Are you ready to live your best life?
The journey to a better tomorrow begins with the steps you take today.
Life is hard and the world seems upside down right now. There are so many societal pressures, economic pressures, and even the challenging pressures of day-to-day living that give us the feeling that we are far, far away from actually living our best life.
But we don’t have to allow our circumstances to keep us from moving forward.
There are things you can be doing—right now, today—that will help you live your best life.
Here are ten practices I do in my own life to make sure I am moving forward and living my best life.
1—Stop comparing yourself to others.
The person that you’re comparing yourself to often doesn’t even know that you’re doing it. The only person that you’re hurting is yourself.
Comparison causes us to lose our self-confidence while simultaneously it increases our self-doubt. As a result, it creates a continuous downward spiral of constantly feeling like we’re never enough.
It’s a negative practice that will only lead to negative results.
If you find yourself playing the comparison game, repeat these two words to yourself every time comparison rears its ugly little head…
STOP IT!
2—Take time for yourself.
I’ve said it before, and I will continue to say it. We need to hear these words over and over again.
Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s self-love.
We all need to make sure that we’re caring for ourselves so that we can continue being the caretaker for others.
You can’t continue to give when your own reserves are depleted.
If you want to live your best life, you need to make sure you are taking care of yourself.
No one has that responsibility but you.
3—Remind yourself that struggles are just bumps in the road.
We’re all going to face difficulties in life. That’s just a part of the human condition. We may not like that part of humanity, but it’s a part of life and we are going to have to accept it.
No matter who you are or what you do in life—bumps are going to come.
Sometimes those bumps feel like boulders and are almost impossible to climb. But if you face those challenges with courage, determination, and a positive attitude, you will be better prepared to face whatever comes your way.
To live your best life, it’s important to recognize that every challenge you’ve faced has made you who you are and will help define who you become.
Above all, it’s how you respond to life’s struggles that will determine who you are.
4—Always remember that you are not alone.
I think that a lot of times we feel like we’re the only person struggling or suffering from something.
But you are never alone. There are people who have traveled the same difficult journey you’re traveling who you can reach out to for encouragement and support.
In addition to this, there are so many people around each of us—friends, family, support groups—who are standing at the ready to strengthen us and walk with us through any difficulty we may face.
It’s important to reach out and grab onto those lifelines who were put on your path to help walk it with you.
These same people are also there to remind each of us that we are never alone.
5—Let go of those people who are keeping you stuck.
While you’re holding tight to those people who support you, who build you up, and who love you, it is equally important that you let go of the toxic relationships with people who are constantly living in a negative space.
I’ve met many people who make it their life’s mission to point out every negative thing that has happened in their life (or the life of another).
Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s okay to complain. We all need to express our emotions. That way they don’t build up inside of us and explode one day.
But if you want to live your best life, it’s vital that you understand that when you’re hyper-focused on the negative stuff, it will be hard to ever see the positive.
6—Practice mindfulness, positive affirmations, and evening gratitudes.
Even just one of these practices will make a huge difference in your life.
With all of the noise in the world, it’s crucial that we create a space where we can find peace of mind and heart.
Adding this kind of positivity to your life will not only change your day, but it will change your perspective. It will change the atmosphere of your home or office. And it will ultimately change your life.
7—Stop listening to the naysayers.
No matter what we do in our lives, there’s always going to be someone who has something negative to say.
Don’t listen to them.
If you’re happy with what you’re doing and you are finding joy in it, don’t worry about what anyone else says.
Because the truth is—it doesn’t matter.
Don’t let yourself worry about what other people are saying. Their opinion is just that—their opinion.
To live your best life, do those things you feel driven to do and stop listening to the voices telling you that you can’t.
This leads me right into the next step.
8—Pursue your passion.
I find it sad that so many people today are living a life without their passion in it.
Now I’m not saying to go out and quit your job tomorrow.
What I am saying is that you only have one life—one short life. And we all deserve to find something we’re passionate about.
Your passion may not be your career. But you can still have a career that pays the bills while also pursuing your passion.
Whether it’s doing volunteer work, playing in a community symphony, starring in a community play, or having a hobby, find something you love to do and make the time to do it regularly.
9—Don’t give up when times are tough.
As I said earlier, we are all going to have tough times in this life, whether we want to admit it or not. That’s just how life is.
But when we’re faced with those obstacles, we can’t let them defeat us or we’ll start doubting ourselves even more.
We need to be willing to move past whatever difficulties come so they don’t stop us in our ability to move forward.
When tough times come, find a way through or around or over the obstacle. Break it down into manageable pieces. Find someone to help you through it. Whatever it takes—just don’t give up.
Learn from the hard and keep moving forward.
10—Remember that there is only one you.
Be proud of who you are and recognize that you make a difference in the world.
The choices you make every day make a difference—choose wisely.
Choose kindness.
Choose to be the good in the world.
More than anything else, this is how you successfully live your best life.
