Getting the Most Out of Life: 22 Timeless Tips

What is it you desire? To get the most out of life? Keep on reading.

There is no right or wrong answer.

Maybe you aspire to do satisfying work that will allow you to add value to the world.

Maybe you’re looking for a fulfilling relationship that brings you joy.

Maybe you want to become fit and healthy so you can be a positive example that your children can look up to.

Maybe you’re ready to eliminate the personal stress that is limiting your potential.

Regardless there is something that is missing from your life and you’re looking to getting the most out of life – figure out how to do it and achieve it. Well here is how.

What Does Getting the Most Out of Life Mean?

The scenario above is something that so many people live every day in. You have more than what you could imagine you’ve had before.

However, you’re not feeling all that happier.

Instinctively, we think the problem could be fixed if there was more of that one thing in our lives. More of what? Whatever.

More money. More things. Better relationships. More food. Simply, more.

You can’t pinpoint what it is exactly but you do know that you just want more of something in your life at this point.

All of this isn’t so much of greed running its course in your mind. Nor is it you not showing appreciation for what you have. Rather, it’s another example of our instincts being off.

Boiling it down leads to one thing:

People struggle to figure out how to get the most out of life.

What getting the most out of life means is being able to be happy and satisfied. It’s having enough in your life that makes you happy.

22 Tips To Make The Most Out Of Life

Getting the most out of life involves knowing what you would like to get from it in the first place. There are tips below that can help you with this.

1. Creativity Trumps Book-Smarts Every Time

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” – Albert Einstein

The greatest minds are not filled with facts, but creativity. The ease of access in the information age has eliminated the need for people to fill their brains with facts. Those who innovate will rise above those who regurgitate.

2. Avoid Measuring Only One Aspect of Your Life

We all know that a better life can involve more of one thing.

However, the flaw with it is that one thing only brings a short period of happiness. Instead, it’s smarter to measure multiple aspects of your life and build up those areas. Here are the aspects you should be really focusing on.

3. The Rules are Meant to Be Broken

“If you obey all the rules you miss all the fun.” – Katharine Hepburn

Why should you follow a list of rules without questioning their validity? You shouldn’t.

Policies and procedures do have their place in large organizations in various situations sure.

But you should make a habit of questioning everything.

Rules are meant to be broken. How else do you think progress happens?

4. Don’t Put Good Life on Hold

People get in their mind that they’ll work a job they hate, make a bunch of money and only then will they work on being happy. While it does delay gratification – which can help in certain situations – it takes those examples to the extreme. It creates a false hope that change is around the corner when in reality you’re running in circles.

It’s smarter to work on multiple areas of your life in small increments and make the most you can right now.

5. You Are “Inferior” to No Other Person

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

That person you feel inferior to? Get it out of your head.

They are not luckier than you.

Their brain is not more powerful than yours.

They were not blessed with a skill set that you couldn’t develop.

Do you really think successful people got where they are today by sheer luck? Do you think they achieved their ambitious goals overnight without setbacks along the way?

Consider the following people:

Michael Jordan was cut from his high-school basketball team because he “wasn’t good enough.”

The Beatles were rejected from a studio label because they had “no future in show business.”

Charlie Chaplin was rejected by Hollywood studios because he was “too nonsensical to ever sell.”

J.K. Rowling, the author of the world-famous Harry Potter series, encountered rejection after rejection for a full year before a publisher finally agreed to accept her work.

The difference between winners and losers is simple. Winners are spending time moving forward no matter what trials they face while losers give up at the drop of a hat. You don’t lose until you quit, so don’t quit.

6. Slow Down and Bask in the Pleasure of Living

“There is more to life than increasing its speed.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Why are you in such a hurry all the time? The world will not end if you have to stand in line at the grocery store.

Driving like a maniac to save two minutes does not make any sense.

Tugging your dog on its leash and fussing at it to “hurry up!” is inconsiderate since it spends so much of its day indoors.

Exercising your patience muscles will ensure you have a good time in everything. Taking your time will give you a much-needed break from the constant hustle of the daily grind.

Breathe deeply, quiet your inner-chatter, and take a moment to simply be. One study even found that using your sheer imagination can help you be more patient too! ^[1]

7. Upset By Wrongdoing – Do Something About It!

“Now, we must all fear evil men. But there is another kind of evil which we must fear most, and that is the indifference of good men.”- The Boondock Saints

Complaining about the world’s ills on Facebook and Twitter does nothing to bring about positive change. If you are truly upset by what you see as evil or wrong, do something about it:

Join a movement or protest that you are passionate about.

Write blogs or create videos that will mobilize people to your cause.

Call your congressman and tell him how you feel about upcoming votes.

If you’re not willing to take a stand, you have no right to complain.

8. Regret Nothing (and Do All the Things)

“I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done.” – Lucille Ball

Talking to a stranger you’re physically attracted to isn’t an easy thing to do. Writing a book or blog about that idea you can’t get out of your head requires hard work and dedication. Quitting your job to start a business you’re passionate about does carry a risk.

Neglecting to do these things carries the temporary benefit of comfort, but failing to act on your impulses could result in permanent regret. If you want to make a high impact in your life, act on those impulses and make gradual changes.

9. Less Thinking, More Doing

“Take time to deliberate, but when the time for action has arrived, stop thinking and go in.” – Napoleon Bonaparte

Educate yourself and consider your options before you make any decision, but don’t become stuck in an eternal state of limbo.

The more you agonize over a decision, the more paralyzed you will become. Gather the most relevant information you need to proceed and get to work.

10. You Are Not Alone

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” – Michael Jordan

I have no doubt that you are a brilliant individual who is capable of accomplishing plenty, but your odds for success will be much greater if you harness the power of teamwork.

No one has all of the answers and anyone who thinks otherwise is cocky at best and delusional at worst.

To remind yourself you’re not alone try the following:

Seek a mentor who can provide you with guidance and direction.

Make a friend on a level playing field so you can bounce ideas back and forth.

Offer your support to a newcomer who you can be a mentor, growing confidence in your abilities.

It is easy to stagnate when you are alone, so surround yourself with people who will help you develop. Or consider having a pet.

11. View Yourself From the Eyes of Another

“Sometimes you can’t see yourself clearly until you see yourself through the eyes of others.” – Ellen DeGeneres

Any time there is tension between you and another person, take a moment to look at the issue from their perspective.

This simple action will offer a fresh perspective that will help you avoid pointless arguments over nothing.

12. Be Grateful for What is Right in Front of You

“Life moves pretty fast. You don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller

When is the last time you expressed gratitude for all of your blessings?

It is easy to take things for granted when we don’t pay attention.

The next time you are feeling down, grab a notebook or pull up a Word Document and make a list of the many things that you are grateful for.

You might not realize it right this second, but I bet you have a lot to be happy about.

13. Stay True to Your Authentic Self

“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.” – William Shakespeare

Your daily life is not a theatrical performance, so stop treating it like one.

You wear all these masks depending on your current surroundings and it has to be so very exhausting.

Why do you feel like you have to put on such a charade? You are amazing as you are and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Share your unique thoughts, ideas, quirks, and personality traits with the world without an ounce of shame.

14. No One Cares How Much “Stuff” You Have

“We spend money that we do not have, on things we do not need, to impress people who do not care.” – Will Smith

No one is impressed by your bank account, wardrobe, or elegant choice of home decor.

Sure, you might get some “oohs” and “ahhs” the instant you show off your stuff, but do you think these people are so impressed that they think any better of you for it?

Live with truth and integrity.

Show the world you care through your words, actions, and behaviors. The size of your bank account and the style of your outfit impress no one. Do you know what is impressive? Your strength of character and reinforce it with some solid life skills.

15. Don’t Merely Expect More From Life – Demand More

“You can’t move mountains by whispering at them.” – Pink

While you are complaining about how unfair your situation is, other people are hustling hard in the direction of the better life they desire.

Wishing with all of your might will do nothing to improve your life if you’re not willing to back up your words with monumental action. The same goes for starting a pity party. You’re better than this.

16. The Things That Are Most Challenging Are Often The Most Rewarding

“Being a mom has made me so tired. And so happy.” – Tina Fey

Just because something is difficult doesn’t mean it isn’t worth doing.

Raising a child is harder than any job you could imagine, but it also comes with an immense amount of satisfaction. Seeing a baby grow up to become a passionate and productive adult is a joyful experience for any mother or father.

The same may be said for any ambitious goal that comes with a high cost in the form of time or effort.

Instead of getting caught up in the long hours and mental energy it takes to write a book, imagine how amazing you will feel when you have a finished project to share with the world.

Instead of concerning yourself with the pouring sweat and rushed breath you experience during a tough training session, imagine about how strong and confident you will feel when you’re the proud owner of a new-and-improved body.

Focus on the end benefit to stay encouraged when the going gets tough.

17. Exercise Your Power of Belief and Crush It

“Do. Or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda

“I’ll try” is a weak statement that should never escape your lips. Expressing that you will “try” to do something is like accepting failure before you even begin.

Believe in yourself with every ounce of your being, because you are capable of accomplishing anything you set your mind to.

18. March to the Beat of Your Own Drum

“Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.” – John F. Kennedy

Forget about what other people are doing. Getting caught up in the rulebook used by others neglects a key ingredient in the pursuit of success: you.

Just because something worked for another person does not guarantee it will work for you.

Be an innovator.

Make your own rules that are relevant to your unique knowledge, skills, and abilities.

19. Failure and Pain Are Life’s Greatest Teachers

“Where there is no struggle, there is no strength.” – Oprah Winfrey

There is little incentive to improve ourselves when life is nothing but rainbows, cute puppy dogs, candy drops, and sunshine.

Have you ever learned much about yourself during the best of times?

Struggles aren’t fun when they are happening, but they tend to be followed by bitter pills that we need to swallow.

20. Knowledge is Useless Without Action

“It is better to create than to learn! Creating is the essence of life.” – Julius Caesar

Employers are typically more impressed with experience than education.

What good is an impressive GPA if it isn’t accompanied by high-level performance?

The best way to get better at any activity is to take action and do it.

Who do you think will be better at writing:

• a person who spends ten hours reading about writing;
• or a person who spends five hours or more writing every day?

I would be willing to wager my bank account on the second one.

21. The Worst of Times Can Bring Out the Best in People

“It is a curious thought, but it is only when you see people looking ridiculous that you realize just how much you love them.” – Agatha Christie

Have you ever gone through a nasty scuffle with your partner that ended with you breaking up for a day or two before getting back together again?

If so, you’re aware of the fact that the worst times have a way of strengthening a relationship in the long haul.

Family members, partners, and friendships go through this all the time. What’s important is you remember the good qualities and keep working on strengthening those bonds.

22. The World Needs the Special Gift That Only You Can Offer

“Why are you trying so hard to fit in when you were born to stand out?” – Ian, What a Girl Wants

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IhK8hzVfUk

You are a special person unlike anyone else on this planet.

Those personal quirks about yourself that you can’t stand?

You know what I’m talking about:

• that booming laugh that you think is obnoxious,
• those freckles on your face that you find unappealing,
• or the way you can’t resist doing a little dance in a restaurant booth if your favorite jam plays

Your laugh is wonderful and full of feeling, your freckles are gorgeous, and dancing is always a good idea.

The world is full of people trying to fit in, so the best way to stand out is to let your true personality shine. There is nothing more beautiful than a person who is totally comfortable with who they are.

Final Thought

Your life is what you make of it, so I challenge you to aim high and expect the best of yourself. Reach for the stars because life is too short to do otherwise.

Featured photo credit: Thibaut Burckel via unsplash.com