Small thoughts for a better life

These ideas come with no guarantees and to be honest notebooks are optional

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I am not a guru or expert on living anyone’s best life (including my own). I like reading through lists of ways to improve your life because I find some of them interesting (some of those ideas have found their way into my commonplace books) but they are never a guarantee for success. Many of these lists are recycled good advice from the ages and some ideas are truly bizarre (why would I care about putting butter in my coffee when I don’t even drink coffee, etc.)

However, recently I listed some things that made sense to me and shared them in Substack Notes. These items reflect my own thoughts and beliefs but I think they are useful to most people. I call them small thoughts because none of them are particularly revolutionary and they won’t help you take over the world. But they might make your days a bit better.

I’ve taken the list and I’ve added more description to each item.

Please note: if one of these small ideas directly contradicts something that makes your life better then use your personal experience as your guide.

Drink enough water. More than you think you need.

Water is life. Water permits life. Water does a lot for us. We are mostly water anyway.

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I’ve read recommendations that each of us needs 8 glasses of water (close to 2 L of water) to stay healthy - maybe more. Many of us fall short of proper hydration even though we drink plenty of liquids each day.

I’m particularly bullish about staying hydrated as it’s one way to help prevent the formation of kidney stones and to help flush the tiny ones out of your body.

It’s very hard to go wrong with drinking more water.

Help at least one person per day.

Helping another person is good for them and it’s good for you. Taking advantage of opportunities to be a good person is a good thing. Helping other people can be incredibly satisfying and rewarding.

Be sincere.

Sincerity is wonderful. Saying what you mean and, more importantly, meaning what you say is a gift to other people you encounter.

free from pretense or deceit; proceeding from genuine feelings.

Platitudes, bullshit, lies and so on pollute our culture and our lives. People will say things because they are expected to say them and they want to get certain types of reactions from you.

If you are going to thank someone, mean it and show that person that you mean it. It’s that simple.

Challenge a current belief - things change. Or they don’t, in which case you’re good.

Maybe something happened to you years ago that effects how you view the world and you’ve taken it for granted since then. Maybe you think someone hates you. Maybe you think you made a terrible mistake. Or maybe you have misjudged someone else.

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Maybe you are getting hints that your belief is incorrect and is holding you back. If that’s so, it seems like a smart thing to double check and ensure that you know the truth of the situation. Worst case: you correctly reinforce your belief. Best case: the alteration of a belief that improves your life, even in a small way.

Learn something interesting outside of your career interests or day to day life.

I’ve spent months, even years of my life, intensely focused on my career while other areas of my life suffer. I neglect my hobbies and other healthy pursuits during these periods and lose work-life balance (such as I maintain it, anyway). For short periods of time you do have to reprioritize and focus your attention and actions very narrowly. But if you do it for too long you lose touch with the important things that make life work living.

How About This is one of the ways that I cast my eyes outward and look beyond my day to day. It’s hard to directly correlate the topics I write about here to my professional life (and that’s by design, by the way). Writing a weekly newsletter keeps me focused on learning, thinking and communicating. It gives purpose to what I read and think beyond maintaining a personal life and career.

Some people say “get a life”. I say, get an interest. Get a hobby. That’s a small way to get a better life.

Give someone the benefit of the doubt, but with care.

We don’t know what really going on in each other’s heads. People can react harshly or without thinking when they are under stress. The next time you receive the brunt of someone’s blast (or the silence of their indifference), consider whether or not they realize what they are doing and try not to react, especially in a way that may make the situation worse. You may just earn their gratitude and respect.

Let go of something that is hurting you.

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I realize that this one is easier said than done in many cases but letting go of an injury, a slight, a grudge or a mistake can be very beneficial for you. Sometimes you can only choose how to react to what someone else has done. Many times the thing that hurts you is your perception and your reaction to the event. Try to let go of an old worry and see if it makes a difference for you, even a small one.

Carve out time for yourself every day, even if it’s just 15 minutes for a hot beverage.

Or make it a cool beverage. Just do something for you, even if it’s just for a short period of time.

Enjoy the wind in your hair (or blowing against your skin).

Photo by Fernando Brasil on Unsplash

During the past couple of years I’ve encountered the phrase “touch grass” in situations where we need a break and a chance to reconnect with the physical world. This small thought is the same kind of thing. Nature tantalizes the senses. For me, the feel of a breeze on my face is extremely relaxing and a powerful reminder of the world that exists beyond our heads. A nice breeze is like an intangible massage for your soul.

Over to you, H.A.T.T.E.R.s! Any other small thoughts that you’d like to share?