Life is full of challenges, but there are ways you can lighten the burden and control some of the outcomes.
Shunmu is submissive“, A Zen Buddhist monk devotes an entire section of his book, “How to let things goHow to avoid making things more difficult for yourself.
Here are his four tips for using your energy wisely and making life a little easier.
4 ways to make your life less difficult
1. Think positively as much as possible
It can be hard to look on the bright side of things when you're faced with challenges and setbacks, but “Will spending too much time worrying help you?” Masuno wrote. “It won't happen.”
Often times, the best thing you can do in difficult situations is to think as positively as possible so you can look for the best solution or next course of action. Humans are naturally inclined toward pessimism, so you have to be intentional by reminding yourself that even the toughest times come to an end, Masuno noted.
“The more you can look on the bright side, the less anxious you will feel and the better things will go,” he wrote.
2. Be confident in your decisions
While it can be helpful and important to be open to other people's opinions, you should avoid giving too much weight to what others say, Masuno said.
“All these opinions may confuse you and make you overthink things to the point where you can't decide what to do,” he wrote. “To avoid this, you must first know your mind.”
Keep in mind that you are the hero in your own life, and any decision you make should be one you feel comfortable and confident in.
3. Remember that successes and failures are already in the past
When it comes to your career, there will be a mixture of huge accomplishments, low moments, and everything in between. It's important to remember that work is a “living thing,” Massono said.
“Everything – from the time to the circumstances to the people involved – varies from moment to moment,” he added.
That's why you need to remind yourself that “successes and failures are already in the past.” Change is the only constant. He said that if you only look to your past successes for guidance, you could miss future opportunities that could lead to greater success.
4. Know when to walk away from fights
Our society is hypercompetitive, and victory is a desire of almost everyone, Masuno said.
“But there are times when it is better to get out of the ring,” he said. It's good to have goals and strive to achieve them, but don't get too attached to the outcome.
When you encounter situations in which you feel slighted — such as someone else getting a promotion instead of you — don't exaggerate how unfair it is. “Dedicate your fighting spirit to improving your abilities so that you can be on equal footing with your competitors,” Masuno wrote.
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