When I wrote Essential Habits, I was writing a book that I wanted to read. I love reading non-fiction books, but I would end up reading 200-300 pages of content and would come away with one great idea. Some of the books I read would have repetitive lessons OR lessons they would repeat from similar books that I have already read. I wanted to boil the book into what Derek Sivers calls a directive - a short piece of advice that tells you what to do - and that's what Essential Habits is made up of. It's a book of short pieces of advice that tell you what to do. Here are the top 15 short pieces of advice that will help you lead a healthier, wealthier and wiser life.
Healthy
Upon waking up, practice SAVERS: silence, affirmation, visualization, exercise, reading, scribing (from The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod)
Avoid coffee and smartphones as long as you upon waking up, and at least 3 hours before going to bed (from The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma)
If you can, get outside and get light. Or better yet, ground yourself by walking barefoot outside. (Tim Ferriss)
Practice the second wind exercise (a light exercise: yoga, stretching, a walk) in the afternoon to get additional benefits of exercising. (from The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma)
Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body (Jim Kwik)
Wealthy
Wait 30 hours before making any purchases over $30 (The Essentialist podcast)
Index funds are a great way to passively invest your money and get solid returns. (Unshakeable by Tony Robbins)
Pay yourself first (i.e., invest your money before you spend it; don't spend your money and invest what's remaining) (The Wealthy Barber by Dave Chilton)
There are three key skills to becoming wealthy: making money, saving money and investing money (James Altucher). If you are missing one skill, you reduce your chances of becoming wealthy.
The average millionaire has seven sources of income. A job (i.e., one source of income) isn't safe anymore.
Wise
Keep a decision journal that tracks your decisions. Separate the results of a decision from the decision. A good outcome does not mean you made a good decision.
Journaling can help clarify feelings, think through problems, and calm your monkey mind.
Meditating (doing nothing) is one of the most counterintuitive things to help your productivity.
Always consider the long-term impact of the decision you make.
Ask for feedback. Don't take it to heart. Listen and adjust.