This A to Z guide is a slippery slide down the letters of the alphabet. It is not a ride for the faint-hearted or for the superficial money-hungry beasts who preach gobbledygook. Instead, it’s for people who want to make a difference with their lives. If that describes you, then you’re in the right place. So, buckle up and jump in. We’ve got a long way to go.
A is for Adventure
Life is an adventure. Or to be more precise: your adventure. But where will I go? I hear you ask. What you’re really asking for is a map. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all. Each one of us carries our own map of where we want to go and what we want to do. You need to look within yourself and ask:
Where do I want to go? Why do I want to go there? What is it about this mission that makes me feel excited and alive?
If you’re getting butterflies, then go. If not, explore more options. It doesn’t matter if you travel alone or with someone else as long as you move forward on your quest. New adventures lead to more experiences. There is no such thing as a bad adventure. Remember, the adventure begins when you leave the village. If you’re stuck, don’t despair. Remember this dialogue from Alice in Wonderland: What stops you from embarking on your adventure? Maybe letter B will be of some help.
B is for Bravery
Here’s a promise: you’ll face obstacles, challenges and people who will try to bring you down. Be ready for this. They don’t want you to live your adventure because they’re not happy with theirs. You can safely ignore these people. Learn to stand up for yourself and your mission without a moment’s hesitation. This is your adventure, remember? Don’t let anyone take that away from you. Have the courage to live a life that’s true to yourself. Dare to be brave: you have nothing to fear. If you’re looking for inspiration, find comfort in these words:
C is for Choice
Yes, this is the most important letter of the alphabet. It decides whether you’re going to live a fun and meaningful life or a boring and mediocre one. It boils down to choice. For every living moment, you have a choice about how you will respond. No one expresses the value of choice better than writer and Holocaust survivor Viktor E Frankl: Yes, you always have a choice. If you can’t change a situation, you can always change yourself. I told you it wasn’t easy, but it can still be done with some help from letter D.
D is for Discipline
It can be difficult to follow through on some of your decisions. Procrastination and self-doubt too easily distract you from your path. But that’s why you need discipline. No, I don’t mean military discipline. That’s too violent and scary for me. I’m talking about the kind of self-discipline that artists, athletes and scientists use to practice their craft and to stay committed to the task at hand. It’s willpower. It’s grit. It’s the discipline to make and keep a promise to yourself. Indeed, discipline is hard because you’re competing against yourself. You are your own worst enemy. Don’t let this internal struggle bog you down. With a bit of discipline, you can pave the way for your adventure. It’s not sexy, but it works. Think of it this way: Of course, sometimes there’s a gap between what you know and what you need to know. That’s when letter E comes to the rescue.
E is for Education
A rich life is shaped by education. When you stop learning, you cease to truly live. There’s always more to learn about the world and the people and animals that live in it. If you feel ambitious, there’s always the universe to keep you busy. But let’s not go there today. It makes my head spin. By all means, read more books, listen to more songs, and watch more movies. Talk to people and learn from them. Keep exploring. If your experience of education is anything like mine, it has involved several moments of fear and self-doubt, which brings us to the dreaded letter F.
F is for Fear
Fear of failure. Fear of success. Fear of looking dumb. You can’t escape your fears, but at least you’re not alone in having them. So, what to do? Try to befriend your fear. Invite him over for dinner, share a glass of wine, but skip the small talk (your guest is very good at that). Instead do the unexpected and act in spite of your fear. See how quickly he leaves the room! Remember: when you face your fear, you change your path. And when you change your path, you change yourself.
G is for Generosity
Do you want to know the secret to a rich life? Lean in; I need to whisper this: Generosity. I know it sounds counterintuitive at first, but consider this saying: Allow that to sink in for a moment. Then answer this question: do you fear giving away too much? Many people do. They live their life according to a scarcity model: the belief that there isn’t enough resources for everyone. They fear sharing (not to mention giving!) because that means there will be less over for them. In short, they have a fixed mindset. They think: If I win, you lose. In his book Enchantment, Guy Kawasaki calls these people eaters. They do whatever they can to finish the pie first. The fixed mindset is heavy, frustrating, and annoying to carry around. It makes you anxious and grumpy. Keep it at your own cost. Luckily, there is an alternative. Kawasaki calls these people bakers. They want to make a bigger pie. This growth mindset drastically changes their approach to life. They operate from an abundance model–in other words, the belief that there is enough for everyone to get by. What stops you from adopting a growth mindset? Tip: Read Mindset by Standford psychologist Carol S Dweck for a more extensive explanation on the differences between a growth and a fixed mindset. You won’t be disappointed. Bottom line: Choose your mindset carefully or it will affect your health.
H is for Health
Your body is your holy temple, and you’ll want to treat it with respect. Prevention is the best medicine. So, eat well. Sleep tight. Exercise often. Meet more friends. There’s no excuse to ignore your health. Remember: your health is the biggest sign of your wealth. It grants you another day, another chance. The rest you can leave to the imagination.
I is for Imagination
Your imagination helps you plan and see your life in vivid detail. If I didn’t know better, I’d almost call it magic. Use your imagination to reach your goals more effectively. Remember to engage all your senses in this important enterprise. There’s only one downside to your imagination–without your actual input, it becomes worthless. So, act on your imagination; play with it, have fun with it, and get ready to be surprised. But don’t take my word for it. Here’s what the genius himself, Albert Einstein, has to say about the subject: Well, who am I to disagree with a genius? Open up to your imagination and let it bring you joy.
J is for Joy
Don’t take yourself too seriously. What makes you laugh and smile? Do more of that. Joy lasts longer if you let it seep into the depths of your being. Let it fill you up. Be grateful about the simple joys in life.
K is for Kindness
A rich life starts with cultivating a sense of kindness and friendship towards yourself and others. Remember to be brave: extend kindness to strangers, enemies, and people you find difficult. It makes a big difference. Everyone makes mistakes, but it’s part of the journey. Save yourself the grief. Learn to forgive rather than to condemn. When you’re struggling, remember this quote:
L is for Love
Love is the social glue that binds us all together. To a well-trained eye, love pops up in the most unlikely places. You just need to know where to look. Everyone deserves love. The opposite of love is not hatred. The opposite of love is indifference. Love means that you care. When you stop loving, you stop caring. Your senses become numb and violence and injustice can take over. Now we can’t have that. The more you love, the richer you become. It really is that simple.
M is for Mindfulness
It’s difficult to spend time with your thoughts, worries and feelings. Either you escape them or you get lost inside of them. Mindfulness invites you to tune into your mind. This is a difficult but rewarding practice because it teaches you the art of listening to yourself. So, please take your time. Hurry slowly. Sit down. Close your eyes. Breathe. Remember: Listen more to yourself. After all, you have two ears and one mouth.
N is for Narrative
Everyone loves a good story. What we often forget is that we tell stories all the time: about who we are, what we do, and who we want to be. You can’t always change what happens to you, but you can always change the story you tell yourself. In short, own the story line and tell a better story. Ask yourself: Can I tell myself a different story? Then remember this quote from Stephen R Covey: Change the story line and you change the way you see the problem. And that’s how you turn a problem into an opportunity.
O is for Opportunity
Do you make the most of the opportunities that come your way? Who’s there? Opportunity! Don’t be silly–opportunity doesn’t knock twice!
P is for Principles
A rich life is guided by principles. Think of them as your internal compass. When you feel lost and astray, they’ll be there to pick you up. Proactivity, honesty, integrity–these principles stand the test of time because they work. They also allow you to enjoy your success and not to feel guilty for cheating your way to the top.
Q is for Questioning
Feed your curiosity and never stop asking questions. One of Rudyard Kipling’s famous poems demonstrates this quality well: Questions often lead to more questions, which lead to some useful answers. So, start questioning. Their names are What and Why and When And How and Where and Who
R is for Relationships
Relationships enrich every tenet of our lives. Family, friends and partners support and unite us in our daily struggles. They make life more fun, meaningful and worthwhile. New relationships mean new responsibilities. Do you remember the first time when you became a parent, a grandparent, an aunt or an uncle? These roles gave your life a new meaning, a sense of purpose that wasn’t there before. Without relationships, life becomes futile. Create lasting relationships with others. It’s the most important investment you can make.
S is for Spirit
Spirit has many different meanings. The word itself derives from the Latin word spiritus and means “breath”. It suggests that there is a part of us that outlives our death. Whether you’re religious or not, people leave a legacy after they’re gone. We remember them through their actions, words and deeds. A part of them stays with us. What is important is the legacy they leave behind. What legacy do you want to leave behind? Letter T helps you build the lasting legacy that you deserve.
T is for Teaching
Teaching enriches both your life and your student’s. When you share your knowledge and experiences, you pass on a part of yourself and you allow that knowledge to spread. Others can share your story and learn from it. Teaching helps others avoid costly, dumb and painful mistakes. It’s your duty to pay it forward. As Oscar Wilde points out:
U is for Uncertainty
Your adventure is always going to be uncertain. That’s OK because uncertainty is part of the deal. Embrace it. Never let the fear of the unknown scare you into a corner. You fear uncertainty because you believe you don’t have what it takes to recover from it. Imagine your worst case scenario in vivid detail. What’s the worst possible thing that can happen to you? But don’t just stop there. Now write an equally clear plan on how you’re going to recover from it. Once you do, you’ll realize that you can recover from just about anything.
V is for Values
What do you stand for? What do you find unacceptable? Speak up for your values. Let them walk by your side and guide you to do the right thing.
W is for Win-Win
It’s clear that a rich life does not come from a win-lose mindset. Always think about what others can gain from your actions. This is what Stephen R. Covey aptly calls creating “win-win” situations. No one is a loser. There are only winners. ― Mahatma Gandhi How does that change your outlook on life? And more important, how does it change your actions?
X is for Xylatomy
Say what? Well, you try to find a good word that starts with X. There aren’t that many out there. So, why did I choose this particular word? Because it’s fun to say and I want to reward you for your efforts! You’ve come this far down the alphabet with me, the least I can do is to teach you a new word. Xylatomy can be defined as: Bet you didn’t know that one! So, what does xylatomy got to do with a rich life? Well, I believe it teaches us to find the joy in the small things. What’s your interpretation?
Y is for Yes
Yes is my favorite word. It says: “Let’s do this!” and it also requires you to take responsibility for your actions. A word of caution though: don’t say yes to everything. Believe me, I’ve been there. Only say yes if the answer is: “I cannot not do it“. Don’t be afraid to say no to the rest.
Z is for Zest
Have a zest for life! Stop talking, start doing. Go out there and make the most of it! Don’t be discouraged by the ups and downs. This is part of the journey itself, and there’s nothing you can do about it but to choose your response.
Start your adventure today
Wow, that was quite the ride! What a mouthful of inspiration and advice you’ve taken in! I hope you didn’t get motion sick. It’s time to unbuckle your seatbelt, jump out the car, and get started on your new adventure. But relax. Remember the wisdom of letter C: Choice. Choose to act on one of these letters and you’re well on your way to a richer life. What does a rich life look like to you? What words have I missed that’s on your list? Please share your words and ideas to a rich life in the comments!
