4 Simple Rules for a Better YOU

My daughter has been telling me about Reddit forever (apparently, it’s a young people’s “thing” now).
Usually, I am reluctant to spend time on it as I know how easy it is for me to get sucked into reading what people write. I’m already a borderline internet addict, so adding something else to my mix of “internet drugs” is dangerous.

But the link she sent me this morning really stopped me in my tracks and inspired to have a “non-zero day,” as this guy, Ryan suggested as he was commenting on somebody else’s rant.

Ryan wrote something which I thought was brilliant.
Here’s a short overview of his “4 Rules.” (You can read the full and original version here, it really is worth it!):

1. No More Zero days.

Zero-Day is when we waste the whole day doing nothing. Do something that advances you in the direction of your dream life and makes you a better version of you EVERY SINGLE DAY. Even if it’s something as small as one sit-up, or one written sentence, or reading one page in a book. Or even getting out of the bed in the morning. Brushing your teeth, or washing that dirty cup.

Even when you’re so depressed and unmotivated that every chore seems unsurmountable, we all can do that “one little thing.”

2. Three You’s

There are 3 versions of “you” – the past self (your yesterday, younger self), your present self (the one who takes action – like reading this – right now), and your future self.

Be grateful to your past self: “You did it, look at all that you’ve achieved, great, thank you!”
Be a little more assertive with your present self: “You CAN do it, just this one little thing, get off your butt.”
Do a favor to your future self as if for a friend: “I am doing it for you, bro.”

I like to say that by our actions TODAY we are building a different future while healing our past.

3. Forgive Yourself

I can’t tell you how many people treat themselves like crap. They are their worst critics and put themselves down constantly. There is an incessant barrage of negativity going on in their heads.

Stop that! Learn to be more loving, more caring towards yourself.
Forgive yourself for all the past failures, mistakes and “sins.”
Didn’t have a “non-zero day” yesterday? “I forgive you, my younger self.”

“Today is a non-zero masterpiece to the best of my ability for future self.”

4. Exercise and Read Books

Of course, I don’t have to explain the benefit of exercise, I think everybody knows it by now.
Books are little bit different. Not everyone likes to read and I think they deprive themselves of the huge collective wisdom accumulated over the centuries.

I can honestly say that books have been both my saviors and my helpers all through my life.
There is so much information available out there. There’s a solution for every problem. Use this wealth of knowledge to your advantage.

Read and PRACTICE what you read and your life will change forever.

We are what we think. And we think what we program in our brains. So, choose wisely what you are feeding your brain with.

I have a list of some of my favorite books here.

And this is a very short version of what was in original post. (for those of you like me who are afraid to get stuck reading 1000’s of comments for hours.) 😊