You never have it fully licked

One good day does not mean you can coast tomorrow. You never have it fully licked. Making good choices is an endless process. Many areas of life that we value most—our relationships, our fitness, our craft—require a continual commitment.

Identify your MAIN energy drain

There’s always one thing that consistently drains the energy that we can pick out as currently more significant than the rest. Maybe it’s a vice you run to for its short-term hit that ultimately makes you feel hollow and tired in the longer term. It could be a friend you spend a lot of time with who is continually negative. You might spend a lot of time churning on worrying thoughts. It can take courage to confront what exactly this is, and it may take some reflection or note-taking to see what this is.

A great and eternal beauty passes through the whole world

What is small is not small in itself, just as that which is great is not—great. A great and eternal beauty passes through the whole world, and it is distributed fairly over that which is small and that which is large; for in such important and essential matters, no injustice is to be found on earth.

Be obsessed with doing things

Most of the planet is obsessed. But they’re obsessed with the world of illusion, hearsay, imagination, and opinion. Nothing is real here, and we can easily frighten ourselves when we spend considerable time in this space. Instead, be unreasonably biased to taking actions, even if they’re small and seemingly inconsequential. Take note of the things that make you nervous, and immediately take small, doable steps toward these fears. Relentless action is the soothing balm to all your fears.

Project your voice

How we behave defines how we feel about ourselves. You needn’t talk all the time. In fact, talking less is a sign you’re comfortable in your skin and aren’t compelled to prove yourself out of insecurity. But when we do talk, and we say it assertively, this communicates something very clearly, both to the world and yourself: I am confident in who I am.

Habits are not needs

It’s easy to imagine that they are, as it lets us off the hook as habits become negative, or even addictions. If someone else is thriving without the habit we seem to need, then it’s likely a desire pretending to be a need. For example, You can be a successful professional without spending time on social media.

Do you need to start or finish?

In some areas of life, value is unlocked by starting. Even a five-minute workout or a short walk can reset your mood and benefit your body. In other areas, value is unlocked by finishing. It does you no good to build a bridge halfway across the river. You need to complete the project to realize its value.

Do you need to start or finish?

Are you building a body or building a bridge?