10 principles that I follow in life

For years I have been keeping a journal in which I write down my thoughts, goals, everything that gives me motivation to act, that inspires me and allows me to grow. Recently, I was going through my notes from couple of years ago, and that's how I came across the principles I follow in life, which I decided to write down one morning. They have remained constant over the years. Each of them is very important to me, each requires daily attentiveness, and each is tested (sometimes heavily) from time to time. Here they are:

1) Be a good person - live in harmony with yourself and others, don't deliberately harm others, don't act to someone else's harm, show respect to others, regardless of background or position. Thank others at every opportunity. Help others without expecting anything in return.

2) Be honest - act according to your conscience, don't cheat others and don't cheat yourself.

3) Be yourself - in every situation, don't take on any masks, don't pretend to be someone you're not, don't fit in with others – it will only damage your health, your energy, your life.

4) Be your own best friend - before taking care of others, take care of yourself first. Treat yourself with respect, take care of yourself, your needs, your health and well-being, take care of your body, mind and soul.

5) Always start with yourself - your life depends on you, so take responsibility for it. You are responsible for decisions you take and their consequences, no one else. Don't look for the causes of your failures in others - always look to yourself first.

6) Be grateful - appreciate the everyday, life is made up of little things, small puzzles that make up the whole, enjoy what you have here and now, and you have a lot - you just need to notice and appreciate it. Appreciate the everyday, every day.

7) Focus on continuous development - learn new things, gain new experiences, learn and use your strengths, work consciously on your gaps, learn from your mistakes and find joy in it - a mistake is a great lesson if you recognize it and then learn from it for the future. Be a better version of yourself every day.

8) Be courageous - in taking difficult decisions, in stepping out of your comfort zone, in admitting when you are wrong, in taking responsibility for your actions, in accepting criticism and giving feedback, in being assertive. This is not only an opportunity to learn and gain valuable experience, but also a chance to build confidence in yourself and an additional source of satisfaction.

9) Set ambitious goals - and then focus on achieving them. Don't stay in the dreamland - act here and now. Today take the first step, tomorrow another. When difficulties come (they always come, unless the goal is not ambitious) - don't give up. If necessary - change actions, but don’t change the goal.

10) Look for inspiration - in books, in articles, in videos. Look for people who have achieved what you want, who speak a language that speaks to you. Every person you meet in your life can be your student or your teacher, and often acts in both roles. You just need to notice it.

I encourage you to write down your own principles and look into them from time to time. The written words are much more powerful!