Six Hacks to Upgrade Your Life
Six Hacks to Upgrade Your Life
Life is a game. Don’t hate the player; hate the game.
It is inevitable for us to escape the game in life because the truth is, we are born players, whether we choose it or not. It is our choice to either maximise this game as an attentive character or fall behind as a passive character. The world is empowered by constant new ideas, demanding innovation and proactiveness to get by.
This article shall be the solution to some of your problems. Let’s learn six life hacks to master the game.
For personal growth:
1.Embrace stillness
The majority of our lives is spent working, like a hamster caught in an endless cycle. During those times, we find ourselves craving a long, stress-free break—to slack off without worrying about what’s next. Appreciate boredom, for in a lifestyle of consistent brain scatter and stress, to be “bored” is to reclaim the time otherwise consumed by chaos. It is a luxury of abundance—to lay back, breathe, and find clarity in living, laughing, and loving. Let’s recognise that stillness becomes the ideal time for living, not merely surviving.
In these moments of pause, dwell in a plethora of hobbies and enjoy learning at your own pace. This golden opportunity is for you to uncover parts of yourself essential to building a skilled avatar in this game of life. Your past will be marked by self-discovery because you took the time to cherish those small, tranquil moments in an otherwise fast-paced world. The irony is that this moment of mundaneness where you feel unfulfilled is actually the optimal time for productivity.
2. The right people
“You are a product of your environment,” according to W.Clement Stone. To excel exceptionally in this competitive world, one ought to maximise their development and thrive in pursuit of their current goals. But perhaps the most vital factor in this journey is the company you keep. The energy, mindset, and influence of the people you interact with can significantly impact your own development. Surrounding yourself with enriching, like-minded people is not just a cliché—it is transformative. The group you interact with reflects your approach to handling your daily life, whether it is seizing opportunities or facing challenges. Positive, like-minded people push you to become better, challenge you to think bigger, and inspire you to strive for more. This is a catalyst that accelerates your true potential.
For example, a study by Dr. Robert L. Reiner from Harvard University on the power of social environments in education found that students performed better in an environment where they are surrounded by motivated and high-achieving peers. The study showed that students in “high-performance” groups were more likely to adopt positive study habits and engage in critical thinking, contributing to faster academic and personal development. This demonstrates how a conducive social space can drastically enhance an individual’s growth trajectory.
3. Knowledge is power
“Knowledge is power” is not just a statement; it is the universal truth that underscores every facet of life. Knowledge is the foundation for informed decisions, solving problems, and adapting to change. It is a weapon used to navigate the future with confidence and precision. Constantly educate yourself as an investment in yourself; knowledge is so diverse that it comes in handy in the most unexpected times.
Harnessing continuous learning is a lifelong journey of effort and curiosity. Start by reading—whether it’s books, articles, or research in areas that spark your interest. Leverage online platforms, courses, and tutorials to explore specialised skills or expand your understanding of a subject. The most crucial of all is to stay open-minded, as ingrained knowledge takes place from the willingness to learn, unlearn, and relearn as you grow. With the convenience of a diverse range of data today, the world’s knowledge is in your hands. Knowledge is a lifelong journey with no set starting point or age limit. Its beauty lies in its timelessness—no matter when you begin, every step adds value, and being alive is always the time to learn and grow.
For effective communication:
- Posture
Have you ever heard of the saying “fake it till you make it?” This concept applies to your posture, as it has the power to craft an illusion of confidence, even if you are not feeling it on the inside. Body language is a massive giveaway to your emotions and thoughts. Positive body language, such as standing tall, maintaining eye contact, and using open gestures, can portray self-assurance to others. These nonverbal cues not only shape how others perceive you but can also influence your own mindset. With ample practice, your posture determines genuine confidence as your body and mind align.
A good posture comprises standing or sitting upright with your shoulders relaxed but not slumped. Your ears should align with your shoulders, and your chin should be level, avoiding tilting forward or backward. Keep your chest open and your abdomen gently pulled in to support the spine. When standing, your feet should be hip-width apart, with your weight evenly distributed across both feet. In a seated position, your feet should be flat on the floor, and your knees should be at a 90-degree angle. This posture not only promotes physical health but also conveys confidence and attentiveness.
Be mindful of your posture because it forms the first impression others have of you.
2. The TWO ways to negotiate
Effective communication is prevalent where people rely on one another in every aspect of life. This comes down to habitual negotiation in an attempt to form a ground of understanding and adapting to others’ needs to create mutual benefit. Hence, it is essential to grasp the ONLY TWO keys to an effective negotiation, which are emotional negotiation and rational negotiation.
Emotional negotiation relies on the emotional appeal and resonance between the parties involved. In this approach, individuals tap into feelings, empathy, and psychological triggers to influence conversations. It fosters a shared sense of trust, understanding, and rapport in finding common ground based on shared values or experiences. This type of negotiation can be especially helpful in situations where cooperation and long-term partnerships are prioritised over immediate, rational outcomes.
On the other hand, rational negotiation stems from logic, facts, and objective factors. It involves analysing the situation, assessing the variables, and making informed decisions based on practicality. In this scenario, parties focus on the details—costs, benefits, risks, and other variables—to arrive at a solution that is most efficiently favourable to both parties. This method is often preferred in technical or formal settings where clear terms and measurable outcomes are fundamental.
The key to effective negotiation lies in knowing when to use each approach. Recognise the type of person you are negotiating with and whether they respond better to emotional appeals, while others may prefer a more logical, objective approach to achieve the best possible result.
3. Use “I believe” instead of “I think”
Delivering your point across must exude confidence to gain respect and attention from your audience. Using phrases like “I believe” instead of “I think” is a form of effective speech that conveys a stronger sense of conviction, signalling that you are certain about your view. By asserting confidence, you not only enhance credibility to your opinion but also create a space where ideas are taken seriously.
“I believe” derives a sense of certainty, illustrating your firm stance on the topic. It portrays the solidity of your opinion, which invites others to consider your viewpoint more seriously. On the other hand, “I think” can come across as tentative, implying you are not entirely sure about your stance.
Whether we realise it or not, the world keeps spinning, constantly pushing us forward into a revolutionary present. Embrace the changes and turn them into opportunities by implementing these life hacks as a daily grind to win the game.
Words to learn:
Plethora – an excessive or overabundant quantity of something
Avatar – digital representation or character that a user creates to represent themselves in virtual environments, online games, or social media platforms
Irony – a situation or expression where there is a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens, or between what is said and what is meant
Pursuit – the act of following or chasing after something with the intent to achieve or attain it
Catalyst – something or someone that causes or accelerates a change or process without being directly involved in the outcome
Trajectory – the path or course that something follows, particularly when it is moving through space or time
Ingrained – something deeply embedded or firmly established, often in a person’s habits, beliefs, or characteristics
Prevalent – widespread or commonly occurring in a particular area, time, or among a certain group
Tentative – something that is uncertain, hesitant, or not fully developed
Revolutionary – something that causes or relates to a major change or transformation, often in a radical or groundbreaking way
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