There are certain commitments if we make to ourselves, not only do we benefit, but so do those who surround us. Here are 5 commitments you can make in order to live happier
Commit to putting yourself first
Committing and putting time, effort, and focus on yourself, is first on this list and by far the most important aspect for success, happiness, and fulfillment– why? because you can’t pour from an empty cup. The same way that on an airline if the oxygen masks pops down in an emergency– the mother’s instinct is to take care her child’s mask before her own– we must attend to ourselves first. In this example, if the mother goes unconscious trying to help her child, they’re both dead. In life, (although most scenarios are much less graphic), when we fail to help ourselves and prioritize time for our own self care routines– when we fail to show love and respect to ourselves– our ability to care for others diminishes.
For all the mother’s, father’s, or business owners, who don’t have time to workout, to eat, to read, to journal, to have time to themselves– stop waiting for the right moment when things slow down or when everyone else is taken care of and make time and take care of your damn self, first and foremost. When you do so, good things will happen and the people you are trying so desperately to please will also benefit in both the short and long term. Make time for yourself to get healthy, bring back some child-hood hobbies, and be happier for yourself and for those around you…
You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first
NOrm Kelly
Commit to ongoing self improvement and discovery
Although the answer to life’s big questions could be a never ending back and forth– two things I’m pretty certain of would be that fulfillment is found in helping and being kind to others, and that humans were not meant to stay the same. Mother Nature has shown us that we are, in fact, primed for adaptation, growth, and learning– physically, mentally, and spiritually– so why resist rather than run to it?
My mother has often told me, “practice makes the teacher”. I’m not sure where she got that, or if it’s grammatically correct, but over-time, even 30 minutes– 1/48th of a 24 hour day adds up and compounds in the effects. I grew up looking confident on the outside, because of my athletic ability and natural sense of competitiveness, but filled with self-doubt and uncertainty on the inside (even now, that hasn’t changed as much as I would like to say it has). I never thought I was smart or intelligent, because my grades were sub-par and in school grades are the measure of successor failure you get for your “level of intelligence”. It used to bother me, but now when it comes to the question of whether I am intelligent or not (or someone who may think I am or that I’m not) I could give three shits less. Why you ask? because whether I’m intelligent, matters not if I believe that humans have an innate ability to learn and that I’m willing to put the time in
Humans are learning, adaptation machines
Tom Bilyeu, Impact Theory
Commit to liking others
When we like someone, even if we’ve never met, good things tend to happen. We give off a different energy that that person recognizes subconsciously and is attracted to. Our body language changes. We listen deeper and subconsciously, we say to them, I believe that you are important– you matter and I am here for you. And during the times we find someone who we don’t particularly like, ask yourself this: how hard have I tried to like them?
When we try to like someone and engage in conversation, not only are we more kind, patient, and empathetic– we may often find similarities or things we find interesting about the other person we never would have known. Maybe they will not be your mate, but if you ask the right questions with genuine care, you may understand why they are who they are, and suddenly, the person who you thought was grumpy or quiet, has really just had a few bad days and no one to talk to about them..
Daily acts of kindness to others, regardless of their age, sex, religion, mental, or physical health are the simplest way we can personally promote positive change in the world– one smile at a time. If each day each person who read this committed to helping one person a day — the world would be a better place.
”Whoever save one life save the world entire…”
Oscar Schindler
Commit to giving value to others
A mentor of mine once pulled me aside when I was struggling and told me he was here to help and he looked me in the eye and said, “Devon, my success is based on your success– in order for me to succeed, I need you to succeed“. It’s something that always stuck with me as it’s how many of the most influential and successful entrepreneurs, coaches, parents, teachers, or leaders of any sort view their role and measure their success– by the success of others
If you’re a parent, the more time and valuable lessons you spend teaching your children, the more they will grow up prepared for life, and the deeper relationship you will have. A teacher who can find ways to give value and help their students understand and progress, the higher outlook and value the teacher will have. As a Coach, my value and success is not based on my own progress or happiness, but based on that of the clients I work with.
When we commit to giving value to others the world tends to give it back in some way, whether it’s increased and ongoing business transactions, deeper relationships, or the feeling of personal fulfillment knowing we are doing good for others…
Commit to becoming more patient
This is and has always been one of my biggest struggles and something that has been a hindrance to my success and happiness, more times than I’m proud to admit. Setting ambitious goals, is great– just remember that whether in the realm of fitness, finance, personal or spiritual well-being, or whatever other meaningful goal you may have– success takes time and patience is key.
In the 21st century, technology has taught us to be less patient and to have high expectations at all times. Slow down, enjoy the moment, and be in it for the long game. To the 25 year old who is worried because you have not achieved your dreams, are stable financially, or have made your impact in the world, relax– your 25, not 85. Your independent life has barely begun. To the 50 year old who is going through a mid-life crisis– people live until 100 nowadays and often do their best work in the second half, when they’ve build up 50 years of experience and lessons to look back on– make now your time.
People tend to vastly overestimate what they can accomplish in a year and underestimate what they can accomplish in a decade
Anthony Robbins