How to Life—Just Do These 4 Things
Life is full of things you should know, should do and should avoid…like self care, eating more green things and learning how money works. That’s all well and good, but I prefer overarching simplicity.
I have four simple ideas for how to life. If I nail these things, things go well for me.
This is a short post on a big idea. But sometimes, the simplest answer is the best.
I’m 37 years old and I’ve tried a lot of different ways to do life. I’m not sure if there’s a single best approach, but I do feel like the ideas in this post are close to something universal.
Something true.
So let’s get to it.
1. Listen More Than You Speak
“The biggest communication problem is we don’t listen to understand; we listen to reply.”
When we speak, we’re usually just repeating what we already know (or think we know).
But when we listen, we may learn something new.
Everyone knows something I don’t. Even a small child has some unique experience or nugget of insight that I do not. It would take a lot of ego to assume I know it all or that my answers and experiences are somehow better.
This approach to living also sharpens patience and critical thinking.
So the next time someone is talking (especially if you disagree), try listening. Like, really listening…actively.
2. Do More Than You Say
Talk is easy. But trust me, eventually people stop listening…
Unless you actually do what you say you’ll do. Better yet, do more than you say.
So share things, sure. But leave a little mystery.
Don’t overhype yourself. And tip the scale so you’re saying things like “I DID [this thing]” more than “I want to do [this thing]”. Give little hints, but let the actions and results speak for themselves.
The trick is again patience.
Sometimes, you put in work for years and still have nothing to show for it—well, nothing tangible in the materialist sense.
But I promise you, if you stick with it (with anything) for long enough, serendipities will show up. Results will come. Recognition, if that’s what you crave, will happen naturally.
Provided you’re doing something that’s actually aligned and true to you…and doesn’t screw over anyone.
These things (results, serendipities, recognition) are best when they’re organic, not forced or faked.
So do more than you say. It’s a great recipe for accomplishing great things.
3. Give More Than You Take
Imagine a world where everyone gave more than they took.
This is a great way to approach life.
But it’s not supposed to be a math equation. So don’t stress over reaching some perfect 51% giving ratio.
It’s an intention. A reminder to give back.
Give your time, give a hand, give a listening ear. Donate, volunteer.
Overdeliver.
Leave things better and cleaner than when you got them.
Give more than you take.
It’s an altruist’s habit—and a pretty fcking good one.
4. Create
Life is a fun creative act. Or at least, it should be.
So curate and design the context you’d like. This is part of lifestyle design.
If life is a movie, then you’re the director, the writer, the producer, the marketing team and the lead role.
Put another way, life is an art project, a script that you write and act out.
Live a movie-like life.
What’s your genre? What’s your story arc? Who are the characters and what’s the dialogue like?
What’s your hero’s journey?
Craft the life you want.
Embrace guilty pleasures, be cringe, travel more, make bad art, fall in love, quit jobs you hate…embrace struggles but celebrate the little wins along the way.
Do great things—not for fame or perfection, but for expression. For fun.
Creativity preserves humanity.
Let’s not lose that.
And that wraps on my four ideas on how to life. But lemme know what else you got below.
Otherwise, later ✌️
Want More? Nice. Here’s More.
