The ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi famously said “The great way is wide and vast, yet the people choose devious paths.” Even today, these words still ring true. We always know what we should do, but we rarely actually do it.
The purpose of this post is to help you keep your life on the straight and narrow, and avoid it spiraling out of control. The more you can keep it on track, the less likely you are to encounter crises, destroyed relationships, or even prison sentences.
So, what should you be doing?
Develop Strong And Wholesome Goals
The first step is to organize your life around some strong, wholesome goals. You want to ensure that you have a North Star – something you are working towards that keeps you out of trouble. This applies just as much to working-age people as it does to those in retirement.
Once you have a wholesome goal, is it more straightforward to arrange your life around it. You can work backward from the big thing you want, doing the small stuff every day that will bring you closer to your ultimate objectives.
Learn from Your Mistakes
Another pro tip for keeping your life on track is to learn from your mistakes. If you notice something isn’t working (and probably won’t in the future), don’t wait. Instead, change tracks as soon as you can.
Don’t fall for the fallacy of sunk costs which says that just because you’ve invested in something, leaving it will result in a greater loss. Instead, cut your losses and run, and don’t look back.
Develop Positive Habits
You also want to develop positive habits every day. Doing things that support growth in your life can make you considerably happier and healthier, and prevent you from falling on hard times or even criminality.
Good positive habits could include things like eating the right foods for your body and staying on top of your finances. The more you do, the more likely you are to get the outcomes you want. Luck is often where hard work and opportunity meet.
Build A Team
Another strategy for keeping your life on the straight and narrow is to build a team. You want people around you who can protect you when the going gets tough, especially if you’re the kind of person who is constantly pushing boundaries.
Start with the best criminal lawyer you can find. Get someone who will stand by your side if your enemies bring spurious cases against you.
Add an accountant. This professional can keep tabs on your money and ensure you pay the proper tax amount. You don’t want to wind up in a situation where you are overpaying.
Finally, you want a PR or marketing professional to help you if you are a public figure. They can monitor the internet for mentions of your name and step in if they think a conversation is getting out of control.
So, there you have it: some ways you can keep your life on the straight and narrow.
