How to Live A Successful & Happy Life: Start Doing These 19 Things

Before jumping in, take a moment to yourself.

See your life as it is. See yourself, as you are—all of your skills, faults, values, and beliefs.

Do you have the type of life you’d like?

I would guess not, simply because you clicked on this article. Or maybe you do have an extraordinary life but still want to get better.

But, as your life stands in this moment, soak it in.

I want you to understand that from this point forward, you have the ability to add what’s missing. It’s going to take work, but I trust you can do it.

So, as you read this, don’t just blow right through the article, tweet at me and tell me how awesome it was, and share it with your Facebook friends.

I mean, yes, you should do every single one of those things, but while you’re reading, reflect on each point and how it pertains to your life.

Visualize.

Jot down notes.

Do what you have to do.

But make your time spent reading this article worth it.

Enjoy.

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1. Start spending time with amazing people

This one is so important, I wrote an entire article on it last week.

Your closest friends and associates should not be vetted lightly.

These people have a huge influence on who you were yesterday, who you are today, and who you will be tomorrow.

Spend time with amazing people and become more amazing through osmosis.

2. Start confronting your problems

Don’t expect this to be easy.

Facing our problems head on is tough and a challenge fit for any man, woman, or child.

This is your life, though, and to make it better, confront your problems, learn from them, and adapt for the future.

3. Start being radically honest with yourself

I don’t care if you lie to me. I don’t care if you lie to your friends.

I don’t even care if you lie to your Grandma, even though I would never understand you for doing so.

Grandmas are awesome.

But the only person you actually have to be honest with is yourself.

Start asking yourself those tough questions you’ve been avoiding.

And if you’re struggling, I’m here to help.

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4. Start being a little selfish

It’s easy to lose focus on what’s important in life.

Stop rushing into adulthood and start being a little more selfish with your time. When you are a student it is perfect time to have fun and enjoy your life! If you have too many assignments to be completed, that’s okay as there is WriteMyEssay4Me which can help you not to worry about that and for you to simply take care of  yourself.

We’re pulled in a million different directions, all of which are telling you to give more and more of your time.

We’re often criticized for being selfish, but I’m here to tell you that your 20’s are a damn good place to focus on Number 1 for a little while.

Stop rushing into adulthood and start being a little more selfish with your time.

Imagine how much good you’ll be able to do when you’re 30 by putting in the work when you’re 20.

5. Start letting go of the past

The past is the past, and you can’t change it no matter how badly you may want to.

Cut your losses and move forward.

It’s time to start the next chapter of your life.

6. Start making mistakes

If you’re making mistakes, it means you’re doing something; you’re taking action.

Don’t be afraid to make a few mistakes in your ventures.

Mistakes, when remedied, are lessons learned.

You’ll be much better off having started. Just… get started.

7. Start forgiving yourself (and others)

Maybe you totally flubbed your job interview. Or perhaps you failed an exam in spectacular fashion.

Everything is going to be okay. I promise.

Forgive yourself. And while you’re at it, start forgiving others.

Forgiveness isn’t for the other person anyway.

It’s for you.

Forgiveness brings closure; it brings the past to a close.

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8. Start living, laughing, and loving abundantly

I mean it. Live your life to its greatest extent.

Laugh as much as possible. And love everyone.

Positive people attract more positive people.

What many people fail to recognize–or accept, I’m not sure which–that the easiest way to meet really fun and awesome people is to be a really fun and awesome person.

Live, laugh, and love.

A lot.

9. Start finding internal happiness

Your happiness is entirely up to you.

Nobody else can make you truly happy—the kind of happy that radiates and attracts other people.

Don’t be confused; happiness is not the destination. Happiness is the mindset.

Happiness is the choice.

Happiness is the path.

10. Start thinking less

Think less? It even sounds counterintuitive.

Too much thinking, though, leads to over-thinking.

Over-thinking leads to you doubting yourself or a situation.

And doubt leads to inaction. (You know how I feel about inaction. Or at least you should.)

The key?

Think less. Act more.

11. Start believing that you are enough

My buddy Mike Hrostoski, who runs an awesome personal development blog, wrote a really killer post on this very point. You are enough.

“You already have everything that you need to fulfill your highest purpose, overcome any challenge that is facing you, and live a life full of love and joy … You don’t need a higher salary, bigger boobs, a girlfriend, another degree, a new car, more Twitter followers, or that purse you saw through the window … In this moment, you are totally complete. You don’t need anything else. You are enough.”

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12. Start being happy for others

I used to be a really jealous person. I don’t know where, why, or even how it started.

I would see other people living the life I wanted, and I would get jealous of them.

I would demonize them in my head and attribute their massive amounts of success to sheer luck.

Take my word for it: this is no way to live.

Be proud of these people for what they’ve accomplished. Use them as inspiration to create your own awesome life.

Don’t be jealous.

Be happy.

Be inspired.

13. Start new relationships for the right reasons

Successful, fulfilling, and amazing relationships will never be need-based.

These types of relationships grow and are fostered through mutual appreciation, attraction, and communication.

If you’re getting into a new relationship simply because you’re lonely, you’re doomed to fail.

14. Start competing against yourself, not others

Where were you yesterday?

Where are you today?

Did you get better?

Did you get worse?

These are the types of questions you should be asking yourself.

Define metrics by which you can measure your improvement.

Focus on you, where you want to be, and how you’re going to get there.

Don’t lose focus by comparing yourself to others. It’s a waste of time, energy, and emotional capacity.

15.  Start taking action

Whatever it is you decide you want to do, just go and do it.

Sitting idle gets you nowhere. Evaluate the path.

Make a decisive action.

And go.  That’s it.

The nuts and bolts of success lie in the decision to try.

16. Start taking the “road less-traveled”

Many people talk a big game.

But not many people walk a big game.

Which group are you going to join?

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17. Start accepting accountability for your actions

Accountability separates the professionals from the amateurs and the adults from the kids.

If you can’t be accountable for your failures, how can you be accountable for your success?

Take responsibility for you life.

And if you aren’t sure how, Ariel Lopez breaks it down with 3 quick tips.

18. Start speaking your mind

Speaking your mind does not make you an asshole.

It means you’re a person who values his or herself. Speaking your mind does not mean you have to be rude to be heard. Just don’t allow yourself to be walked all over.

Have some self-respect.

19.  Start being grateful

No matter your situation, be grateful.

Be grateful for life. Be grateful for opportunity.

Be grateful for your friends, family, and humanity.

Just… be grateful.

It’s amazing what a positive mindset can do to a person.

Now that you’re finished, what did you think? Are you going to start making some of these changes? Let me know in the comments below, as it will help me write articles that matter to you. Undergrad Success is your community. Make of it what you will. Always remember that we’re here to help.

See you again soon.