6 things you should never do as a leader

6 things you should never do

Let me get straight to the point. Don’t base your success and happiness on other people’s definitions and expectations. 

It’s simple. You cannot base your definition of success and happiness on the opinions and expectations of others.

For some, happiness is freedom, travel, and friendship – for others, the size of your bank account balance and the brand of your car. What is happiness for you? But really, what is it? Are you really happy, or are you pretending? Are you trying to reach happiness, or are you just deluding yourself?

Don’t compare yourself to others

Mark Twain used to say that comparison kills joy. Comparing yourself to others takes away happiness. You can spend your whole life caring about what others have and how you stack up. It is pointless – we all had a different start in life. Some start their lives with a home and car bought by their parents and shares in a company, and others must fight for everything. You can only be compared to yourself. For comparison you need a common denominator – otherwise, there is no point.

Don’t worry about what others think about you. 

Don’t take things too personally, even when they seem directed at you.

Others very rarely do something because of you – they usually do everything because of themselves. The “what’s in it for me” phrase is, will and has ruled the world. People care mostly about themselves, and not about you.

It is difficult to change the way others treat you and what they say about you. What is easier to change is how you react to it, and, if necessary, your surroundings.

Don’t work solely for the paycheck

A job you don’t like sooner or later becomes torture. Even if you are not very engaged in your job, you should at least find it a bit interesting. When your lifestyle is centered around a job that brings you daily suffering, and where the only motivation is the ability to pay your bills, you will spend your whole life dreaming of being someone else.

Don’t spend all your time working

Each day, try to assign at least some time to “not doing anything in particular.” Spend some time each day to rest, which will allow you to evaluate your day and recharge your batteries. Don’t lie to yourself – you’re not too busy to allow yourself a couple of minutes of healthy relaxation.

Don’t focus on what you don’t have, focus on what you do.

The desire to own what you don’t have can ruin your life. Not always will you get what you expect from life? Others might be praying for what you take for granted – a partner, a child, a company, traveling abroad. Those who do not appreciate what they possess will never reach true happiness (rhyme not intended – it just happened).

The premise of “I will be happy when I buy/obtain XYZ” never works. There is always something new, a new goal.

Be brave enough to act according to your standards. Good luck!

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