How do you make 2017 and beyond your best year ever? Read this discussion from Stuart Zadel about 5 thoughts you should live by.
Some of us are on a quest for something bigger than ourselves.
And it may be the season, or the irony of it, that we come to really reflect on how we can do something beyond ourselves.
So we create our New Year’s resolutions.
But unfortunately, it’s common for us to lose our resolve on our own resolutions.
Here’s what I believe: every day and every year offer us a chance to start anew; to start that can really fulfil those dreams and ambitions.
I wanted to talk about this with you today because I think that in the ‘game of life’, looking back from the end game’s perspective offers insights about how we could have ‘played’ our life differently. It’s a good habit to look back at our experiences and to reflect on how we can make the new year our best yet.
So here it goes!
STRIVE TO LIVE AN AUTHENTIC LIFE
That is, be true to yourself. You have to quit living somebody else’s life.
One time, I saw an interview with Paul Hogan on TV. I don’t watch much television but I happened to catch this for some reason. Paul said something like this: he lost his father rather early and this experience got him thinking, ‘hey if there’s something you want to do in life, go and do it.’
Do it immediately and do it now.
Don’t wait for tomorrow, next year or next week. Just get out and do it now. You’ve got to quit worrying about what other people think of you. It’s your life and you need to make sure you live that in an authentic way
The Story Of The Dentist
The story I always tell is about a dentist I knew – he was around 44-45 years old. I met him a while ago and asked, “do you enjoy it?” He looked at me sadly and said, “no, I hate it.” I said, “so why do you do it?” He said, “my mum told me it would be a good career once I left school.” I said, “what does she think now?” He said, “she’s dead. She’s been dead for over 20 years.”
Man, talk about being in control beyond the grave.
Anyway, you’ve got a life to live, so make sure its an authentic one. Now I’m not saying that you be reckless or be inconsiderate of others around you. But this thing only works when you’re authentic – when you live your own life.
DON’T WORK SO HARD
I believe that no one on their death bed will say, ‘you know, I wish I’d spent more time in the office.’ They always said they wish they’d spent more time with friends and family. I don’t have any children at this point and so my case could potentially be a little bit different.
However, I understand many family men. I understand that one of the greatest joys in doing what they do is their family and their children. Yet, they don’t spend the time they’re with them to enjoy that and see that happen.
The end result is often money, give or take, but it’s life’s experiences that count and what you share with your family and friend that really matter. You can work out whether to work lesser or to work smarter or whatever, then go from there.
I certainly think you need to look at what you’re doing with your time and develop systems or strategies that can give you more time, more freedom and a greater financial result.
EXPRESS YOUR FEELINGS MORE
We live in a culture that doesn’t really promote, in general, the expression of feelings. Males in our society are taught to become paranoid against emotion – big boys don’t cry, keep a stiff upper lip, all that sort of stuff. Yet, this leads to, perhaps, truncated communication instead of the honest expression of our feelings and emotions.
Sooner or later in life, we’re going to see the people closest to us for the last time ever. But we don’t know when that’s going to be. So maybe we need to treat each day as if it’s the last time we’ll see the ones we love – ever.
Maybe expressing how you feel takes other forms, too. Like things of value or wealth. Now, I’m always saying that there are many forms of wealth, and money is one of them. However, there are way more valuable ones above that. Like your health. I’m always suggesting your health, which ties back to not working so hard. To work and to sacrifice your health for that isn’t a smart thing to do.
STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Stay in touch with your friends; both past and present. Again, I think this gives richness and value to your life – especially friends from your past. You can’t replace them.
I went to an all-boys school, a state school, and most of my mates, when I was young, were males because of that. Now, I’ve got a best mate from when I was 13 to mid-20s. The times we’ve been buddies cannot be replaced. That growing up, those teenage years, and all those sorts of stuff I know I can’t replace. So to keep in touch, we have a thing called ‘guy night.’
Generally, once a month, we catch up. We might watch some sports; we talk about what’s going on; we have a meal, all that sort of stuff. It’s a fun thing, and it’s nice and enriching to catch up with them. So spend more time or staying in touch with your good friends is very good.
BE HAPPIER
This one is quite surprising for some people because, at the end of their lives, they all realise that happiness was, in fact, a choice. Despite what happened to you, happiness is a choice. A little bit of the great things happen and you can choose to be miserable. A little bit of the bad stuff happen but you can choose to be happy.
ing developing countries like those in Asia. Thailand, Vietnam, The Philippines
Change to – If you’re ever doubtful, try visiting developing countries like those in Asia. Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines. These countries are all considered third-world, but they’re known for people who smile and take their lives in stride despite the challenges they face.
It’s even remarkable that we now have coined the term ‘first world problems.’ So whether or not you choose to be happy is your choice.
It’s even remarkable that we now have coined the term ‘first world problems’ to signify that we only own certain problems. As a consequence, we tend to be grumpy about it. So whether or not you choose to be happy is your choice.
So I’m going to leave you now with a final point. It goes a little bit like this:
Life is primary, money secondary.
I hope you get that right, most people haven’t. Life is primary, money is secondary. Money is meant to make you have a great life. If you want to get back at them if you want to live a great life and have the ultimate revenge on anything or anyone in this lifetime, here’s what you do:
Have a beautiful life.
Note:
Have you heard about the lady named Bronnie Ware?
Well, Bronnie Ware was an Australian Palliative Nurse who wrote the book, ‘The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying’.
Yes, that’s the title of the book, and it’s where I based my discussion from.
It sounds sombre but I got a nice surprise out of it and a little secret at the end. So this one’s dedicated to Bonnie and her book, and to the huge improvement you’ll introduce into your lives this coming year.
