You’re in charge of your life.

Taking ownership and accountability for every aspect of life can be overwhelming at times, yet it empowers you to make any change you choose.

Build your focus.

Build your strength.

Here are a few simple ways to practice living an awesome life.

Live in the Moment

Easier said than done, I know ;)

Most of us need reminders to be more mindful.

A daily mindfulness practice can help you notice your thoughts and begin to understand that your consciousness is separate from them.

Mindfulness and present awareness also give you the freedom to surrender what is out of your control.

If ‘living in the moment’ sounds overwhelming because you have a pattern of obsessing over the past or worrying about the future, start small. Take two minutes to focus on your breath. Go for a short walk around your neighborhood and see what you can notice.

Find ways to make your meditation simple and enjoyable.

Get to Know Yourself

Who are you? What do you stand for? What are you here to do in this lifetime?

These are big questions. If you embrace growth, your answers to these questions will likely change over time.

Learn your strengths and weaknesses. Study yourself. You might try a personality test such as the best Enneagram test to understand your tendencies, motivations, and desires more deeply. It’s an excellent personal development tool for helping you to improve yourself and also your relationships and interactions with others.

Avoid Comparisons

Are you exhausted from comparing yourself and your life to others?

It can be a tough habit to break. In a world of social media, job titles, income status levels, and grades in school, we grow up learning to compare ourselves to those around us.

3 simple ways to shift out of comparison mode and love yourself more:

Prioritize your self care. Notice what needs improvement, starting with basic needs. How are you eating, sleeping, hydrating, exercising? Do you make time for yourself on a regular basis? Do you make yourself a priority?
Disconnect. Take time away from your phone, computer, and other people. See what is revealed by the practice of solitude and quiet.
Notice when you experience fear.

Do More of What You Love

It can also be helpful to treat yourself every so often and to do more of what you love to keep yourself happy and improve your life. You’ll find you’re much more joyful and look forward to each day when you fill your schedule with activities and a job that is gratifying for you. Try your best to find a balance between working hard and then allowing yourself to relax and have a little fun. Make more time for self-care activities and ensure that you’re living a healthy lifestyle and taking good care of your mind and body.

Cultivate a Deep Sense of Gratitude

When your sense of gratitude comes from a place within that is calm and centered, it cannot be shaken. Let your gratitude practice be so strong that it does not change based on outward circumstances. This goes hand in hand with a mindfulness practice.

If you are able to separate your self from your thoughts, and from the situations around you, you begin to see how your gratitude is not changed by external factors. It is a part of you.