Today, let’s talk about how to make each day of our lives more engaging, fulfilling, and of course, happier. I’ll share 5 simple yet effective habits that might just spark some inspiration for you.
What Can Be Streamlined?
The foundation of making every day more meaningful and lively is minimizing the “unnecessary trivial tasks.” Every day, we’re bombarded with countless small decisions: What to wear to work? What’s for lunch? What to do during the commute? How to organize our files? How to jot down new information? How to wrap up our daily report?
These tasks, while essential for daily life, don’t necessarily add value to our day. When they consume all our energy and time, we’re left drained, missing out on exploring other possibilities in life. Hence, the primary goal should be: How can we automate these tasks and reduce their cognitive load?
Our brain processes tasks in two ways. Controlled processing, which requires conscious effort, coordination, and control; and automatic processing, which can be done without much conscious thought. For instance, discussing something important with a colleague might make you wonder, “Where should I jot this down so I can find it later?” – This is controlled processing. But if you have a set system for managing to-do lists and reminders, you can handle it effortlessly without overthinking.
Ever wondered how some people manage multiple tasks seamlessly? It’s not because they’re super-intelligent. They’ve managed to bundle numerous routine tasks into systematic processes, freeing up mental space for other activities.
So, my first suggestion for you is:
If a task reoccurs more than twice, consider creating a process to make it “run automatically.”
For instance:
- Plan your week’s outfits in advance, so you don’t ponder over “what to wear” daily.
- List down problems to solve and think about them during spare moments instead of wondering, “how to kill time?”
- Segment your bookshelf into categories like “currently reading,” “frequently read,” and “to-be-read” to simplify the search.
- I even keep a whiteboard at home. Why? Whenever inspiration strikes or I get a new idea, I jot it down or sketch it out, skipping the hassle of finding paper or opening an app.
Don’t underestimate these details. The more tasks you automate, the more cognitive freedom you’ll enjoy.
Here are a few tips to aid your thinking:
- What’s the primary goal of this task? Which steps are crucial, and which aren’t?
- Can I group similar tasks and solidify consistent actions, focusing only on variables?
- For these variables, can I set some simple rules to simplify them?
For example, if I’m budgeting, is it necessary to record every expense, or can I just monitor the significant deviations from my average monthly spend?
When faced with repetitive tasks, either at work or in personal life, think: How can I execute this more efficiently?
Break free from the tiresome cycle of redundancy. Compress the “must-dos” to free up mental space for what you “want to do.”
What does it mean to me?
Humans crave meaning in their lives.
How do we measure the span of time? Often, it’s not by objective events, but by the experiences and feelings these events evoke within our minds. Similarly, what fulfills us isn’t necessarily “what we’ve done,” but the significance of these actions to us.
Here’s my second piece of advice:
Regularly reflect on the information you’ve gathered and the actions you’ve taken, distilling their value and meaning. For instance, I keep a daily journal. Instead of jotting down every minute detail, I extract the most memorable and valuable takeaways of the day. These could be new learnings, new friendships, fresh ideas for a project, and so on. Additionally, I sift through my entries monthly and annually to pinpoint monthly highlights and yearly milestones. This allows me to track the progress of my projects, the ideas I’ve brought to fruition, the new knowledge I’ve internalized, and see how I’ve evolved over time. Remember, raw information is lifeless. Only by deriving experiences, emotions, and values from it can it become an integral part of your unique self.
When I read books or articles, I don’t merely save good chapters or points. Instead, I ponder: “What can I gain from this? What are the shining insights worth delving deeper into?” Once I’ve accumulated a decent amount of notes, I cluster them to see how different knowledge pieces might spark off each other, how they can be integrated, or if they belong to a broader system. This process of refining information and deriving meaning is crucial.
So, I always say: Don’t just passively consume when you read; otherwise, you’re just mirroring someone else’s thoughts. Instead, question, “What can I extract from this?” Look for insights that resonate with you. These are your genuine takeaways.
In life, if you find yourself mired in mundane tasks, don’t wallow in self-pity. Shift your perspective and ask: “What meaning can I assign to this?” “What value can it bring to me?” Maybe it allows you to meet new people, hone a particular skill, understand a system’s workings, and more. Can it benefit others or make even the slightest positive change in the world? Linking your daily experiences with a broader sense of self or the world at large provides a source of meaning and is a key to fulfillment.
In the first point, we touched upon breaking the cycle of exhausting daily routines. When you’ve freed up cognitive space and energy, what should you channel it into? You could spend it on leisure, entertainment, or family time. Still, I’d suggest: Act on your inspirations and ideas, bringing them to fruition. This leads to my third advice:
Engage in long-term endeavors.
Throughout life, you might have fleeting thoughts like:
“This skill looks intriguing. Should I learn it?”
“I could present this better than that person.”
“This method is way more efficient; I wish I could share it.”
Why not act on these during your free moments?
For instance, in my “project notes,” I’ve penned down numerous ideas – hosting a talk show, introducing detective stories to a wider audience, launching a platform for industry insiders, creating a community around interests, etc. When I encounter relevant info, I link it to these ideas, enriching my notes. Some ideas then take shape, leading me to either assemble a team, entrust someone trustworthy, or dabble in it myself. This is how some of my past projects and ventures came about.
So, I’d advise you to consolidate your spontaneous ideas. Jot down the valuable and feasible ones, and periodically review and push them forward. Seeing these ideas evolve can be incredibly gratifying. It’s a great way to combat stress and see personal growth. The point is to do something that sets apart today, this month, or this year from your past.
Diversification is a key theme I often stress in my writings: diversifying interests, goals, and careers. It’s a way to explore the world and bolster your resilience, making you better equipped to handle setbacks.
Turn life into an adventure, continuously pushing yourself closer to your goals. This is the antidote to a mundane existence.
How Can We Increase the Chances of Good Things Happening to Us?
In his book, Taleb discussed a concept called the “Barbell Strategy.” What does it mean? It describes an approach to situations with two extreme strategies: mostly pursuing extreme stability and a small portion seeking extreme returns.
For instance, when investing, the majority of your assets would be allocated to zero-risk and low-risk investments, aiming for preservation and steady growth. A minor portion would be invested in high-risk opportunities, aiming for outsized returns. This is a basic representation of the Barbell Strategy.
The same concept applies to life. Our control over life often stems from consistency, daily routines, and repetition. Yet, the joys of life often come from the unknown, surprises, and uncertainties. By wisely combining these aspects, we can achieve a dynamic balance in our lives between monotony and chaos.
Many face a common dilemma: either they become overly committed to stability, living repetitive days, losing passion, and missing out on opportunities; or they are always experimenting and exploring, lacking direction, and wasting time on fleeting interests.
So, what’s a better approach? On one hand, maintain a “necessary degree of stability” with a stable career, regular sleep patterns, and daily rituals. On the other, dive into broader “pools” to enhance the likelihood of good things happening to you.
Put simply: to win a prize, you need to be in the draw.
For example, a young colleague introduced me to a supplier they met while playing a board game. The collaboration was delightful. In another instance, a friend overcame a project bottleneck by consistently sharing his industry insights on Zhihu (a Chinese Q&A platform). He received many private messages and found a valuable partner through that.
Sticking to the status quo and daily routines makes it hard for opportunities to find you. They won’t just fall from the sky nor walk up to you. I’ve experienced this myself. Though I’m an introvert, I once forced myself out of my comfort zone, meeting diverse people from various sectors to understand their ways of working. Why? Not just for networking, but to broaden my horizons and shift my thinking from familiar paths.
Constantly doing familiar things limits you. By diving into broader pools, you open up to a wider world of possibilities. In our diverse world, it’s worth trying to wear “multiple hats,” connect with different communities, and let your voice be heard.
Think of it as planting seeds, waiting to see which one blossoms.
What Do I Truly Possess?
I often say: The measure of a truly outstanding person is not what they currently have, but what they can “earn” or achieve. What do I mean by this? An exemplary individual, even when stripped of everything and placed in an unfamiliar environment, can still work hard and regain what was taken from them. This resilience and capability reflect a person’s true worth.
However, a common mistake many make is mistaking the power and opportunities of a platform, era, or chance as solely their own capabilities and achievements. In psychology, there’s a concept of “internal resources” versus “external resources.” External resources refer to your wealth, position, power, possessions, and any tangible aspects that shape one’s self-worth. Internal resources, on the other hand, relate to one’s skills, character, inherent talents, charm, and knowledge. These are attributes genuinely unique to you, which no one can take away, and they empower and foster your growth.
Reflect on this: Do you derive your self-worth from external or internal resources? Do people follow your lead because of your position, or do they genuinely respect and admire you? Is their respect rooted in the resources you hold or in your capabilities and influence? Do others collaborate with you because they seek benefits or because they genuinely consider you a friend?
By shifting focus from external to internal resources, you cultivate a more accurate and balanced self-assessment. This prevents overestimating one’s self-efficacy, fostering a stable and healthy perspective on oneself and one’s relationship with the world.
Moreover, if you consistently focus on nurturing your “internal resources,” life’s pressures become challenges, merely adding to your “experience points.” The external world is always changing, resources can be contested, successes may be overshadowed, and what you’ve built can face risks. But so what? What doesn’t defeat you only makes you stronger.
Facing growth, there’s no true failure. Everything just contributes to making “you” better.
In summary
- Process: Minimize unnecessary trivialities.
- Extract: Derive meaning from life’s events.
- Agenda: Plan and promote long-term objectives.
- Chance: Enhance the likelihood of good things happening.
- Ego: Focus on internal resources and personal growth.
Together, they spell out “PEACE.”
My wish for you is this: In the coming year, rediscover inner peace, stability, and tranquility. Each individual’s life is a balancing act between desires and capabilities. The best life is one where desires and abilities are in harmony. Here’s hoping we both achieve what we seek and let go of what we willingly choose to.
Wishing you peace and growth!
