12 Truths About Life That Will Change the Way You Think and Live

2020 is a wake-up call for many of us.

This year, many people finally realized that they’re not living in a vacuum.

And millions of people had to rethink the way they lived their lives until now.

While a corporate career seemed pretty safe a year ago, the reality is different today.

Over the past months, many people realized that they’ve been wasting their lives for decades instead of making each day count.

We realized that health matters and that it’s indeed possible to slow down, hustle less, and reconnect with our loved ones on a deeper level.

We learned how beautiful an unexpected phone call instead of text messages can be and that the meaning of life might be more than working 40 hours per week inside a concrete cube to pay the bills.

And while this year indeed taught us a lot, there’s still so much we don’t understand.

It’s no coincidence that most people spend their lives full of regrets and only a few live life to the fullest.

Those with regrets refuse to accept the truths of life and don’t want to confront challenges. As a result, they lack inspiration and the will to make a change.

The truth is often painful. Yet, it’s necessary to embrace those facts to live a better, more meaningful, and empowered life.

No One Will Ever Come to Save You

Most people waste their lives waiting for someone to make a change: the government, prince charming, their boss,…

Yet, the harsh truth is that someone else can never satisfy you.

And most people don’t even want to save you. Because most people don’t care about you.

Sounds hard, I know, but it’s the truth.

If you want to live a better life, you need to make a change.

You need to be your own cheerleader and allow yourself to be bold and courageous to get what you want.

We all want more, but only those who take responsibility have the chance to get more.

Making a Wrong Decision Is Better Than Making No Decision

Most people spend the majority of their time trapped in analysis paralysis.

Instead of taking imperfect action, they overthink decisions, regardless of their importance.

Yet, overanalyzing a situation is nothing more than procrastination.

You’re not doing a good job if you’re trying to analyze a situation to death. You’re just wasting time.

And pretty often, doing something is better than doing nothing. As Bruce Lee once said:

“If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.”

Consistency Is Better Than Intensity

The #1 reason why most people fail to change their habits is that they start with high expectations.

Working out for five hours won’t help to change your body. But working out five times a week for five months might do so.

Meditating for 10 minutes every day is better than a two-hour meditation every few weeks.

Consistency almost always beats intensity.

There Won’t Ever Be a Better Time to Start

I’ll spend more time on my hobbies when the kids move out.

I’ll take care of my health when the stressful time is over.

I’ll start my business once I saved more money.

I’ll write more if I have less to do.

I’ll ask them out at a better time.

Does any of these sound familiar to you?

Most people waste their lifetime procrastinating instead of living the life they dream of.

They constantly put off their dreams, thinking there would be a better time to pursue them later.

Yet, the harsh truth is that you never know how many days you’ve left on this planet.

Every breath you take is a miracle.

You woke up this morning while many people didn’t. Embrace the magic of being alive and start doing the things that truly matter instead of wasting your days.

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

The Grass Isn’t Greener on the Other Side

It’s so easy to admire the wins of others instead of focusing on your own life.

Yet, analyzing the success of other’s won’t ever lead to more satisfaction for you.

Most of the time, you’ll only see the positive aspects of the other side and have no idea about their struggles. But the truth is that everyone is facing their own battles.

And all you can do is trying to win your own game instead of comparing yourself to others.

You Only Get Stronger by Doing Hard Things

Staying in your comfort zone and doing what you’ve always been doing sounds appealing, right?

Even though it might sound nice, it won’t ever make you happy.

If your life is simple, you’ll likely become weak.

Doing the hard things, however, will make you stronger, no matter if you win or lose.

Money Matters

Most people spend 40 hours per week in a job they dislike for decades, yet refuse to accept the fact that money is important.

Instead, they have negative beliefs such as money is dirty, rich people are corrupt, or money is the root of all evil.

But the truth is that you wouldn’t be spending 40 hours on a job you hate if you wouldn’t care about money.

Money can’t solve all problems, but it can indeed be a solution to many.

Financial stability can often equal peace of mind and even though money is not everything, a lot of things are nothing without money.

Money doesn’t only pay your rent and food, but it also allows you to meet your loved ones and spend time with them.

Don’t Expect Rationality

We often feel as if we need lots of information to make judgments and decisions.

Yet, while extra information often gives us the illusion of certainty, it actually makes us more prone to mistakes.

In his book Blink, Malcolm Gladwell describes how there can be as much value in the blink of an eye as in months of rational analysis.

Sometimes, you just know something without knowing why.

And most of the time, it makes more sense to rely on your intuition instead of overanalyzing situations.

You Can Walk Away

You can quit your job even if you’ve been working for the same company for decades.

You can leave a toxic partner after a long relationship.

And you can even walk away from family members who make you feel worse instead of better.

No matter how scary it might seem, you always have the choice to walk away and start from zero. But so do they.

You Are Your Biggest Enemy

As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

Whatever it is that you want, in most cases, it’s you holding yourself back from having it.

Most of the time, we’re our own critic instead of cheering on ourselves.

Two things can cost you everything in life:

• Your ego
• And a lack of confidence

If you know yourself well, regularly reflect on your strengths and weaknesses, and use those wisely, you can have anything you want.

While competitiveness is a vital force in life, knowing yourself is much more important.

You’ll only feel content if you stop comparing yourself to others and focus on yourself.

You Can’t Succeed if You Don’t Try

Sounds pretty straightforward, huh?

Yet, this is one of the most common reasons why the majority never reaches their goals: They wait instead of just taking imperfect action.

Most people are so afraid of failure and mistakes that they don’t even try to achieve their goals. Instead, they prepare, make plans, and analyze a situation to death.

And most of the time, it’s your ego holding you back from taking imperfect action.

Yet, without trying, you’ll never know what you could achieve.

Looks Matter

We all know that inner values matter more than the appearance of someone. Yet, it’s dumb to deny the fact that looks matter.

At first, we all judge people by how they look. That’s not even evil, it’s natural.

You don’t need to spend extra money on new clothes, but it might make sense to spend a few minutes before leaving the house to dress in a way you feel comfortable and confident.

Feeling comfortable in your skin and clothes might not only lead to a more powerful first impression, but it will also help you to feel better and act more confidently.

Final Thoughts

Regardless of how careful you are, life will slap in your face more often than you might expect.

If you’re brave enough to accept and embrace these truths, you can make significant changes.

These truths can either be your enemy or your greatest mentors.

You can ignore them or accept their power and live accordingly.

It’s up to you.