Be yourself. Trying to be anyone else is a waste of the person you are. Embrace that individual inside you that has ideas, strengths, and beauty like no one else. Be the person you know yourself to be — the best version of you — on your terms. And above all, be true to “You” — if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it.
Starting today…
1. Get your priorities straight.
Twenty years from now it won’t really matter what shoes you wore today, how your hair looked, or what brand of jeans you bought. What will matter is how you loved, what you learned and how you applied this knowledge.
2. Take full responsibility for your progress.
If you really want good things in your life to happen, you have to make them happen yourself. You can’t sit around and hope that somebody else will help you; you have to make your own future and not think that your destiny is tied to the actions and choices of others. (Note: “The Good Morning Journal” is a great tool for daily progress-tracking and self-reflection.)
3. Know your worth.
When someone always treats you like you’re just one of many options, help them narrow their choice by removing yourself from the equation for awhile. Set some boundaries. Sometimes you have to try not to care, no matter how much you do. Because sometimes you can mean almost nothing to someone who means so much to you. It’s not pride — it’s self-respect. Don’t expect to see positive changes in your life if you surround yourself with negative people. Don’t give part-time people a full-time position in your life. Know your value and what you have to offer.
4. Choose the right perspective.
Perspective is everything. When faced with long check-out lines, traffic jams, or waiting an hour past your appointment time, you have two choices: You can get frustrated and enraged, or you can view it as life’s way of giving you a guilt-free breather from rushing, and spend that time daydreaming, conversing, or watching the clouds. The first choice will raise your blood pressure. The second choice will raise your consciousness.
5. Don’t let old problems punish your present potential.
Learn to let go of things you can’t control. The next time you’re tempted to rant about a situation that you think ended unfairly, remind yourself of this: You’ll never kill off your anger by beating the story to death. So close your mouth, unclench your fists, and redirect your thoughts. When left untended, life’s little frustrations will slowly wither, and you’ll be left to live in peace as you grow toward a better future.
6. Choose the things that truly matter.
Some things just don’t matter much — like the kind of car you drive. How big of a deal is that in the grand scheme of life? Not a big deal at all. But lifting a person’s heart? Now that matters! The whole problem with most people is, they know what matters, but they don’t choose it. They get distracted. They don’t put first things first. Don’t be one of them! The hardest and smartest way to live is choosing what truly matters, and pursuing it a little bit every day. (Read “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”.)
7. Love who “You” are.
Let someone love you just the way you are — as flawed as you might be, as unattractive as you sometimes feel, and as unaccomplished as you think you are. Yes, let someone love you despite all of this, and let that someone be you.
8. Accept your strengths and weaknesses.
Be confident being you. We often waste too much time comparing ourselves to others, and wishing to be something we’re not. Everybody has their own strengths and weaknesses, and it is only when we accept everything we are, and aren’t, that we are able to become who we are truly capable of being.
9. Stand up for yourself.
You were born to be real, not to be perfect. You’re here to be you, not to be what someone else wants you to be. So stand up for yourself, look them in the eye when you must, and say, “Don’t judge me until you know me, don’t underestimate me until you challenge me fairly, and don’t talk about me until you’ve talked with me.”
10. Learn from others, and move on when you must.
You can’t expect to change people. Either you accept who they are, or you start living your life without them. And just because something ends, doesn’t mean it never should have been. You lived, you learned, you grew, and you moved on. Some people and situations come into your life as blessings, while others come into your life as lessons.
11. Be honest in your relationships.
How do you build credibility? It’s not rocket science. Be honest. Follow through. Honor your word. Say sorry. Listen. Be kind and respectful. And remember that when you’re in a healthy relationship, being faithful on a daily basis isn’t a sacrifice, it’s a joy. Seriously, do not underestimate the power of a loving touch, a kind word, or an honest compliment, all of which have the power to turn a life around.
12. Get comfortable with being a little uncomfortable.
Life as we know it can change in a blink of an eye. Unlikely friendships can blossom, important careers can be tossed aside, and a long lost hope can be rekindled. It might feel a little uncomfortable at times, but know that life begins at the end of your comfort zone. So if you’re feeling uncomfortable right now, know that the change taking place in your life is not an ending, but a new beginning. (Read “The Power of Full Engagement”.)
13. Be who you were born to be.
Don’t get to the end of your life and find that you lived only the length of it; live the width of it as well. When it comes to living as a passionate, inspired human being, the only challenge greater than learning to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes, is learning to walk a lifetime comfortably in your own. Follow your heart and take your brain with you. When you are truly comfortable in your own skin, not everyone will like you, but you won’t care about it one bit.
14. Don’t give up on what matters.
Strength shows not only in the ability to hold on, but in the ability to start over when you must. It is never too late to become what you might have been. Keep learning, adapting, and growing. You may not be there yet, but you are closer than you were yesterday. So keep going, and be low-key sometimes. You don’t need to put everything on social media. Silently progress and let your positive actions speak for themselves.
It’s time to make the very best of it!
Do your best to live a life that moves, shakes, and makes you laugh out loud every day. Because you don’t want to get to the end, or to tomorrow even, and realize that your life is a collection of meetings and “somedays” and errands and receipts and empty promises.
Go ahead and sing out loud in the car with the windows down, and dance in your living room, and stay up late laughing, and paint your walls any color you want, and enjoy some sweet wine and chocolate cake. Yes, and go ahead and sleep in on clean white sheets, and throw parties, and paint, and write poetry, and read books so good they make you lose track of time. And just keep living and making God glad that he gave life to someone who loves and cherishes the gift…
- Think deeply.
- Speak gently.
- Love lots.
- Laugh often.
- Work hard.
- Give back.
- Expect less.
- Be present.
- Be kind.
- Be honest.
- Be true to yourself.
Now it’s your turn…
Yes, it’s your turn to make the very best of it today!
But before you go we would love to hear from you.
Which point mentioned above resonates with you the most today?
Please leave Marc and me a comment below and let us know what you think of this essay. Your feedback is important to us. 🙂
Also, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to sign-up for our free newsletter to receive two new articles like this in your inbox each week.
Photo by: Johanna MacDonald
laya says
Thank you for this nice summary. Speaks to the authentic me today for sure. And thanks for your wonderful weekly emails too. I get a little something out of them all.
Jerome William Kobishop says
Thanks so much for your messages. They help us see what matters in this over-connected highly misunderstood world we live in today. Please keep up the good work.
Harmit Paul singh says
Ur article gives lots power and faith in one’s self. It’s very empowering toe me right now.
Kathy L. says
Loved this!! Thank you so much!
Shelby says
Thank you for the inspiring words to live by. It means alot to share some of the same rules to live life by someone else. The world is still a good place with good people learning and expanding everyday.
meeee says
Over the past 10-11 years – yes, I’ve been reading your work for that long – your blog has changed my life in lots of small ways. And I read one of your newest articles or emails every so often now just to remind myself of what I’ve learned and why. This post was a wonderful summary on many levels. Thank you.
L says
Thank you.
Leslie says
“Making God glad that He gave life to someone who loves and cherishes the gift.”
That sentence gave me some perspective today.
Thank you!
Clarissa Barrett says
Yes, I too was encouraged by this line: “Making God glad that He gave life to someone who loves and cherishes this gift.”
Sandra says
Really liked the “don’t talk about me until you’ve talked with me.” But I agree what meant the most was making God glad.
Elizabeth says
Thank you for this wonderful reminder of embracing my life on my terms. Also, great reminder to be myself and LOVE myself a little more today.
Debbie says
These are all very important, but the first one is really important “1.Get your priorities straight. – Twenty years from now it won’t really matter what shoes you wore today, how your hair looked, or what brand of jeans you bought. What will matter is how you loved, what you learned and how you applied this knowledge.”
How you loved will count in the end. By loving yourself first (minus the ego) you open the door for others to love you.
When we stop being who we are meant to be in this world, that is when we take from the world instead of giving back to it.
It is what is inside that really matters, like you say your shoes or clothing don’t matter, but it sure matters how you loved.
Let your light shine bright, the world is waiting to hear from the real you.
Thanks and blessing you both of you,
Debbie
Barb says
I am new to your posts and so grateful to have found you. Every message has so much meaning. Knowing your worth reminded me to let go of a relationship with a loved one that has dramatically changed and no longer healthy for me. It just causes me hurt, anger and confusion that I don’t want to carry around everyday any more. Time to set some boundaries.
MichelleE says
Number 3 “Know your worth” just resonated with me today. I found out I meant very little to someone who meant the world to me. And I walked away after three years of trying because I knew I deserved better. I was so sad and disappointed but reading your post just gave me hope. I’m me! And I am awesome, just the way I am. Thank you for this great post. Whenever I read your blog, it feels like you’ve written it just for me.
Please keep it coming!
Amy says
Your last line…”just keep living and making God glad that he gave life to someone who loves and cherishes the gift…”
I always learn/take away something from your posts but this one line today really got me! My life IS a gift and I need to live each day like it is- no matter what is going on in it. Thank you for sharing this wisdom with us!
Gail says
I especially liked speak gently, love lots and laugh often. Simple, and these I could improve each day.
Ellen says
LOVE THIS!
#9 and #10 are two that I need to live by more. I often have a hard time standing up for myself and also moving on. I tend to be a people pleaser and always think the best of everyone, letting their good qualities supersede the not so desirable ones.
It was enlightening to read all these human characteristics in such detail and the article reinforces a life well lived with dignity and grace.
Ella says
AH. So many here matter. SO many speak directly to my core. ALL are needed by my heart, my being just now. But it is a toss up between what I need the most #3 and #13…. always in 3’s. Thank you Marc and Angel.
Lady Faye says
Absolutely excellent. Keep it up. My inspiration for the day.
Xo
John says
Common sense never goes out of style, even at 72 years old. A simple but good set of reminders for me here. Thanks.
MTG says
Good stuff!
Eileen says
Hello, Marc and Angel,
I find your essays very interesting and thought provoking, and look forward to reading them as often as I receive them in my email. So many things you wrote in this article resonate with me but the one that stands out particularly to me today is that strength not only shows in one’s ability to hold on but also in one’s ability to let go and start over, this is golden! Another one that resonates well with me is that you can’t expect positive things to happen in your life when you are surrounded by negative people. I will read this article over again.
Bien Nelson says
I truly embraced the thought “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” … How true!
Jessie says
I have a journal with prompts and one of the questions was name someone that you have never met but has helped you a lot. My answer was Marc and Angel. For more than a decade I read your articles every time I need to hear wise words to let me carry on with life. A simple thank you would not be enough to express my gratitude for your help. Bless you.
Thendo says
Powerful and meaningful article
Keep it up with these life-changing articles.
Lou says
I like your list – speak gently, love, laugh, give back, and the others… thanks.
Poobalan says
Thanks for the article. All the 14 points are sensitive to a man to lead a life in this materialistic world.
Lory says
I liked all of these Rules for being you. But the best one is: Take full responsibility for your progress.
If you really want good things in your life to happen, you have to make them happen yourself. You can’t sit around and hope that somebody else will help you; you have to make your own future and not think that your destiny is tied to the actions and choices of others
Thanks you for all your positive quotes. I have passed some of your newsletters on and and some of my friends have joined you. Please don’t stop . You emails are very uplifting.