It is a known fact that before you can live a purposeful life, you must undergo transformation. It’s totally possible to learn how to change your life and live happily. It might not feel like it could be that way, but it’s possible.
But just because it’s possible to change your life doesn’t mean it’s easy. Should this scare you? I don’t think so.
After all, nothing good comes easy, so they say. It takes effort and commitment to change your life, but it is worth it.
There are 14 tips I try to live by on a daily basis. For me, they are like rules, and I believe that these tips can help shape your life. But note, you’ll need to understand these rules properly.
They are brief but have deep meaning attached to them. If you understand the meaning, then you can apply it to your life, and I promise you, you’ll see changes, and it won’t be a surprise.
So, without further ado, let's jump right into it.
Tip 1 – Don’t just learn; experience.
It’s one thing to learn; it’s another to experience, and you only experience something by practicing and partaking in it.
Back then, while studying electrical engineering at the university, I thought I knew what I was doing because I was learning theoretically, but the first day I stepped into a power station, I realized I had known nothing about my field all this time.
Take it a step further to experience what you’ve learned.
Tip 2 — Don’t just read; absorb.
How many times have you read a book and it had no impact on your life? For me, many times and the reason was that I didn’t absorb what I read. You must fully comprehend what you have read before you can put it to use.
Tip 3 – Don’t just change; transform.
In simple terms, let people see you and begin to wonder what happened to you. Let their question always be, “How did you do it?.”
I had a friend who back then was living the way he likes only for me to see him now and he’s a preacher of God's word. Everything about him is different now. Total transformation I must say. I could not connect the dots. That’s what transformation is. A new you that no one saw coming.
Tip 4 – Don’t just relate, advocate.
It’s one thing to relate, but it’s another to take it further. Don’t just talk to people; talk with them.
Tip 5 – Don’t just promise, prove.
I can't count the number of promises I have made to people that I haven’t kept. It still bothers me every time. By keeping your promises, you’ve proven them.
Tip 6 – Don’t just criticize, encourage.
I don’t think I need to explain this more than the way it is already. When you keep criticizing people without encouraging them, you set yourself up for disaster because your own time is coming. Always learn to give constructive feedback to improve the situation.
Tip 7 – Don’t just think, ponder.
Think but dwell on it. When you dwell on it that’s where the magic happens. You get results. Don’t be shallow in your thinking. Think to get results by dwelling on your thoughts.
Tip 8 – Don’t just take, give.
When you take all the time without giving, you become a beggar. I’m not just talking about money. You have a lot to give. What are you good at? Start serving with your gift. That’s giving.
Tip 9 – Don’t just see, feel.
This works for everything in life. You can't manifest your reality without first feeling it. You might have seen it, but do you feel it?
Tip 10 – Don’t just dream, do.
You’ve got a dream? Don’t just sit there and do nothing. Take action. No matter how big and impossible it is, little by little. Step by step, you’ll get there. I know you will.
Tip 11 – Don’t just hear, listen
How many times have you had a conversation with someone who just wants to talk you down? He's not interested in hearing your point of view. Don’t be like that
Tip 12 – Don’t just talk, act.
Action they say, speaks louder than words. Learn to act.
Tip 13 – Don’t just tell, show.
Words are nothing. Actions are everything. When you cultivate the habit of showing, your words hold more weight. People take you seriously. Be the embodiment of what you preach.
Tip 14 – Don’t just exist, live.
If there’s anything you must understand, then it’s the brevity of life. Life’s short, my friend. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Make sure you make it count. Be happy, be adventurous, do what you think is right for you, and leave no stone unturned.
I got these 14 tips from Roy T. Bennett, and I call it the “Don’t Just” creed.
You’ll agree with me that it is spot on. As I said earlier, you’ll need to understand these tips properly. By living by these 14 golden tips, you can change your life.
But to truly change your life, you’ll need to change yourself first, and these tips will point you in the right direction.
Thanks for reading. I hope this article helps. Please leave a comment below if any of the tips resonate with you and you want to share your view.
Remember, you have greatness within you.