40 Cheat Codes You Wish You Knew Early On

When you think something nice about someone, let them know right then.

Never think twice about investments in yourself. They pay dividends for a long time.

Put your alarm clock in the bathroom. If you have to get up to turn it off, you won’t snooze.

If you want to get better at anything, do it for 30 minutes per day for 30 straight days.

Hire a writer to document your parents’ childhood stories. Print it with old photos.

Write down three things you’re grateful for before bed. Read them out loud when you wake up.

Go for a 15-minute walk every morning. It has a positive impact on your mood, sleep, metabolism, digestion, and more.

Tell your partner one thing you appreciate about them every single day.

Always pursue the path that has the larger luck surface area.

Do a few things that you will be excited to tell your kids about someday. Create stories worth telling.

Spend 15 minutes every evening preparing for your first focus tasks the next morning.

If someone tries to put down your accomplishments, cut them out of your life.

Take yourself out for a meal alone once each month. It’s insanely freeing - a meditative experience.

When you’re starting your career, swallow the frog for your boss to get ahead. Observe your boss, figure out what they hate doing, and take it off their plate. Easy win.

When someone is going through Hell, just say “I am with you.“ Advice is minimally impactful. The notion that someone is with you is 10 times more powerful.

If someone regularly brags about their wealth, income, or success, just assume the reality is about 50% of what they say.

Reread your favorite books annually. You may read thousands of books in your life, but there will only be a few that deeply change you. Reread them every single year.

Never delay difficult conversations. If you are nervous, do it on a walk, it makes it much easier.

Do the “old-fashioned“ things well. Look people in the eye, have a firm handshake, and always stay true to your word

If you are about to say yes to something on the assumption that you’ll have more time for it in the future, say no instead.

Give people a second chance, but never a third.

If you want something – and have put in the work to deserve it – ask for it. Remember: Closed mouths don’t get fed.

Learn one dance move that you can reliably bust out when you inevitably get pushed into the center of a dance circle at a wedding or event.

Be bored for at least 15 minutes per day. Boredom unlocks creativity.

Invest in personalized stationery and use it regularly.

If you are struggling to fall asleep, try the 4-7-8 method: Breathe in through your nose for a four second count, hold your breath for a 7 second count, and exhale for an 8 second count.

Make decisions that your 80-year-old self and 10-year-old self would be proud of.

Do one hard thing every day when you could do it the easy way.

Spend more time doing things you never regret.

When trying to break a bad habit, wear a small rubber band on your wrist and snap it (lightly) on yourself each time you do the thing you’re trying to stop.

If you’re trying to make conversation with someone intimidating, ask what they’re currently working on that they are most excited about.

If you’re about to take an emotion induced action, wait 24 hours.

Be interested in everyone you encounter.

To start the day with energy, try my 5-5-5-30 morning routine: when you wake up, do five push-ups, five squats, five lunges, and a 30 second plank.

To eat healthier, do your shopping on the outer perimeter of the grocery store.

Treat your credit card like a debit card.

Never take advice from people on the sidelines.

Create an automated deposit for a small amount of money into an investment account every month.

Carry a notebook everywhere you go. Stop trying to remember things and just write everything down. Or use the Notes app on your cell phone.

Have one thing in your life that you are bad at (but love doing).