Life is challenging, but there are ways you can lessen the load and take control of some of your outcomes.
Shunmyo Submissivea Zen Buddhist monk devotes an entire section of his book: “How to let go” how to avoid making your life harder.
Here are his four tips on how to use your energy wisely and make your life a little easier.
4 ways to make your life easier
1. Think positive thoughts as often as possible
It can be hard to look on the bright side of things when you experience challenges and setbacks, but “will spending a lot of time worrying help?” Masuno wrote. “It won't.”
Often the best thing to do in difficult situations is to think as positively as possible so that you can look for the best solution or next course of action. Masuno noted that people naturally tend to be pessimistic, so you need to be intentional and remind yourself that even the hardest times come to an end.
“The more you can look on the bright side, the less anxiety you will feel and the better it will be,” he wrote.
2. Be confident in your decisions
While being open to the opinions of others can be helpful and important, you should avoid giving too much importance to what other people have to say, Masuno said.
“All of these opinions can confuse you and cause you to overthink everything to the point where you can't decide what you should do,” he wrote. “To avoid this, you must first know your mind.”
Remember that you are the main character of your life and every decision you make should be a decision in which you feel comfortable and confident.
3. Remember that both successes and failures are in the past
When it comes to your craft, it will be a mix of huge achievements, low points, and everything in between. It's important to remember that work is a “living thing,” Masuno said.
“Everything – from the timing, to the conditions, to the people involved – changes at every moment,” he added.
Therefore, you should remind yourself that “both successes and failures are in the past.” Change is the only constant. If you look only to your past successes for guidance, you may miss out on future opportunities that could lead to even greater success, he said.
4. Know when to walk away from battles
Our society is hyper-competitive, and winning is a desire that almost everyone has, Masuno said.
But “there are times when it's best to just get out of the ring,” he said. It's good to have goals and strive for them, but not to get too attached to the result.
When you encounter a situation in which you feel slighted – for example, if someone else gets a promotion instead of you – don't talk about how unfair it is. “Dedicate your fighting spirit to honing your skills so you're on par with your competition,” Masuno wrote.
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