There is an enormous variety of podcasts out there that cater for any taste. It's amazing what you can learn from them.
Some of my biggest learnings have come from podcasts outside my normal area of interest.
One such podcast I recently listened to was about the four agreements you should have with yourself, to keep yourself accountable and live your best life.
The first one is about being impeccable with your word. Not only to others but also to yourself. Most people I know are pretty good at keeping promises to other people. No one has a perfect track record in this area, but the majority of people are diligent about this.
Keeping promises to yourself is another proposition entirely. I suspect a much larger percentage of people fall short in this area. I know I fit in this category.
Following through with your internal promises will make a huge difference to your life.
The dividends will be very large if you just quietly keep your own promises. No one else needs to know about them, but the most important person will - you. Doing this will make a huge difference to anyone's life.
Not taking things personally is the second component of the four agreements. The person who is judging you is coming from their own perspective, not yours. You don't have to agree.
If someone is upset with you, it's normally not about you. But as human beings it's hard not to take things personally. We all have an innate desire to be liked and it can be challenging emotionally if someone is having a go at you.
If you are able, it's a good idea to metaphorically step back from the conversation to see what is really going on. You may come to the realisation that it has very little to do with you. If this is the case, it will change your perception and your reaction.
The third aspect is not to make assumptions. Don't assume everything is about you, it's most likely mostly about the other person. Have the courage to ask questions to get a deeper understanding of what's really going on.
Too many people assume everyone thinks like they do. We are fortunate to live in a country where diverse opinions are OK and should be encouraged.
I know across the years I have changed my views on subjects after listening to someone's else's opinion.
The last component is to do your very best. This advice seems self evident, but a reminder every now and again is beneficial.
The rubber has to hit the road. This is where very clear planning and goals come into play. Once Jerry Seinfeld was asked for career advice, and he said " just do the work". Can't argue with that.
If you can get a handle on these four rules for life, everything will make more sense and things will flow more smoothly.
Being present and aware of what's going on around you will be well worth the effort. Life can be joyous and wonderful - everyone has a choice on how they view life.
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