You can’t lift a thousand pounds all at once, yet you can easily lift one pound a thousand times. Tiny, repeated efforts will get you there.
I have witnessed people reinventing themselves at all ages — 48-year-olds starting families, 57-year-olds graduating from college for the first time, 71-year-olds starting successful businesses, and more. How did they all do it? In a nutshell, they started being more mindful about making progress in their lives, step by step. And by doing so they changed the trajectory of their lives.
What you need to remember most right now is that it isn’t too early or too late to start making positive changes in your life. Your future is always affected by what you start doing today. Yet so many people wait around for some arbitrary date and time, like tomorrow, to take action. Don’t be one of them! Make yourself a bigger priority starting now. It’s time to…
1. Insist on embracing your humanness.
“Human” is the only real label we are born with, yet we forget so easily. To become attached to a loaded label of overweight, divorced, diseased, rejected, or poor, is to be like the rain, that doesn’t know it is also the clouds… or the ice, that forgets it is water. For we are far more than the shape we’re currently in. And we, like the wind, water, and sky, will change forms many times in our lives, while forever remaining beautifully human.
So forgive yourself for the bad decisions you made, for the times you lacked understanding, for the choices that accidentally hurt others and yourself. Forgive yourself, for being young and reckless. These are all vital lessons. And what matters most right now is your willingness to grow from them.
Once we forgive ourselves and fully embrace our humanness, it’s almost funny to see how seamlessly we can adapt to life’s transitions — how we outgrow what we once thought we couldn’t live without, and then we fall in love with what we didn’t even know we wanted. Take this to heart. And don’t forget to pause regularly to appreciate how far you’ve come. You’ve been through a lot, and you’ve grown a lot too. Give yourself credit for the steps you’ve taken, so you can step forward again with grace.
2. Insist on subtracting what doesn’t belong in your life.
When you discover something that nourishes your soul and brings you joy — something that truly matters to you — care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life. And if you find that you don’t have enough time for what matters, stop doing things that don’t. In other words, start subtracting what isn’t working for you.
Every time you subtract negative from your life, you make room for more positive. Let that sink in. When things aren’t adding up in your life, begin subtracting. Life gets a lot simpler and more enjoyable when you clear the emotional and physical clutter that makes it unnecessarily complicated. And there’s so much you can let go of in life without losing a thing. It’s called growth. Letting go of the old makes way for the new. Letting go of what isn’t working makes way for what will. When the pain of holding on is worse than the pain of letting go, it’s time to let go and grow.
3. Insist on leaving other people’s judgmental opinions alone.
When Marc and I first started writing on this blog, I’d agonize over whether people would think what I was writing was good enough. I desperately hoped they’d like it, and oftentimes I’d catch myself imagining they didn’t. Then one day I realized how much energy I was wasting worrying about it. So I’ve gradually learned to relax with simply not knowing. Some problems in life, such as not knowing what others think of you, are not really meant to be resolved.
What you need to remember is that you can’t control how other people feel, or how they receive your energy. Anything you do or say gets filtered through a mindset occupied by whatever they are going through at the moment, which likely has nothing to do with you. Just keep doing your thing with as much love and passion as possible.
4. Insist on upholding your boundaries.
When it happens, be sure to tune out the cheap shots people take at you. Don’t waste words on people who deserve your silence. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can say is nothing at all. So before you waste it on anger, spite, or frustration, think of how precious and irreplaceable your time is, and carry on with grace.
And remember that not all toxic relationship situations are agonizing and uncaring on purpose. Some of them involve people who care about you — people who have good intentions, but are toxic because their needs and way of existing in the world force you to compromise yourself and your happiness. They aren’t inherently bad people, but they aren’t the right people to be spending time with every day.
You simply can’t ruin yourself on a daily basis for the sake of someone else. You have to create boundaries and make your well-being a priority. Whether that means breaking up with someone, loving a family member from a distance for a little while, letting go of a social obligation, or removing yourself from a daily situation that feels painful — you have every right to create some healthy space for yourself. (Note: Marc and I discuss this in more detail in the Relationships chapter of “1,000 Little Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently”.)
5. Insist on putting your heart and soul into the things you do.
There’s a big difference between empty fatigue and gratifying exhaustion. Starting today aim for the latter. Too often we wait around because we think we need to “find” something new or different to be passionate about, but that’s not true. If you want more passion and satisfaction in your life, act accordingly right now. Put your whole heart and soul into the next thing you do. Not into tomorrow’s opportunities, but the opportunity right in front of you. Not into tomorrow’s tasks, but today’s tasks. Not into tomorrow’s run, but today’s run. Not into tomorrow’s conversations, but today’s conversations…
In the end, purpose is the reason you journey and passion is the fire that lights your way. So start believing in your heart that you’re meant to live each day full of purpose and passion — that each and every moment is worthy in its own way. I’m absolutely certain you have plenty in your life right now that’s worth your time, energy, and passionate focus. You have people and circumstances in your life that need you as much as you need them. You have a massive reservoir of passionate potential within you, just waiting. Stop waiting! Put your heart and soul into what you’ve got right in front of you! Become it, let it become you, and great things will happen for you, to you, and because of you.
6. Insist on stretching yourself in the right ways.
Again, many great things can be done in a day if you don’t always make that day tomorrow. Will it always be easy? No, but remember that when you’re struggling to make progress that’s when you actually are. You want to be stretched to the edge of your ability — it needs to be slightly hard and uncomfortable sometimes. Of course most of us don’t want to be uncomfortable, so we subconsciously run from the possibility of discomfort. The obvious problem with this is that, by running from discomfort, we are constrained to partake in only the opportunities within our comfort zones. And since our comfort zones are relativity small, we miss out on most of life’s greatest and healthiest experiences, and we get stuck in a debilitating cycle.
Choose differently starting today… Go to environments that expand your mind. Spend time with people who inspire you to stretch yourself. Read books. Grow. Get better. Your life is in your hands.
7. Insist on reminding yourself why every step matters.
In the end all the small things make a big difference. Every step is crucial. Life isn’t about a single moment of great triumph and attainment. It’s about the trials and errors that slowly get you there — the blood, sweat, tears, and the small, inconsequential things you do on a day-to-day basis. It all matters in the end — every step, every regret, every decision, every minor setback and minuscule win.
The seemingly useless happenings add up to something. The minimum-wage job you had in high school. The evenings you spent socializing with coworkers you never see anymore. The hours you spent writing thoughts on a personal blog that no one reads. Contemplations about elaborate future plans that never came to be. All those lonely nights spent reading novels and news columns and comic strips, questioning your own principles on life and sex and religion and whether or not you’re good enough just the way you are.
All of this has strengthened you. All of this has led you to every success you’ve ever had. All of this has made you who you are today. And all of this proves that you have the strength to deal with the challenges in front of you. So keep giving yourself grace, and carry on. (Note: “The Good Morning Journal: Powerful Prompts and Reflections to Start Every Day” is a great tool for this kind of self-reflection.)
Now it’s your turn…
Yes, it’s your turn starting today. I hope you will have a delightful one, that you will dream boldly and dangerously, that you will leverage the reminders above to create something that didn’t exist before you took action, that you will love and be loved in return, and that you will find the strength to mindfully accept and grow from the outcomes you can’t change. And, most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and wisdom in this crazy world), that you will, when you must, be wise with your decisions, and that you will always be extra kind to yourself and others.
But before you go, please leave Marc and me a comment below and let us know what you think of this essay. Your feedback is important to us. 🙂
Which one of the points above resonated the most today?
Finally, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to sign-up for our free newsletter to receive new articles like this in your inbox each week.
Rudy says
I truly appreciate this post because I think it encourages people to just be more of themselves, and begin each day on a more sincere and focused note.
I think that something I have to work on more in my life is the ability to make mistakes. It’s okay to make mistakes–fail forward–and I think that sometimes I have to remind myself that, and really appreciate on the freedom to do so.
Nancy says
You nailed it, Rudy!
Sharon Lauther says
A lot to think about and review a few times to incorporate it in my life
Thank you
Jax says
Beautifully written! We all can use these reminders..put into words. I can share with others that could use a different lens in life. Thank you for the positive perspectives.
Maurissa D Rose-Smith says
Excellent article and thoughtful strategies for change..thank you
Lee says
Wisdom I needed as I think about a change I’m currently making in my life. I sometimes forget my humanness and my need for boundaries, especially when I’m around gatherings of people who don’t always lift me up. Thank you.
Lee says
Im a Lee also. I am there with you. Cool.
Catherine says
This is a profoundly enriching article with so many nuggets. I too particularly resonated with “Embracing our Human-ness”. It is true, in life we are human first and I see to forget that. And despite the labels I give myself or others give me, I am human first and I will exist in so many forms in this life. I felt this liberating the hard stance I take to who I should be forgetting, first, I am human. I can’t explain it but wow, mind kinda blown!
Idis says
This article came in at the perfect time I really feel like I’m always the black sheep of the family. For some reason I’m always the one that’s wrong no one else takes fault so I’ve had to remove several people for my life including family. I go over it in my head almost every day thinking why me I just want to feel free from always feeling hurt and thinking that there’s something wrong with me. I’m 55 years old and I’m always feeling lonely searching for happiness and my soulmate or partner instead of just enjoying every day for what it is and let things fall where they may. These articles are really truly helping me. Thank you for taking the time to write these and sharing them with the world
Idis
MJ says
I’m 75 years young today and I fully embrace your philosophy. Thank you for putting yourself out there for the rest of us. It take constant reminders to appreciate our gifts. I feel like the time I have left is going to be a good for me.
Jean Lacombe says
I’m 79, and I feel the same way as you.
I lift weights, do resistance training, and eat healthy.
Right now I am tackling a project of painting my living room ceiling and walls.
It’s so fun starting a project, quietly working with it, enjoying the doing, and seeing it through.
Lee says
Jean..you’re such an inspiration! I admit, painting is abit tedious for me…I find a new project around the house and pour my love into it! Enjoying the beauty of today’s gift. =living!
Randheer says
Amazing articles!
Michael Mc Govern says
Well its all great advice and my dear friend Tom Healy used to post your advice daily on his Facebook page where I came across it. Sadly Tom passed on in the last few months so I looked you up and so glad I found you so inspirational. Kind regards from Mike in Ireland. Also, you’ll be pleased to hear I’ve just published my 1st book recently at 76.
Alice Corti says
Good for you, honoring the present. Congratulations for starting your project on writing a book Right Now and honoring your passion.. May this work bring you fulfillment. It is great to use Marc and Angel’s ideas too.
Sylvia Ebbert says
Congratulations.
Patricia says
Hi guys … I love your wisdom! I haven’t been a daily reader too long but now I never skip a single entry. I am a young 71 year old wife, mother, grandmother and friend and in the past 12 years or so, an artist. Point #2, while not exactly new think for me, it is certainly something I have not applied to my own life maybe ever really. By the time you have lived as long as I have, it will be eye opening to see how much baggage, extra weight I’ve made a part of what I consider vital. So it will require a time of prayer, writing and brutal honesty to get it out there – take that honest look at anything and everything that’s just not working. But my decision is to take the time, and without any self condemnation, at least make the list. Doesn’t call for broad swipes but choosing 1 or 2 things at a time and see how it feels! Thanks for providing your readers a forum to process!
Alfredo says
Great I’m a young 51 years old but it amazing how much we think a like wise words from a wise woman taking it all in little by little thanks inspiring as well.
Pinkie Ndiweni says
l needed to hear this, I am turning 37 next month and I feel like I have been wasting time on all the wrong things. I am going to focus on myself from now on and put energy into what brings out the best in me!
Dr M Ravindra says
Rewritten the points for my easy recall and understanding as below:
Things You Should Insist on Doing for Yourself on a day-today basis or as and when required:
1. Insist on embracing your humanness.
* Forgive yourself for the bad decisions you made, for the times you lacked understanding, for the choices that accidentally hurt others and yourself.What matters most right now is your willingness to grow from them.
2. Insist on subtracting what doesn’t belong in your life.
3. Insist on leaving other people’s judgmental opinions on you-They may be biased or put filters to receive your plans and ideas
4. Insist on upholding your boundaries. and mute…
*Be sure to tune out the cheap shots people take at you. Don’t waste words on people who deserve your silence. There are people who have good intentions, but are toxic because their needs and way of existing in the world force you to compromise yourself and your happiness. They aren’t inherently bad people; may be your family menbers….
5. Insist on putting your heart and soul into the things you do….
6. Insist on stretching yourself in the right ways.
7. Insist on reminding yourself why every step matters.
* trials and errors — the blood, sweat, tears, and the small, inconsequential things you do on a day-to-day basis … It all matters in the end — every step, every regret, every decision, every minor setback…
* Revisit the results and make necessary corrections.
Chris Haywood says
Thank you so much for this mornings thoughts.
I read them with my morning mug of coffee, and they made me give thought to what I am going to do today (Sunday).
There is not a local church service today, so your posting was a suitable replacement. Thank you so much.
David says
“Put your heart and soul into what you’ve got right in front of you! Become it, let it become you, and great things will happen for you, to you, and because of you.” “It all matters in the end — every step, every regret, every decision, every minor setback and minuscule win.” “And, most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and wisdom in this crazy world), that you will, when you must, be wise with your decisions, and that you will always be extra kind to yourself and others.”
Another masterpiece of guidance. Thanks! Hugs.
Deborah says
I LOVED this article! So inspiring and on point about the challenges we face in life. I particularly resonated with finding the power within to let go of someone who doesn’t appreciate me and want to be in my life anymore. It is just not worth it to hold onto something that doesn’t bring me peace. Thank you for all of your encouraging wisdoms.
Gail says
Thank you for so consistently and generously contributing valuable wisdom and kindness to the world. I so look forward to reading your contributions. The world is a better place for many people thanks to your contributions.
Reading and sharing your writings are part of my Dec 2025 & 2026 daily resolutions. Plus it feels so good to feel supported in what seems to be a community mission to make the world better.
Jami says
Thànk you for sharing your wisdom. I’ve been struggling with self forgiveness and needed to hear this. Appreciate you!
Santos Noriega says
Thank you. And Yes , I’ll take action Today even if it’s only one step .
God Loves You…
Gerlinda m says
Wow this really help me out in so many ways grace in of God I am 70 years old and it took me this long realize what’s important in my life today it’s going on 31 years since my husband passed away was feeling down until I ran across these sayings thankyou for this ya touch my heart feel better and knowing we all are broken people in this crazy world blessing to all God is with us love always gerlinda
Yasmin bremnor says
This is Yasmin in Jamaica. I loved this article. It met me right where I am & confirmed some of what I know I should do & opened me up to what I didn’t think of. It actually made me cry. And for a person who loves writing & words, that’s saying a lot. Keep writing Marc & company.. its sure to help someone.
Joy says
In my life I like to move forward and not dwell on the past. I know what I’ve learned from the past and find it less important. to hash it over and over with anyone. It takes up my plans for a better, improved, and new future. In fact, my aim is to have a more productive day that leads me to a greater goal. I’m no fool; I’m 76 with heart and immune issues. I treat myself as though I don’t have these health blocks, or I’d roll up in a ball of depression and not live a fruitful life. I feel in my bones that I’m going to once again achieve something great once more. I’m not quite sure if it’s going to be related to my previous profession or something that is totally opposite and would take me into extensive study. And, as I said before ,I’m no fool as it relates to my human body. Everyday ,I’m thinking and practicing my new potenial passion. Thanks for bringing it up in your wrting, I just finished my baking of koulourakia and my house smells like heaven.
Peter Golding says
Thumbs up in the essay. I look forward to seeing more.
Debora M. says
This post was absolutely awesome and just what I needed to read! Thank you so much for your insight, kindness, wonderful spirit and knowledge. Every point of view gave me something positive and enlightening to think about and embrace. It was such a beautiful blessing to read. Thank you both so much! God bless!!!!
Stefan says
This is incredible! I’ve been going through a rough time lately, and I’d usually just brush off these kinds of essays, but this time I stumbled upon this blog, started reading the essay and I was blown away by the writing style as well as by the natural sentence flow. But besides that, the “forgive yourself” part was the one that struck a cord and resonated deep within me, and then every new paragraph was like a conversation I’ve never had with anyone but wished I had…
Thank you!
Ann says
Oh my God, this article was mentioned for me, it made me cry because I could see myself in each phase. I am terminally sick with cancer called multiple myeloma and some days I feel so happy and full of sunshine I don’t know what to do with the energy so after reading your stories I feel I can go in a great direction. Sorry for rambling but my happiness is over flowing.
Thank you
Ann
Kim says
Thank you so much for these reminders! I managed to learn cutting out fluff or inconsequential people in your life makes big happiness. Important to rid your life of negatives a little at a time to make room for positive things to grow. Thank you for sharing and imparting such meaningful wisdom!
Kavir says
Hey guys, I just wanted to say that you both are doing a great job at what you are doing and Keep it up!All of the points above deeply resonate with me as a perfectionist who’s trying to prove to himself that imperfect is better in some situations, but perfect can also help to strengthen quality.As a master procrastinator(which I often call myself lol),I am hoping that this upcoming year when I start uni I would have gained a bit or a lot, optimistically, of self discipline. Articles like these help me discover I’m on the right track and I always tell myself that it’s easier to scroll on social media than to “fix” myself(just realized I’m human and not perfect so I’ll correct that to “grow” lol).
With Love,
Kavir Ramjass
Mikey'D' says
Thanks for the wisdom and encouragement to go forward…no matter what. Life is messy at times, so, do “your” best to move forward…That’s all any of us can do!
Yousuff says
More practical n more closer to reality
Felt very clear of Today n importance of optimism. Thank you.
Emma says
It’s a heartwarming, deep and nourishing post that I hope will stick with me for the rest of my life. I don’t think many people have the depth or wisdom to truly understand writing like this. This was extremely comforting to read. Much appreciation for the writers.
Carol Ardrey says
Fabulous read!!!
Well done!
Paul Rockswold (Laurie's husband) says
My wife just read this article aloud to me this morning. I resonated with every word she spoke. Several things stuck in mind. The first is to live is to be human. So often I feel that my past mistakes still define me in other people’s eyes. I struggled myself with acceptance for these things, and have (for the most part) forgiven myself for them. It’s when others won’t let them go or put me in a box reminding me of them often. I want to read this article to my couples therapist for several different reasons. This article was a blessing to me and to my heart. I am thankful to my wife for seeing my life, especially my past from your perspective.
ROSEY D says
WELL WRITTEN, IT INSPIRES COURAGE AND GOOD WILL.
May Lois says
this article has been helpful and at the same time educative to me
it’s at the time when am having crisis in my life.
these are the exact things I had to read and insist them so deep to be able to understand that it’s okay to make mistakes and I should always choose forgiving yourself over and over again
Nicolás says
Thank you so much and a Happy New Year to you!
suggestion: put this “leave a reply ” box before the replies, so people won’t get discouraged scrolling down through the replies and not finding it right away.
Thanks again 🙂
Anastasia Marie Preston says
I am TRULY thankful for this article that supports my forward movement of continuing my writing and publication of books.
My goal initially: To Fill a Bookshelf with MY books! I will & can do it!
Thank you for supporting what I have been going through thoughtfully. Every word supports my current, past, & future endeavors!
Stay blessed!
-Ana
Melissa Meyer says
I am so thrilled that I came across your “essay”. It is VERY WELL written and I can relate to all 7 points in this article!! So it really touched my heart and it is definitely things I needed to “hear”. For starters I am usually so UNKIND to MYSELF and I need to change that first and foremost! Maybe some people believe that how you talk to yourself doesn’t matter but I’m here to tell you it certainly does. And BOUNDARIES…What are those?? I fiercely need to set some boundaries with a lot of people in my life and stick to them!! I love this article and I’m saving so I can reference back to occasionally or more!! I feel like you wrote this “essay” directly to ME!! Lol that’s HOW MUCH I really feel every word in it VERY HARD! Keep Up the GREAT WORK and MUCH NEEDED Inspiration and Direction (at least for me anyway). Thank You & God Bless!!
Srushti says
Hey this is srushti.
I don’t know much about others and their thoughts, but I would say one thing that I felt. That this blog was actually amazing. Like seriously.
You wouldn’t believe me when I say this blog popped up at just the correct time. I had so many thoughts, so many things going on in my brain. So much that everything was getting jumbled up. No productivity at all. And that mention of tomorrows instead of todays. Well that’s me.
And this blog actually told me exactly what was needed.
I won’t say much but thanks to you Marc and you, my today will definitely be productive.
Thanks.
Srushti says
Hey this is srushti.
I don’t know much about others and their thoughts, but I would say one thing that I felt. That this blog was actually amazing. Like seriously.
You wouldn’t believe me when I say this blog popped up at just the correct time. I had so many thoughts, so many things going on in my brain. So much that everything was getting jumbled up. No productivity at all. And that mention of tomorrows instead of todays. Well that’s me. ?
And this blog actually told me exactly what was needed.
I won’t say much but thanks to you Marc and you, my today will definitely be productive.
Thanks ?