Do not give up at the first hurdle! While it isn't sensible to pursue an idea or project that will not take off despite your best efforts, no-one got anywhere in life by giving up at the first downfall. If you want something badly enough and have the skills required to pull it off, you can often do so with nothing but hard work and determination. And the harder it is to achieve the better you will feel when you do...
2.Strive for perfection:
If you are going to bother doing something do it well! Mediocre efforts won’t make you proud, so do your best in every way. Cook from scratch, decorate according to instructions (preparation is key!) and do your job to the best of your ability. Invest as much time in nurturing your children when they are young as you can; you will never get those years back, and soon enough they will refuse to listen to anything you have to say.
3. Be true to yourself at all times:
Who cares what anyone else thinks? You may be surprised... Many people are inhibited or feel they are being scrutinised by others. Young adults, especially, seek to fit in and to be approved of by their peers. We should celebrate our differences! Don’t follow the crowd: be creative - dare to be different. Despite what people might say, they often respect and admire ‘individuals’. Speak your mind clearly but without causing unnecessary offence. We are not responsible for people’s reactions to our opinions, but we are responsible for how we convey our thoughts. Be diplomatic but steadfast.
4. Treat others respect:
When you treat people nicely they usually reciprocate; otherwise, they are probably best avoided. Treat people in the way you would like to be treated (always asking permission regarding anything kinky!), and do your best to make people feel good about themselves. Everyone has the right to an opinion - do not try to force your views on others. Consider your neighbours (locally and globally) and try to live your life without disrupting the lives of others or causing anyone harm.
5. Enjoy the pleasures of the without guilt:
The body is a wonderful gift, and it should be enjoyed without any negative feelings, whether they were brought about by what a parent once said, what the church caused you to believe when you were young, or because of negative self-body-image. Our bodies do not need to experience an orgasm in order to cause a pregnancy, and we do not require a partner in order to orgasm. Sex, therefore, is not just about making babies; it is about being close to someone, and releasing stress, and generating hormonal changes that help keep the mind happy and the body healthy. Safe sex should be enjoyed as frequently as possible. Do not allow anyone to tell you any different!
6. Find a job you love:
You will probably be happier doing a job you love for less money than one you hate that pays far more. And there is a job out there that you would love – you just may not have considered or even heard of it. We spend most of our adult lives at work; it is crazy to choose a job that you do not genuinely bounce out of bed feeling happy to do. Be inventive; consider working for yourself, or retraining in an entirely different field. The world is a far smaller place than it was a decade or two ago, and the Internet has created many interesting opportunities. Don’t settle for something that makes you miserable. You deserve better than that.
7. Forgive yourself when you make a mistake:
We all make mistakes or, even worse, knowingly do something ‘wrong’ or 'bad,’ that makes us feel terrible. Some people do truly terrible things, but the vast majority do not. Psychological research has shown that we are far more critical of ourselves than other people are, and that we expect to be judged far more harshly than we would judge others in the same position. Let yourself off. Start afresh and give yourself a break; to have recognised you did something wrong means that you have a moral compass and that your conscience is working just fine. Applaud yourself - there are many people who wouldn't have noticed...
8. Take everything you hear and read with a pinch of salt:
Remember that most newspapers and television broadcasters are not independent, and that people have their own motivations for saying/writing things. These may be political, financial, or sentimental, but they are usually not worth getting excited about. Whilst we should try to be aware of events going on in the world around us, and play whatever part we can in making the world a better place, it is foolish to allow negative news and gossip to affect our daily lives. The media feeds us stories to provoke reactions, and politicians say whatever they must to gains votes, money, power, etc.
