Rated “E” for some Explicit Language.
We’re almost month into 2017 and it is very likely that by now, half our New Year’s Resolutions have already been “postponed” till next year. I personally don’t care much for resolutions, especially, the New Year’s type since I hate to wait until the New Year to do something that I really want to start today.
But here’s a list that I started to work on last year, that I also plan to continue implementing and practicing in 2017. As you can see, it is a “Not to Do” list, so the best way to implement it is to stop doing some of the things you’re currently doing. Easy enough, right? Here it is!
Do not over-react to trivial or even some serious situations. In the heat of the moment is not the right time to put your finger where it hurts. Calm down, regroup and you will realize that things look completely different a couple of hours later. You will never make a bad decision when you take a bit more time to think about it.
Do not put yourself under pressure. Today’s media is constantly bombarding us with concepts like “100 Things to Do Before You Die” or “Must Add Items to Your Bucket List” or “Top 10 Vacation Destinations You Can’t Miss”, etc. A few years ago, I decided to replace my Bucket List with my own “F*ck it” List. In other words, things that I used to care for or that used to irritate me that I don’t give a (insert list name here) for any more. Now, let me tell you, that’s a much more gratifying list and I don’t even need to climb Mount Everest to check things off the list!
Do not try to be perfect. Perfection does not exist. Trying to be perfect about everything or for everybody is a sure way to end your days very frustrated. Understand that not being perfect is the perfect way to be. Be the best you can be, just don’t try to be perfect.
Do not look back. Looking back is a monumental waste of time. You drive your car every day and -hopefully- you spend most of the time looking to what’s ahead of you through the large windshield. Taking a quick glance are your rear view mirrors is fine, but if you spend too much time looking back you’ll crash. Yesterday is history. Make today count.
Do not complain. We’ve all become a bunch of complainers. As Larry Page said, “Being negative is not how we make progress.” If you don’t provide a solution to a problem, you automatically become part of the problem. Instead of whining and complaining about little things that bother you, why don’t you spend the same time coming up with a viable solution that will make things better not just for you but for everyone else.
Do not complicate your life. Eliminate all dead weight and annoyances that consume your thoughts and time. Identify those situations, people or things that cause most of your anxiety. When you do that, you’ll discover that 20% of the people cause 80% of your aggravation. Now you know what you have to do or not to do.
Do not multitask. That buzz word that you find on all resumes! There’s no such thing as “multitasking.” Your brain can only focus on one thing at a time. What we call multitasking is actually “task-switching.” Studies show that it could take up to 15 minutes to get back the focus you were at before you were interrupted with another task. Research also shows that aside from slowing you down, multitasking also lowers your IQ. So there you go! Now you can take this “M” word out of your resume.
I hope you enjoyed my quick list. It’s helped me quite a bit. Until next time, this is Manuel Gil del Real (MGR)
