must actively reduce our choices and make peace with the options we leave behind. This is both a logistical task and a psychological one. Most of all, it comes down to courage. Choose to do less. Be content with doing less. Honor your perspective by doing more with less. Realize you don’t need to do most of the things you think you should do.

You don’t need to be laser-focused

Trying to focus too much limits your focus because you apply self-pressure. Instead, relax and do what makes the most sense to do next. You’re not a dummy. Do what is obvious to you and go with it.

You don’t need to make a ton of money each month

It’s easy to feel down seeing all these 19-year-olds pulling in 50k months. But you don’t need to earn a lot to live a good life. You can structure your life so that your outgoings are minimal and your required income is far lower. What if you earned less, spent less, and had time left over for the stuff you actually wanted to do?

Let go of the obligation for order

Instead of doing the work, we organize files. Instead of action, we sit with a cup of coffee and plan. But neither of these is a proper action that will push the needle. Looking for order is an excuse if you’re ignoring action. When you act, even in the tiniest way, you create logistical and psychological momentum that leads to more action.

The unwarranted smile

When we do something nice for someone, a ‘thank you’ and a smile are nice to receive. And, in many parts of human culture, it’s a bit expected. But when something goes wrong, if we drop a plate or miss a turn or make someone late, it’s particularly delightful and memorable if we are greeted warmly instead of stomped on. The moments when it’s the most difficult to be kind are the moments where it matters the most.

You must learn their logic chain

If you want to understand anyone’s decisions, then you must understand their logic chain. Even if you disagree with it. Even if you think they’re nuts. You must appreciate how they reach their decisions — or at least, try. How? Well, start by guessing. Assume they have good intentions. Now build a logic chain based on what they might see, so that it explains their current actions.

What they see, learn and believe

People combine what they see, what they learn, and what they believe to be true and make the best decisions they can.

Take control of smartphone use

Remove unnecessary apps, Replace app use on your phone with desktops, Rearrange apps that trigger mindless checking away from your home screen, and Reclaim attention by adjusting your settings to only receive truly important notifications.

Being 'indistractable' is the ultimate superpower

By understanding the difference between traction and distraction, and learning to manage both internal and external triggers, we can reclaim control over our attention and lives. Becoming indistractable isn't just about personal productivity; it's about shaping the future and inspiring others to do the same, creating a world where intentionality reigns supreme.

Fairness is a comforting illusion

Society doesn't tally good intentions; it measures tangible contributions. Your crush not reciprocating feelings, a promotion snatched by another, or even a failed exam—it's not the universe conspiring against you but a reminder that the world is complex and doesn’t comply with your ideas of right and wrong. In a world where fairness is a comforting illusion, embracing the gritty reality might just be your ticket to unlocking boundless potential.

Focus is a force multiplier on work

It is much more important to work on the right thing than it is to work many hours. Most people waste most of their time on stuff that doesn’t matter. Once you have figured out what to do, be unstoppable about getting your small handful of priorities accomplished quickly.

Turn URL relationships into IRL relationships

If you have a social media following, share a post mentioning you'll be visiting a city soon, and if anyone is down to hang out there. Worst-case scenario, no one responds. Best-case scenario, you'll make a new friend and they'll give you tips on what to eat and do in that city.

When in nature, be aware of nature

When in nature, be aware of nature. If you're in the desert, watch out for snakes. If you're in the forest, watch out for ticks. If you're in the ocean, watch out for jellyfish. Nature is beautiful, but it's important to respect and be cautious of it.

Traveling is a great way to “stress test”

Traveling is a great way to “stress test” your partner and see what kind of person they are under pressure. Are they able to stay calm and be helpful when there's an issue with the bus/train/flight or hotel? Or do they start complaining and become a ball of negativity? If you’re looking for a life partner you want the first kind of person.

Creativity is about hope and possibility

Organizations are either doing things to us or for us and with us. We can make something. And do it together. Creativity is about hope and possibility. It gives us a chance to make things better.

Success is not an option

Forget the big win, the final 'made its moment.  If that's your definition of success, it clashes with why you created it in the first place.

Discoveries in life aren't solely about finding answers

Discoveries in life aren't solely about finding answers; they're about asking the right questions. By shifting our focus to asking insightful questions, we unlock new perspectives, challenge assumptions, and uncover hidden truths. Posing the right questions has the power to reshape how we navigate work, relationships, and existence. True wisdom lies not in the answers we give, but in the questions we ask.

Being annoyed is a concoction

Hunger and exhaustion are physically based. But being annoyed is a concoction based on expectations and our stories. We can change the story if we try.

We can use irritation as fuel

If a problem vexes us, we can use that irritation as fuel, finding the energy to deal with it. We can turn the moment into curiosity and forward motion. And if it’s a situation? Then being vexed is a choice. If it’s helping you to be irritated, enjoy it. If not, then why bother?

Don't Rush

Don't Rush.... but hurry. The words matter. Rushing has a built-in excuse. Rushing pushes us to skip steps or ship junk. But hurrying acknowledges how precious this moment in time is. It honors our good fortune to be in this place, and able to contribute something generous.

We can act as if

The most resilient approach, of course, is to act as if. What if this is your most important post or your last one? What if the text you’re sending is going to be forwarded to your mom? What if… We can’t know for sure. But we can act as if it’s going to happen.

Smart financial moves

Smart financial moves pave the way for long-term stability. If you borrow money, use it to make more money. Not to buy luxury cars, designer clothes, and expensive vacations.

Inaction leads to boredem

Everyone's terrified of doing the wrong thing, that they never do the right thing.

The leader within you

If they stand behind you, grant them protection. If they stand beside you, grant them respect. If they stand against you, show them no mercy.

Never stop showing up

In whatever you do, never stop showing up. Sometimes, you will feel like you aren't making any progress but that's far from the fact. You are growing, your mind is widening, your habits are forming and small traces of your work can be seen.

Interest sparks interest

Interest sparks interest. Choosing to close yourself off to others - will be painful and unnecessary. Take one simple action. Something that inherently brings you fear, and go do it anyway. Thank yourself after, you earned it.