10 tips To Help Guide Your Life & Make It Amazing

 10 tips To Help Guide Your Life & Make It Amazing

10 tips To Help Guide Your Life & Make It Amazing

Life can be difficult and confusing. But it doesn’t have to be if we think before we act.  These 10 simple principles can help make decisions, whether they be big or small.

1) Do I need that? Most of us purchase items that we don't need. But what would happen if you control your wants? The answer is that you’d probably have a lot more money and time! So when you are shopping, ask yourself if you really need that. This principle isn’t limited to just purchases. It can include a move, a new job, a relationship, vacation, or most anything. This is just a great decision-making question (which is why I listed it first).

2) Is that the best  you can do? I love this question and use it almost every day. When purchasing items where I believe there may be a little wiggle room in the price, I simply ask the clerk: “Is that the best you can do?”  These seven words could save you loads of money. Don't be afraid to ask and don't ask timidly. Over the past 30 years, this question has literally saved me hundreds of thousands of dollars.

3) Is it time? As in… Is it time to lose weight? Is it time to move? Is it time to get married again? Is it time to buy a new car?  This question requires you to think about a decision that needs to be made.  Once answered, it’s time to act. If the answer is yes, it is time, then have you thought it through thoroughly? If you have, then go for it and don't slow down until it is complete. 

4) Does it really matter? Well, does it? Be honest! Look back at your previous relationship and think about the things that bothered you about your former spouse.  How many of those things really mattered? This question allows you to take a moment to contemplate what is really important and to pick your battles wisely.

5) Think before you speak. We all need a reminder that words have consequences. That is why it is so important that you take a moment to think before you speak.  We have all heard this before, but how many of us put this into practice on a daily basis?  So much of what we say just comes out of our mouth without thought. By taking a moment to think through what you are about to say allows you to contemplate about the impact of your words.  Because once a word is spoken, you cannot take it back.

6) Can I afford it? This is a good question to ask yourself before many of the purchases you make. This will impact nothing less than your financial security. That’s pretty important, don’t you think?  If you simply take the time to think about a purchase, you’ll almost certainly end up buying a lot less. Because unless you hit the lottery, chances are many of the things you’re buying aren’t really something you can (or should) afford. Just because you see something you want, doesn't mean it is wise to buy.

7) Stay on track. Once you have decided to do something, stay on track. Outline what needs to get done and then do it. Stay focused and motivated. Remind yourself of the importance of accomplishing what you have set out to achieve.  Staying on track requires discipline, willpower and inner strength. Easier said than done, no doubt. But I constantly remind myself of my goals and then throughout my day, I ask myself if I am on track. It’s an important gut-check and it helps.

8) Win the argument, lose the battle?  How many of us have won an argument yet lost the battle? Not so smart, is it? Do you always have to be right? In the long run, is it more important to be right than to be happy?  What difference does it make who is right? How does being right affect your relationships? Most times, it makes no difference at all other stirring up contention. If you remind yourself that you don't always have to be right, your relationships will be much happier and peaceful. Sounds nice, doesn’t it? 

9) Who is it about?  Is it about you or someone else?  Is it about your children? Your family? The school? Your church? The community? Ask yourself why and for whom are you doing something? Sometimes we spend more time trying to please others at our own expense and to our own peril.  Throughout your day, ask yourself who you are doing this for? Knowing why you do what you do will provide you with greater clarity and, at the end of the day, greater happiness. 

10) Love unconditionally. Love without expecting anything in return. Love without placing conditions on your love. Love as though you were giving a gift and your only desire is to see the expression on another's face. Love selflessly. Love as you want to be loved. When you love others in pure ways as these, love will flow back to you just as you have given it. 

These 10 phrases require that you spend a lot of time talking to yourself (though hopefully not out loud among crowds of people!) and taking time to reflect on what is important to you. Many of us go throughout our day not taking the time to think, we just react moment by moment to events that happen throughout the day. It’s not a great way to make good decisions, is it? If you remember these principles and questions, they’ll help guide you in achieving a life of greater meaning with less confusion and greater clarity.