Life can suddenly become busy and stressful. And in today’s world, our stress levels are higher than ever. But many people actually make their lives much more difficult than they need to be, without realizing it. My name is Freeman and I am an international life coach who has gone from survival to prosperity through simple but effective changes. Now I help others do the same. So how do you know if you’re making your life more difficult than it needs to be? Here are some simple signs that can help you understand yourself, as well as lead to more self-awareness and positive change.
Sign 1. Your life is driven by external factors
Our modern world makes money by getting our attention. The “ping, ding, and ring”… We are surrounded by notifications and information sent straight to the phone in our pockets. This global addiction is something we know is damaging to our mental well-being, which is why it’s critical to be consciously aware of technology. I’m not saying put your phone in a lake, but bring careful balance to our use (because we all love a good scroll sometimes) and make sure you’re also making room for interpersonal connections.
Sign 2: You neglect to take care of yourself
In our fast-paced societies, hard work is seen as rewarding. Which leads many people to overwork themselves and often burn out. I used to live an all-hours lifestyle, working all day and DJing all night, until one day my body started to break down. But you don’t have to wait for the wake-up call. Incorporating self-care can break the pattern of busyness, whether it’s regular 5-minute meditations, pampering yourself with a warm bath, or prioritizing sleep. Investing in yourself first will make your life easier and more enjoyable in the long run.
Sign 3: You’re running away from authenticity
We are constantly told that we should live in certain ways. Whether that’s working harder, earning more money, or getting married. Following other people’s definition of success often sacrifices the dreams you really want to achieve in life. And often people ignore their true calling to live a life that is more “realistic”. As Einstein said, “The person who follows the crowd usually does not go further than the crowd. The person who walks alone is likely to find himself in places that no one has seen before.’ Living an authentic life only leaves you unfulfilled and a secret stress creator. I too was stuck in this trap until I stepped out of my comfort zone to experience solo travel and began my journey to live a life of potential and purpose. You deserve to live authentically. Start by asking yourself, what is it that truly brings me joy?
Sign 4: You try to avoid failures
Failure is something that our cultures regularly demonize. But the truth is that with every success, there are many failures. Even Thomas Edision failed a thousand times before inventing the light bulb. When we understand that failure is just a healthy part of life, we play harder. We become grateful for the valuable lessons that come along our journey.
Sign 5: You don’t think you’re capable of great things
This can be a tough pill to swallow. Life is not difficult because life itself is really difficult, but because we choose to believe that life is difficult, consciously or subconsciously. This means that you are the creator of your reality. whether you believe that life happens “to you” or that life happens “for you”, is your choice. Start making powerful changes by reflecting on your strengths. Build your self-esteem by celebrating your victories. Believe that there is limitless potential to be realized within you.
If you find yourself living in survival mode, it’s time to stop. It doesn’t have to be that way. There is always a better way to transform your life. If you feel stuck and want support to change, check out my book Travel to Transform.
Freeman Fung (he/she) is an international author, speaker and certified life coach who has championed the New Global Citizenship at TEDx, Mindvalley, World Tourism Forums and more. Originally from Hong Kong, he left home alone at the age of 19 to live in Romania for a Global Village project and then embarked on a journey to travel and experience life in over 35 countries (and continues to counts). He is on a mission to awaken more citizens of the world, raise our global consciousness and make the world a better place through personal transformations.
Erin shows overscheduled, overworked women how to do less to achieve more. Traditional productivity books — written by men — barely touch the tangle of cultural pressures women feel when faced with a to-do list. How to do Sh*t it’ll teach you how to zero in on the three areas of your life you want to excel in, and then show you how to offload, outsource, or just stop giving a damn about the rest.
