Here’s 10 smaller changes which I think have a huge impact on your life.

1. Learn to say no without an excuse

If you don’t want to do something or go somewhere, say no without fear of how someone will take it.

The fear of a bad response from the other party has us making some pretty weird excuses to get out of stuff. It gets exhausting to make excuses.

2. Listen intently

When you’re talking to someone, just freakin’ listen.

Don’t take your phone out to check Instagram. Don’t look around as they’re talking to you. Focus on them.

When you catch your mind wandering around as they’re speaking, snap back to reality and try to focus.

Give them indications you’re listening by repeating back some of what they say through follow-up questions, for example.

People just want to be heard and form connections. It’s a basic human need. Help create it by listening. You’ll get your chance to speak.

3. Say hi to random people

It can lead to conversations, which can lead to dates or business opportunities. It can lead to nothing. But unless you talk to them, nothing’s going to happen.

Learn to say hi without any expectation of a conversation.

Some people are bitter crabs who will give you a really shitty response; don’t worry about them. They’re just being crabs. Maybe it’s the particular day you caught them.

Who knows. Move on.

4. Speak up for what you want

If you feel cheated, speak up. If you want something, no one’s going to know; they aren’t mind readers.

Trying to make it obvious what you want without actually saying it has a term: it’s called passive aggressive. No one likes a passive aggressive person.

Just say what you want and move on.

5. Make decisions

Yes or no. Left or right.

Nowhere does it say maybe. Nowhere does it say you start turning right only to swerve back and try turning left. If you do that in a car, you risk getting into an accident. Life acts the same. Choose a direction and go with it.

Also, not making a decision means you sit in your car and don’t move an inch. Again, life acts the same. Make a decision and then adjust as necessary.

6. Be honest

It’s the first agreement in Don Miguel Ruiz’s book “The Four Agreements”.

Be impeccable with your word.

If you fucked up, admit it to someone and do everything you can to make it right if you value their friendship or relationship.

If you say you’re going to do something, follow through with it.

If you say you’re not going to do something, then don’t do it.

We are a society of blame-shifters and wishy-washy “victims”. We can’t seem to handle being wrong. Guess what? You’re wrong all the time.

7. Don’t keep your phone on your nightstand

Your bedtime routine probably includes making the rounds on your phone’s apps; social media, email, and more.

It’s like the 21st century version of a bedtime story.

You probably wake up and grab your phone to turn off the alarm, only to get on the same apps.

I didn’t know it was kosher to wake up with a fresh comparison on how your life isn’t as good as what you see on Instagram. More than anything, you’ll get better sleep without the blue light searing your eyeballs late at night.

8. Establish a morning routine

It’s somehow taboo to be known as a person who enjoys routine.

But the most successful people out there are all about routine. It’s boring, but it works. If you want to be spontaneous and known as some adventure wanderlust, go for it. But don’t expect any wild success from it.

Then again, if it makes you happy…I can’t rip it.

But if you find yourself not so happy, try getting a morning routine; it’s the easiest part of the day to get into the habit of doing the same things on a daily basis.

9. Practice mindfulness

Meditation is the go-to defacto form of mindfulness.

If you have a hard time meditating, maybe try sitting still for just a few minutes, or do an activity such as writing in a journal where you reflect on the past day or the day ahead.

Get in your own head. There are demons and you should fight them. How? Confront them.

10. Give people credit where it’s due

If someone helped you, make it a point to say it.

If someone is wearing something you find cool, compliment them.

Give people credit for what they’re doing. You’d be surprised how much this can mean to someone, especially if they’re having a terrible day.