Navigating Life’s Maze: 5 Habits That Make Me Stronger

Have you ever found yourself in the grip of a guilty pleasure, only to wake up decades later with a bad habit that feels impossible to shake?

It’s a familiar story.

Yet, the true challenge lies in developing habits that empower us, demanding the courage to confront our realities and fears.

Over the years, I’ve been captivated by pursuing habits that would make me stronger. Here’s my journey with five habits that initially felt hard to build but continue to shape my everyday life:

#1 – Emotional Resilience: How Not To Take Things Personally

A pivotal realization dawned on me in my quest for strength—I shouldn’t take things so personally. What others express reflects more about them and their feelings than mine.

Why should I indeed let someone else’s bad day impact my feelings? I might not be able to control what they say or think, but I can control how I react.

So, here’s something I’ve done more often that helps tremendously: I usually take a moment to check my feelings before reacting. Did what the person said upset me, or was it just a trigger for something else? If unsure, I ask for clarification, and I’m amazed at how we can quickly clear misunderstandings through open communication.

#2 – The Power of Soft Speech and Active Listening

Speaking is an art that takes a lot of practice, and I discovered that softer speech creates an atmosphere of comfort and openness. Shouting at each other is never constructive. This revelation came with a critical companion: strong listening.

So, I’m making a point of letting others finish their thoughts before responding. It communicates respect and patience. 

Then, to truly connect, I incorporate support and encouragement into my communication. It has transformed my conversations.

#3 – Authenticity Over Pretending

Early in my career, the mantra was to “fake it ’till you make it.” However, the pitfalls of pretending quickly became evident and hurt my credibility.

Step by step, I shifted towards authenticity, asking more questions to understand and clarify situations. Armed with genuine curiosity and favoring open-ended questions – the ones that start with What, How, or even Why.

I’ve also ensured I’d offer time for understanding without rushing or interrupting. It has enabled much more engaging and meaningful conversations.

#4 – Embracing Uncertainty: Letting Go of the Uncontrollable

Accepting the uncontrollable is not surrender; it’s redirection. Choosing where to invest my emotions and efforts brought me profound peace of mind and has preserved my mental and emotional health.

So, I’ve learned to embrace the uncertainty we face in most business situations. My guiding principles are adapting flexibly and staying in the present moment.

This has helped redirect my energy towards what I could do to best contribute and transformed my outlook on how to shape future outcomes.

#5 – The Beauty in my ‘Boring’ Life

My daily routine defines me; some might label it as ‘boring.’ Yet, I see it as the essence of my life.

In a world of curated social media stories that barely reflect reality, I cherish the authenticity of everyday exercise, healthy eating, and quality time with loved ones. All these things add up.

And it doesn’t have to be ‘boring’; it’s about finding joy in routine, with the freedom to add a twist when you want— like a new running course, different ingredients, or a novel approach to solving a problem.