10 Steps to Living a Full Life

It is remarkably easy to get distracted while attending to the busy details of daily life.

Goals and dreams often get put on hold while you are waiting for the “perfect time” to make a move. Life is happening all around you and while you are putting things off, time may be passing you by. Follow these ten key life lessons to make the most of every day–in the present moment.

Identify Your Values

Make a conscious decision to define what you most want out of life. How does it sync up with your current situation? Everyone experiences challenges, but if you are perpetually complaining, stressed and bitter, you may be living in direct conflict with what you really value. One of my favorite sayings goes like this, “If it costs you your peace, it’s too expensive.” If your high-stakes job has given you an ulcer or sent you to the hospital or divorce court, you may be in need of a personal transformation.

Speak Up

A confident “no” means saying “yes” to a better opportunity while creating space for your own peace of mind. You may find you are committed to an assortment of time wasters with no personal reward in sight. If you are investing significant amounts of your time and energy to something which doesn’t serve you, one two-letter word is your ticket to a better life … NO.

You Are in Charge

Accept responsibility for all aspects of your life, both the good and bad. You can’t continue to blame others for your problems or failures. Playing the victim card only reinforces your lack of self-control. You are in the driver’s seat, so start your engine and make a change. Even a small modification to your daily routine is a positive first step.

Everyone Looks Better Online

Social media photo-shops your life. If you frequently compare yourself to others you see online, rest assured they aren’t as tan, happy or rich as they are letting on. Filters, lighting, and a multitude of apps and whistles make everyone shine a bit brighter. People post what they want you to see. As Theodore Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Measuring yourself against anyone else is a losing proposition. Weighing your life against what you see online is a losing battle because you can’t compete with a facade.

Perception is Everything

Reality is based on your interpretation. You can choose to focus on those things you lack or appreciate your ability to pursue bigger, better or different goals. Your attitude on life determines how you view every outcome.

Life Will Always Be Complicated

There is not a “perfect time” for anything. If you wait until conditions are exactly as they should be, you will never move ahead. Whether it’s your personal life or career, there will always be a fair amount of calculated risk. It’s nice when all the planets are aligned but more important to know how to deal with obstacles as they come up. It’s amazing how once you have committed to a course of action, doors will open and circumstances will fall into place.

Time Does Not Stand Still

There’s tremendous wisdom in the adage “this too shall pass,” and it applies to both the good times and the bad. Your tears will heal you and your life will get better. Cherish happy memories to carry you through the tough days and rest assured the sun will eventually return.

Living in the Past is Futile

Many people have a tendency to forgive others while continuing to beat themselves up over past mistakes. How much energy have you wasted worrying about something you cannot change? Your time is better spent focusing on today and how you can enrich your life and the life of those you love and respect. Doors shut for a reason. You are human and if you gave your heart to a cause, person or job that didn’t work out, consider it might have actually worked out as it should.

The Upside of Tears is Strength

Even the best-laid plans derail. When a relationship ends, a job doesn’t materialize or things don’t turn out the way you had hoped, look for the lesson. Experience is an effective teacher. Let life’s challenges build up your resilience. Some of the strongest people have the battle scars to prove their fight was a successful journey.

Listen to Your Whispers

When it comes to tough decisions, your gut and your heart are usually working in sync. But the noise of daily life, the opinions of others and nagging “shoulds” and “what ifs” are often distracting. Allow yourself space and time to follow your instincts. Sometimes it’s better to forge ahead and other times it’s best to sit still. If you don’t know what to do, listen to your whispers (instinct) and see what you can learn.

For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, you may enjoy Overcoming Your Negative Thoughts. Read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on HuffPost, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. Buy her new book, Modern Etiquette for a Better Life.