Issue No. 28

1. Cut off people. Abandon people when they show no improvement, when their dreams stagnate, and when their conversations lack depth. You are defined by your associations. If you're spending time with people merely for fun and banter, they are not friends; they are companions.

2. Live below your means. If your salary is 100k, don't adopt a 100k lifestyle; choose a 50k one. This approach provides peace of mind, enabling you to handle unexpected life events that might otherwise wipe out your resources. Many people accrue debts despite high earnings because they assume their salaries will last forever.

3. Be a person of action, not just words. While words have meaning, dreams, and aspirations must first materialize into actions before being spoken. Do it first, then share your achievements. Succeed quietly; this way, failure isn't embarrassing.

4. Quantify your life. Relationships are constantly evolving and need no quantification. However, everything else in your life involving numbers—such as income, expenses, savings, investments, hobbies, workout routines, food consumption, and even procrastination—should be quantified. Create a list and track these aspects to gain control. This doesn't mean being a control freak; it means having an estimate of your progress.

5. Plan for the next 5-10 years. A person without a plan is like a ship without a sail, drifting aimlessly. Life is finite, and each decade offers ample time to achieve milestones. With specific goals, you can aim high; even if you fail, you'll land on higher ground.

6. Let others speak more than you. People's feelings about you are shaped more by what they experience than by what you say. People enjoy discussing themselves, so let them share their thoughts. When you allow them to express themselves, they associate positive feelings with you, making them like and prefer your company. This effect intensifies if you engage them in conversations about their passions.

7. Practice detachment from everything. Detachment means not relying on something's existence to move forward. Avoid attachment to lovers, jobs, possessions, and even problems, among other things, as they can be lost at any time. Cherish these moments without letting attachment overpower your will to live. Attachment weakens your resolve, like a tape losing its stickiness over time when repeatedly attached and detached. Eventually, it becomes entirely useless.

8. Be strict with other people and with yourself. If others don't mean what they say, leave them behind. If you don't mean what you say, leave your previous self and create a new one. Don't tolerate disrespect and be discerning about whom you spend your energy on.

9. Speak and act with conviction. When given the opportunity to speak or take action, don't hesitate. Think first, then execute without reservation. Being neutral leads nowhere. Avoid words like “maybe” or "try”. Instead of saying, “I will try to work out,” say, “I will work out.” The subtle shift in conviction disciplines the mind. Have an opinion, as it reflects a thinking mind. Act with genuine intent, reflecting a confident personality.

10. Take care of yourself. Trim unnecessary facial hair, get a clean haircut, invest in a quality perfume, use minimal but high-quality products, establish a skincare routine, exercise four days a week, read a book weekly or biweekly, consume nourishing food, reward yourself after accomplishing tasks, travel once or twice a month, sleep 7-8 hours daily, invest in a comfortable pillow and mattress, and take pride in your achievements. By doing these things, you'll discover that life is full of beautiful experiences.

11. Do what your future self demands of you now. Imagine your future self instructing you on what you should do at this moment to flourish in the future. Want to learn the piano? Do it now. Want to travel? As long as you have the money for it, do it now. Want to change your life? Do it now. Don't procrastinate on things that matter. Most of the advice boils down to one thing: "Do it now." Yesterday was the time you should have started, so today is a necessity.

12. Make difficult choices. One of the best quotes I have ever heard in my life is,

People romanticize their plans but dread the execution. Life is tough for a reason—to build strength for the coming storm. If life only consists of easy choices, values won’t exist. There is no value in an easy life because it’s not rare. Those who pursue the unexplored push their boundaries. Life begins when you are out of your comfort zone. What you avoid is usually a door waiting to be opened. It may or may not be amazing or full of wonders all the time, but it surely leads you somewhere else.