The Secret to a Great Life
So, you want to know the secret?
Here it is: simply do the right things (and avoid doing the wrong things) day after day, week after week, year after year.
Yeah, I know this sounds like state-the-obvious for beginners, but just bear with me for a few more lines.
We all know right from wrong. Eat apples, not chocolates. Work on that important project, don’t binge the latest Netflix series. Save for retirement, don’t splurge on another electronic gadget you don’t really need.
Yet, we keep on doing the wrong stuff. Why? Because it gives instant pleasure. Yes, we know there will be pain down the road, but when that chocolate cake looks at us with those big brown eyes, we must devour it.
It’s basic instinct.
Luckily, human beings are capable of controlling their basic instincts. Willpower is essentially useless in this battle, but there is a tried and tested solution: intelligent design.
Designing a life where you are in control will be a recurring theme on this blog. But for now, let’s start with the simplest of habits that lies at the foundation to a good life:
Monday 1-minute action Set a constant sleep and wake time on your phone
If you have an iPhone, just visit the bedtime function of the clock. Android users need to install an app like “Sleep as Android” or simply set two recurring alarms: one for bedtime and one for waking up.
Go on. Just do it. Just for tonight…
Then join me tomorrow morning as I try to convince you to go for another day 😉
Martjie
July 1, 2019 @ 8:56 am
Totally applicable for today: “Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Schalk
July 1, 2019 @ 9:22 am
True that. I really hope that this blog can help a few people with this step.
While planning the outline, I just realized once again how many tiny little steps are required to craft an environment where you can be at your best. And these little steps can only be taken one at a time.
Olinda Cerff
July 10, 2019 @ 11:09 pm
Ek het weerstandige deppressie (geen medikasie werk nie Is by die beste psg.
Hy is ñ navorsings psg en ñ proff. Ek werk nie meer nie. Moes op 52 ophou werk. Nog nooit getroud of kinders…bly in ñ woonstel….veg al 45 j ek bly op Calvinia. Ñ klein plattelandse dorpie. Het net susters wat Kaap bly.
Schalk
July 11, 2019 @ 6:02 am
Ek is beslis geen ekspert op depressie nie, maar van die bietjie wat ek weet is ek seker dat consistency ‘n goeie ding is. Consistency is net nog moeiliker (en nog belangriker) vir mense met depressie as vir ander.
Kyk of die bietjie positiwiteit op hierdie blog elke oggend dalk bietjie help 🙂
Goed begin is half gewin! | Alta Cloete
July 21, 2019 @ 10:52 am
[…] We’ll talk a lot more about morning routines in coming posts. But for now, let’s just start with building the habit of giving ourselves a fair shot at a great day by getting our asses up and running at the same time each morning (discussed yesterday). […]