The Nitty Gritty Guide to Success, Life, and Happiness

Two concepts or ideas drive much of my thinking about life and business, as well as how I see personal happiness.? First, I believe the 80/20 Rule (the Law of the Vital Few) applies to much of life and business.? Second, I believe that simplifying the complex is one of the critical skills to have in your toolbox.? I try to use both almost every day in my writing and decision-making.

I recently put together a short list of ideas that I call the Nitty Gritty Guide to Success, Life, and Happiness.? This list is my latest contribution to the ongoing discussion of how to become successful in life and business, and finding happiness along the way on our life journey.

1.? Find your purpose.? In the Japanese culture, purpose is called Ikigai, which is that something that energizes your life and brings you satisfaction. It's when life works well or best for you.

2.? Learn to read people.? Please understand each one of us is different and driven by our own incentives, needs, and wants. Always watch what people do, not what they say.

3.? No position or status in life is ever permanent or static.? Change always happens.? Such change has to be managed and transitioned.? Get good at doing this and be very nimble.

4.? Be observant at all times.? Eyes and ears open, and antenna always up.

5.? Focused concentration is required for success.? Decide the goal, business or personal, and focus your time, energy, and effort in accomplishing that goal.

6.? Words mean nothing unless they are followed by action.? Words may be true or false and are often meaningless, but actions are what they are.? They exist in objective reality.? Always make sure your own actions reflect your values and principles.

7.? Is your soul in the game?? I use soul here to mean that you are committed to the project or the enterprise, and you bring your integrity, authenticity, and true value to the table.

8.? Value your time above all else.? Time is the scarcest resource or asset we possess.? Do not waste it ever.

9.? Be sensitive to or aware of the energy that you sense in a business or a personal relationship.? The energy you sense will often trigger a gut reaction that you should pay attention to.

10. Have written goals and revise them frequently.? Carry that list with you and read it every day.? Keep all your old lists in your personal journal.

11. Seek out and find a mentor or trusted adviser.? Everyone needs a sounding board and a voice of value in his or her life.

12. Never live your life in fear or make decisions when you are afraid.? It is okay to be risk aversive, but recognize that that personal mindset exists and how it affects your decision-making.

13. Build "mental muscle" and "mental bandwidth" every day by reading, studying, and reflecting. Always invest in your personal development.

14. Always choose joy and happiness. Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

15. Refuse to compromise with error or untruth.*

I hope these 15 ideas add value to your life.? If they do, please share them with friends, family members, and business colleagues.

?Cordially,

Andrew J Guinosso

Reno, Nevada

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*Borrowed from Vernon Howard