Time flies. Life is what you make of it. Everyday is a day of opportunity.
Think it. Seek it. Find it. Live it.
Life is too short not to make the best and the most
of everything that comes your way everyday.
– Sasha Azevedo
- Do something everyday that excites you.
- Read classic novels.
- Travel somewhere you’ve never been with someone you’ll never forget.
- Settle on a reasonable long-term goal and do 3 things everyday that bring you closer to your goal.
- Avoid TV.
- Buy happiness with a smile.
- Get involved in your community.
- Talk to perfect strangers. Make new friends.
- Help others when you’re able.
- Get in shape
. Walk or jog a mile every morning.
- Learn one simple skill every week.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Take notice of the simple joys life has to offer.
- Be creative. Build something from the ground up, no matter how small.
- Learn a new joke everyday and tell it to someone else.
- Spend a few quiet minutes alone each day… think.
- Dedicate yourself to discovering solutions in the face of problems.
- Surround yourself with positive people who share goals similar to your own.
- Study for a degree that intrigues you or take a few classes in your field of interest.
- Organize a monthly game of poker (or any game) with your best friends.
- Watch the sunrise at least once a week.
- Watch the sunset at least once a week.
- Engage yourself in a meaningful hobby.
- Ask your spouse or best friend to be your business partner and get something fun started on the side
- Express your creativity in art, photography, music, film, etc.
- Try something completely new every chance you get.
- Listen to a variety of music on a regular basis.
- Study the people you admire. Analyze their habits and duplicate them.
- Tend a small garden and eat your own produce.
- Have incredible sex
- Pull the trigger on doing something you’ve been thinking about for a long time, but haven’t yet had the guts to do.
- Socialize, socialize, and socialize!
- Visit friends and family you haven’t seen in years.
- Stop tip-toeing around like a little pipsqueak. Own your ideas. Follow them through to fruition.
- Throw a quarterly blowout party at your place. Invite all your favorite people and let them bring someone along.
- Spend more time outdoors entwined in Mother Nature.
- If you hate your job, find a new one. Life is short. Don’t be scared to bounce around until you find a job you enjoy doing
- Get into the habit of realizing that it is never too late.
- Stop being so serious. Lighten up. Laugh.
- Go after as many life experiences as time permits. Explore the world around you.
- Learn to surf… and surf. It truly is a remarkable experience.
- Rise earlier. Take on the world when your mind is fresh.
- Be compassionate. Be a friend every chance you get.
- Organize yourself and your living space. It will save you precious time.
- Stop worrying about what you don’t have and start enjoying what you do have.
- Set 3 priorities each morning and accomplish them by nightfall.
- Focus on the positives. Never dwell on the negatives.
- Be romantic. Surprise her.
- Challenge yourself. Don’t take the easy road to mediocrity.
- Stop wasting time on non-essential chores.
- Learn to get things done effectively
- Shit happens. Move beyond your mistakes immediately.
- There’s a big different between being scared and being prepared. Always be prepared.
- Educate yourself every chance you get. Be a jack of all trades and a master of few.
- Eat slower. Enjoy your food.
- Be slower. Relax.
- Use time-saving tricks and properly manage your time.
- Leave work at work.
- Perfect is the enemy of good. Shoot for living the good life.
- Eat at least one meal a day with family or friends.
- Ask for help. You’ll never get what you don’t ask for.
- Always ask questions. Doing so will save you time and grief.
- Learn to say no.
- Always keep your eye on the prize. Maintain your focus on the outcome, not the current road block.
- Play hard. You only live once. Live it up!
- Spend less than you make.
- Do one thing at a time… and do it well.
- Simplify. Simplify. Simplify.
- Be efficient while giving your mind a rest: Write stuff down.
- Own less. Do more.
- Avoid the common cold. Wash your hands before eating.
- Stop driving like a maniac. It’s less stressful and far safer.
- Practice self-sufficiency. Once you attain it, nobody can take it away from you.
- Be spontaneous.
- Always keep your promises.
- Sleep well.
- Remain approachable to others. The more people you meet, the more opportunities you will receive.
- Make a continuous habit of realigning your habits with the things that make you happy.
Photo by: jjjohn
Chris - Zen to Fitness says
Great post, just what I needed. Your pumping out quality work all the time definitely one of the most useful and inspiring blogs on the net!! Thanks for this post!
Frugal Dad says
This an awesome list…especially #29! Thanks for the mention on the square foot garden. Even if the garden produces little yield in terms of edible crops, I’ve found it therapeutic as a stress reliever.
Sid Savara says
“Own less. Do more.”
This is my favorite on the list. If I had to pick just one thing that is the key, this would be it. Life is all about friendships, experience and spending time with the people you love.
No matter what you say, you don’t really LOOOVVEE your Gucci bag 😉
harmzie says
I like your posts. They are simple and – *I* feel – designed to make you think, rather than (in this case) being a prescriptive checklist.
I just wanted to thank you and hopefully pre-empt the losers who would say “I have a defetive balance centre and it is unreasonable to expect that I would learn to surf!” (with apologies to those with a defective balance centre but DO get the point of this & other lists)
Uncommonadvic says
Once again you guys have outdone yourselves. I love this site!
"Motivate Thyself" says
This is a great list to read over every month or so as a reminder of how to stay balanced, healthy and happy. Thanks for sharing. Eric.
Leanne Magraith | Forever Change says
Be bold, follow your passion, live, love, laugh, relax and enjoy is what I got out of this. A great way to live our lives.
For tip #55 Be slower. Relax.
Meditation is great for this, or even just spending a few minutes concentrating on your breathing will help. I used to think meditation was for hippy types who were opting out of life. Now I realise that meditation helps you connect with life with much greater purpose and balance.
Jonathan Mead says
Any list that has incredible sex on it is all right by me.
http://illuminatedmind.net
Marc says
@All: Thanks for all the positive comments. We appreciate the feedback. 😉
Kevin says
Marvelous list; thanks. I need to post this in my office at home! Keep up the fine work.
Glen Allsopp says
Once again Marc, another great list. Must have taken you ages to put together!
Leighna says
Thank you, I always love your posts!
Korean for a Year says
Love the list, especially #2. To that end, I suggest checking out DailyLit.com – I’m currently reading a Tolstoy novel in bite-sized chunks that get emailed daily (or on demand, when I have the time to read more).
Luca says
Love this list, Marc, but why “avoid TV”?
My personal opinion is that there are many interesting programs on TV: even some TV series are interesting and inspiring, for example. And there are many movies which make you really feel better after watching.
IMHO, what must avoided is TV dependence, and a sort of “laziness attitude” or “passiveness” in watching TV. But TV is not evil itself: evil resides on the bad attitudes.
Marc says
@Luca: Very good points. The TV itself is not evil. The abuse of TV watching is evil. Everything in moderation… 😉
kristin says
what does any of this have to do with death? it seems to me this list is more about having a good time than preparing for death. when death comes any of these activities will be a moot point, gone forever. i think the list should be revised to say ’77 ways to prepare the mind before death’. that would be of much more benefit.
Rik says
Living life fully, with no regrets, is the best preparation for death.
Amit says
Hey Guys,
Loving your website, I just stumbled across you! I love the concept of your lists and tips. I hope you don’t mind I’m giving you a link to one of my own that I thought you might enjoy!
Best wishes,
Amit – http://www.unlimitedchoice.org/blog/archives/558
Charles says
These are all very good points. I wll start doing them all!
One thing though: the incredible sex thing is out of my reach as I don’t have a girl. So how am I supposed to do that?
Zoltan - Self-esteem wizard says
Travel, socialize, read classic novels, challenge yourself and many great ideas are mentioned here.
The busier you are the happier and more fulfilling life you will get.
Action can do miracles. Be active, support others and you will get your emotional , mental and financial reward for doing it.
robb says
i find some points are quite the opposite of another.
and some are rather represent the other.
i just can’t be bothered to go through the list to show it.
btw it’s still a good read.
Motivation to Exercise says
The comment about talking to new strangers everyday is so important. We all go through life without every really getting to know a variety of diverse people.
ladyT says
wow what a great list!