4 Uncommon Ways to Improve Your Life 🚀

What's up, Next Gen Fam!

Life is complicated. As the philosophers say: "No one knows what they're doing. Everyone is making it up as they go."

This week, we’re covering some uncommon pieces of advice to make life a little easier. If you enjoy it, please feel free to forward this along to friends.

Let's dive in!

TIPS

Create rules instead of habits.

“I have a rule. I don’t eat dessert.” With this concrete rule, you won't even entertain the thought of dessert. When the option comes, your mind will deny it reflexively. But if it was just a healthy eating habit, you might let yourself consider dessert (and slip eventually). Rules help you avoid those self-negotiations. Create them whenever you can.

Know what type of feedback they want.

Imagine your friend wrote an article and they’re asking you for feedback. If the article is an early draft, they might want real constructive advice. But if the article is finished, they're probably just looking for praise. So, when giving feedback, always ask “Is this complete?" The wording is important. More often than not, they just want praise!

Don't pay others for favors.

Let's say your neighbor needs help moving furniture. You help out and feel warm for doing a nice favor. But then the neighbor says, “thank you, here’s a dollar.” Now, you feel disrespected. He was just looking to hire anyone for $1?! The neighbor messed up by bringing money into a social transaction. Keep in mind that people like to do favors. Money complicates relationships, so don’t pay others for favors.

Embrace your opposite traits.

We all have conflicting personality traits. Instead of suppressing certain traits, embrace these opposites. Be fiercely competitive on the playing field but peacefully calm at home. Be stubborn while alone but open-minded with others. Have high ambitions (so you're successful) but low expectations (so you're happy). Never suppress your traits one way or another. Embrace your opposites.

QUESTION FOR YOU

What is a side of you that you tend to suppress?

OPPORTUNITIES

• 🕹 BuzzFeed, the popular media giant, is hiring for a Jr. Social Media Strategist.

• 🏀 Overtime, a leading brand for next generation sports fans, is hiring for a Social Producer.

• 🚀 HBCU Founders Initiative, a prestigious accelerator for early-stage HBCU founders, is now accepting applications until August 19th.

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