To feel happy, learn to say no:
1. Excessive self-criticism
You are almost always better than you think you are.
2. Procrastination
Stop thinking and get down to business. Marcus Aurelius said: “A person should not be afraid of death, but that he will never begin to live.”
3. Blackening yourself
Don’t focus on flaws, strive to be better. “Remember: someone loves exactly what you hate yourself for.” – Frank Ocean, American musician and photographer.
4. Selfishness
Learn to give, because, as you know, egoists remain alone.
5. Perfection
Don’t waste time pursuing an unattainable ideal. More often than not, it is enough to do something well. As Winston Churchill wrote: “Perfection is the enemy of progress.”
6. Excuses
Ask yourself “Why?” Three times and you will understand the real reason. American scientist, educator and preacher George Washington Carver said: “99% of losers are people who are used to making excuses.”
7. The habit of comparing yourself to others
Don’t look at your competitors, take care of yourself. Comparison is a pleasure thief – Theodore Roosevelt.
8. Impulsive decisions
Try to think about every important step.
9. Harmful food
Seems that healthy meals are tasteless? The longer you prefer them, the tastier they will become. Take care of your body – the very “place” in which you live.
10. Skipping lunch or dinner
To function properly, the brain must receive nutrition. Eat better, not less. Remember the sad pattern: “skipping meals -> hunger -> overeating -> gaining weight.”
11. Vehicle abuse
Is it 15 minutes walk to the nearest store? Walk and go. As Thomas Jefferson wrote: “Walking is the best exercise possible. Train yourself to take long walks. “
12. To translate the alarm
Focus on your goals and set deadlines so tight that five more minutes doesn’t come to mind.
13. Daily parties
The parties themselves are great, but not every day. Keep your goals in mind and plan for a good rest. Oscar Wilde said: “Everything needs moderation, even in moderation.”
14. Pathogens before bedtime
Nothing should interfere with proper sleep, because, as the Dalai Lama says, “sleep is the best meditation.”
15. Long road to work
Try to spend as little time as possible on activities that don’t serve your purpose. If it takes a long time to get to the office, at least try to read or listen to podcasts.
16. Anything that distracts
It is impossible to do something global, constantly being distracted by trifles. When you have a big task to do, try to shield yourself from any irritants.
17. Something that interferes with personal progress
Toxic friend? We block. Too many Netflix series, video games? We block. Come back to this when it’s time to relax.
18. Reading that does not bring joy
You don’t have to finish reading a book, article, or even a social media post just because you started. The author will not find out about this anyway. Stop reading things that are not enjoyable, so you have time for something enjoyable. “Life is too short to read a bad book,” wrote James Joyce.
19. Completion of useless tasks
Plan, prioritize, complete only important tasks. Listen to the advice of the American economist Peter Drucker: “There is nothing more useless than effectively doing work that you don’t need to do at all.”
20. Planning what you just need to do
As the legendary Nike slogan said: “Just do it!”
21. For those who only take
Better to say “yes” more often to those who are used to giving.
22. Social networks
Remove Facebook and Instagram from your phone. You just have an extra hour to spare (and not just today, but every day).
23. Defaming others
Start treating people better. Don’t hate, compose, or gossip. Do not treat others in a way that you would not like to be treated.
24. Listening to gossip
Gossip is poisonous. Avoid those who spread rumors and constantly complain about others. As the Turkish proverb says, “Whoever gossips with you will gossip about you as well.”
25. Skeptics
According to Arianna Huffington, editor-in-chief of the American online edition The Huffington Post: “Skeptics do not influence us – unless we ourselves allow them to.” It seems worth taking note of.
26. Bad habits
Don’t let yourself get caught up in a routine that gets in the way of productivity. According to American entrepreneur Warren Buffett, “the chains of habits are so light at first that you don’t even feel them, but after that they are so hard that you cannot throw them off.”
27. Unscheduled meetings
Spontaneous meetings and meetings drag on for too long and in fact do not bring any benefit. Try to avoid them. “Disorganization always affects efficiency,” said 34th US President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
28. Planning too long
During meetings with colleagues, do not let them be distracted, return to the original topic. It sounds harsh, but in the end they will be grateful to you. As the American jazzman Miles Davis said: “Time is not the most important thing, but the only thing that matters at all.”
29. Bad customers
If the client is being disrespectful, don’t waste time and energy on them, focus on the ones who are worth it.
30. Good
Say yes to not just good things, but really great ones. “The good is the enemy of the great,” says Jim Collins, an American business consultant, it is difficult to disagree with him.
31. Cluttered space
Disassemble your workspace, clean up your files, clear your mind.
32. Spontaneous replies to emails
Try to set aside separate time for mailing.
33. Personal affairs during work
Work at work, very soon it will bear fruit.
34. Working business outside working hours
It’s the same here: if you are at home, take care of your family. American business coach and speaker Jim Rohn writes: “When you’re at work, work. When you are having fun, have fun. Do not mix one with the other. “
35. Tasks that can be delegated
The ability to delegate is a powerful superpower that each of us can find. “The art of delegation is one of the key skills that any entrepreneur can master. Finding people who can do a great job of what you don’t do well will free up time to plan for further business development, ”says entrepreneur Richard Branson.
36. Bad business partners
If you can’t agree, then it’s time to leave. “I cannot control your behavior, and I don’t want to. But I will not put up with disrespect, lies, or mistreatment. I have standards – meet them or leave, ”writes the author of motivating books, Steve Maraboli.
37. TV and sofa
Part yourself, at least for a while, with the dewy comfort to focus on what’s important.
38. Idleness
Are you waiting for the latte to be prepared or the file is uploaded to the letter? Do something useful.
39. Something that does not help to get closer to the goal
Question the appropriateness of what you are going to do.
40. Comparison of things that cannot be compared
Take advice from Bill Gates: “Don’t compare yourself to anyone. By doing so, you are insulting yourself. “
41. To your smartphone
Many really productive people keep their phone on airplane mode most of the day. “Technology can be our best friend, but it can also poison our lives. They interfere with thinking, daydreaming and fantasizing, ”Steven Spielberg is sure.
Are you ready to say no to at least some of the items on your list? Do it now. Reading an article on your smartphone? Just close the tab. The ability to say no is a skill that can and should be honed and improved. Get down to business!
About the author: Danny Forest is a blogger, lecturer.
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