It's almost impossible to read an article, open a book, visit a website, or hear an expert speak (who isn't an expert these days?) without being buried in well-intended and unsolicited advice. Advice that’s almost always intended for someone else. Make sense? Nope, I think not. The best kind of advice is almost always given to ourselves. Because you're the only one who knows what you really need. Of course, you’ve got to have an open mind and it takes some courage to do something with your own advice. That’s why we’d rather give advice to other people; it’s much better for our egos. But how can you advise others when you're not even capable of managing yourself? Would you take skiing lessons from someone who can't ski? Seriously. Just stop. Cut it out. Try listening for a change. You might actually hear something, make a connection, and earn more…. attention, respect, and money.

In order to back that up, I’d like to share a series of five articles featuring the 5² Life Hacks that I use as guidelines for myself. Isn't it comforting to know you don't have to take them personally? I’ve learned all 25 by trial and error, some by damage and disgrace. Anyway, this is the fourth of the series: 5 Life Hacks as a Spiritual Being. Wanna read it in Dutch? There you go. Cheers!

WHAT’S YOUR PURPOSE — Another one of these horribly tired subjects: why do you get out of bed in the morning a.k.a. what’s your purpose? I’m allergic to this hype because I've met so many people who suddenly discovered their purpose and then didn't do anything about it. Except talk about it. A lot. They didn’t really have execution as a strategy, if you know what I mean. Don’t be distracted by a search for purpose. What’s the core of what you do? Say it out loud. To finance the previously mentioned townhouse and your bi-annual trips to the campground? Or are you ready to ponder about the deeper meaning of what you are really worth? Wake up, buddy!

FUCK YOUR DNA — This doesn’t sound very spiritual, does it? Still I know plenty of people who have, in the spirit of their upbringing, stayed very close to their childhood surroundings. Their futures have been carefully planned so that the rest of their lives may proceed without surprises. You may not have realized this but, you can escape this fate, mate. It will mean you need to rigorously leave behind several of your parents’ beliefs which you hold so tightly. It’s incredibly liberating, I promise you that. But what’s so spiritual about all of this, you may be asking yourself? Well, personally I find it incredibly empowering to determine your own destiny, free from any chains. Just give it a try.

WHO WILL CRY WHEN YOU DIE? —  An old Sanskrit saying goes: “When you were born, you cried while the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a way that when you die, the world cries while you rejoice.” That’s a noble aim, don’t you think? It could very well be an extension of your purpose, but this one’s a little more focused on other people. Let’s quickly return to the salesperson that fails to make a connection: we’ve forgotten to call him back while he is still alive. The more you add to someone’s life, the more they’ll remember you. The additional effect is that it will hugely propel your business. For many of us, here’s a gem of a paradox: get out of your own way in order to book the best results. Not easy for all of us. So, how do you want to be remembered?

LIFE IS LIKE A BOX OF CHOCOLATES — Stoicism is a philosophy from the third century BC and is based on the teachings of the Greek, Zeno of Citium. Well known followers of stoicism from that time include Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius. Stoicism operates on the principle that life is unpredictable; but we can absolutely determine the way we respond to situations. Logic comes before emotion. Emotions are like alcohol: they destroy more than you want them to. If you can remain cool, calm, and collected when having a setback, you’ll be more alert and better equipped to make the right choices. This goes for when you’re having successes too, by the way. Ask a world class athlete. Intense emotions end in a red card. Game over.

THE POWER OF NOW — A recurring trait among world class athletes is that they are very good at focusing on the task at hand. Be in the moment. If they focus on winning the game, they’re putting themselves into the future. If they don’t quickly recover from a mistake, they’re stuck in the past. Do you see the parallels with a salesperson? Being in the now allows you to gather your wits for what is happening at that very moment. That means you’re focused. Fear and worry are products of the past and the future. That’s your mind warning you about things that aren’t happening now and probably never. And you’ll be the last to let that happen, right? Not to mention that you’ll be doing it to yourself.