When you disagree or fight with a partner, don't use logic. Use the sleep test. Ask, who's emotionally more invested? Go with their way.
Say we go with my way and you can't sleep tonight. If my way turns out to be wrong, you will have suffered AND we made the wrong decision.
When it's a deadlock, ask who won't be able to sleep tonight. You can often adjust later.
Ask others to check in on you. Sometimes, we forget to simply ask how someone is doing because we're busy.
Just asking, "Are you okay?" or "How are you feeling?" can work wonders. This is true even if the answer is "good," and even more so if the answer is "no."
When packing a bag or suitcase, pack lightly. Keep space in your bag. This way it’s easier to open and close it. And to find things. And you'll have extra space, just in case.
If it’s too packed, take things out. Or use a bigger bag!
What's something you've been wanting to do for a long time but still haven't? Write down the top excuses for why you haven't done it yet.
Maybe you've always wanted to travel to a foreign country... Turn your excuse list into your to-do list.
The next time you’re hosting a dinner or party, create a five-star experience for your guests. What is the best experience you can imagine?
Fresh fruits? Homemade cookies (still slightly warm)? Special decoration? Help them in and out of their coat. Make their favorite dishes. Buy their favorite drinks. Use your best china …
Let your creativity run wild. Go all out. You’ll have a blast, and so will they!
We love giving advice to others. But do we follow that advice ourselves? What advice do you often give but aren’t following yourself?
If you say generosity is important, ask yourself: "Am I always generous?" Lead by actions, not by words.
Often, it's not the things we say, but the things we don't say, that get us in trouble.
If you’re running late and a friend starts a long chat, it’s better to mention you’re in a hurry.
Suggest rescheduling instead of trying to be polite and listening without being truly present.
Take a nap during the day. It revitalizes you and gives you energy. Nap for around 20 minutes. This boosts mental alertness and ensures that it’s easy to wake up.
If you want to be close to someone, be close to them. Instead of sitting opposite each other, sit next to each other. This way, there is nothing between you. It's natural, comfortable, and fosters closeness and intimacy.
When in doubt, ask! Either you’ll confirm what you thought or you’ll clarify what you didn’t understand.
Also, when you’re in a group, if you have a question, the chances are high someone else has that question too.
When making a decision, think about it logically but also feel it out.
Only inviting the closest family to a special occasion may make logical sense. But does it feel right?
The best decisions are those where both the head and the heart say yes!
You’re never too old to try something new. The more new things you try, the younger you’ll feel.
The next time you’re asked to play a video game with your grandchild, say yes!
Beginners tend to focus on catching. But the secret to juggling is throwing.
Start with one ball, throw and let it drop
Practice this for 20-30 minutes
Then, add a second ball: throw, throw, drop, drop
Focus on getting good at throwing. If you're good at throwing, catching becomes natural.
Focusing only on outcomes (catching) can lead to trouble. Get the basics right and the rest becomes a lot easier. This is true for juggling and in life.
Learning new things can make your life more wonderful.
Learn how to cook! Or how to play an instrument. Or pick up that language you learned in school but have gotten rusty in.
Get a book, take a class or ask a friend and have fun learning!
When you meet someone for the first time, ask for their name. Remember it and use it. This shows appreciation and helps build a connection.
It’s always nice when someone you just met remembers your name and calls you by it.
Gifts can be small postcards to write a friendly note, a special stone, a book you love or some other little token of appreciation.
The best gifts are the ones you don’t expect. Carry gifts wherever you go and create beautiful surprises for others!
When was the last time you got a surprise gift? What was it? And how did you feel?
Your best teacher is your last mistake. But if you want to learn from your mistakes, laugh at your mistakes first.
Don’t take them so seriously. Learn from them and move on. And most importantly, have fun doing it!
When you’re feeling in a funk, mix things up. If you’ve been in front of a screen the entire day, go outside into nature.
Close your eyes and smell the air, touch a tree, or simply listen. Use your senses to connect to yourself.
Ask yourself which sense you use the least, and think about why.
Want to see your friends, family and loved ones more often?
Set a “Jour Fixe” (French for “fixed day)“. Instead of coordinating every time, set a recurring appointment.
Have a regular routine and fix the day. It’s the easiest way to get more friend or family time in your week.
The next time you feel like quitting, do 5 more.
5 more minutes of reading, 5 more pages of writing, or 5 more steps of jogging. Then, repeat.
Sometimes you can break through and keep going. And if you can't, you've still ended five ahead. Tell yourself you’ll quit tomorrow, but not today!
Sometimes it’s better to focus on the things you agree on instead of arguing who is right or who is wrong.
Build connections, not walls - especially with loved ones and other people you care about.