When you were young, you were told to clean your room, do your homework, and eat what’s on your plate. (Nag, nag, nag.) But as you got older, you stopped receiving reminders on how to behave properly because the onus now fell on you. That’s called being an adult. How’s that going? This post serves as a reminder of how much your mindset affects your life — and the lives of those around you.

25 Reasons Why You Should Talk to Yourself

Do your habits serve as a positive tailwind or a damaging headwind? How many of these precepts do you follow every day? If no one’s around to tell you what matters, maybe it’s time to talk to yourself.

Value relationships. Invest in relationships to avoid time repairing them.

Up your game. Don’t wait for someone to complain to address your shortcomings.

Keep your word. When you make a promise, you’re not giving your word in erasable pencil, you’re inscribing your commitment in indelible ink.

Be accountable. Accept responsibility for your behavior. If you make a mistake, learn from it and move on.

Be self-reliant. Before asking of others, do for yourself. It’s your life to live. Own it.

Make relationships win-win. Winning doesn’t have to be at someone’s expense. Instead, identify areas where everyone benefits. That’s a win-win strategy.

Do your best. Take pride in what you do. You don’t have to be the best, but you should always try your best.

Get the job done. Stop thinking of tasks as check-off items. Do things right the first time so you don’t have to do them again.

Be courteous. It takes no effort to say “good morning,” “please,” and “thank you.” Make it a habit.

Give without being asked. Step up to the plate before someone makes a request of you. Surprise them with your kindness.

Build long-term relationships. Invest in relationships. Prepare to concede short-term wins to secure long-term gains.

Be even-handed. Don’t ask for more than you deserve. Greed can be the unwillingness to give OR the willingness to take.

Don’t keep score. Give without expecting something in return.

Take care of your employees. Don’t wait for someone to quit to recognize how valuable they are.

Be tolerant. Be open to other people’s beliefs and values rather than just accepting of your own.

Be a good neighbor. Offer help to someone in need. Don’t wait for them to ask.

Show some humility. Be humble. Your ego should never equal more than one-half of your accomplishments.

Be a team player. Be prepared to make personal sacrifices for the good of the team.

Speak out. Wrongs committed by enough people become the norm.

Be a responsible parent. If you don’t pass your values on to your kids, someone else will.

Be grateful. Stop taking things for granted. Appreciate all the wonderful things in your life.

Show some manners. You’re not alone on this planet. Hold the door open, give up your seat, cover your mouth when you cough, and put away your phone. Thank you!

Wait your turn. Don’t jump to the front of the line.

Keep the fire burning. Never stop courting your spouse.

Be a good role model. Don’t judge others’ behavior; examine your own.

Reminder — Talk to Yourself Every Day

You shouldn’t have to be told to be an honorable person, to hold yourself to a high standard, and to treat others with decency and respect. These deeds should come instinctively. But if you need a reminder to live your life this way, maybe it’s time to talk to yourself. On the other hand, if you’re waiting for someone to open your eyes, consider this a friendly reminder.

Do You Need a Reminder?

Please leave a comment and tell us what you think or share it with someone who can benefit from the information.

Additional Reading:
You May Regret Not Reading This
The Facts of Life — Grown-Up Version
9 Powerful Reasons Why Your Moral Character Matters
What Do Your Habits Say About You?
Do You Listen to Your Conscience?
Do You Take It For Granted?
Critical Lessons that They Fail to Teach You In School

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