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Habits for a Lifetime

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” Aristotle

Here are some habits I’ve done my best to cultivate and follow as the years have passed.

  1. Live by and follow the Golden Rule in every interaction.
  2. Don’t watch television. Well, except for perhaps a half-hour of the Daily Show on Hulu now and then : -).
  3. Have a positive mental attitude. Know that you control your thoughts and how you react to things and that you control whether you are happy or not.
  4. Live with mindfulness, happiness, and appreciation of the beauty of life
  5. Be an optimist. See the glass as always completely full. It’s always part water and part air.
  6. Have fun in everything you do. Never take yourself too seriously.
  7. Eat healthily and find a way to engage in a competitive game of tennis, racquetball, or volleyball once per week week.
  8. Surround yourself and spend time with amazing people.
  9. Listen more, ask questions and listen, speak with fewer words. Be more succinct when needed. Talk with passion when needed
  10. Don’t worry much about material possessions. The best things in life are free. Focus on experiences and memories with people, education, and owning stock in assets and companies that provide cash flow.
  11. Invest in building authentic relationships with amazing people.
  12. Use music, breathing, and stillness to sooth the soul.
  13. Walk around with an authentic smile on your face
  14. Travel to at least three new countries every year.
  15. Read the NY Times weekly.
  16. Don’t smoke and don’t over-drink.
  17. Invest in sharpening the saw. Take a week long vacation after every 80 days of work. Take the time you need to get the big decisions right.
  18. Take time to be creative and do improv, freestyle, lyrics writing, poetry, dancing, karaoke
  19. Keep a journal 3-4 times per week.
  20. Make commitments carefully and fulfill them every time.
  21. Re-read summaries of How to Win Friends and Influence People, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and Think and Grow Rich often.
  22. Keep a to do before I die list and whenever possible see how you can make it happen.

Here are my recommended books on personal development:

  1. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
  2. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
  3. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey
  4. A Philosopher’s Notes by Brian Johnson
  5. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki