I’m not anti-many things. I do my best to live peacefully, to salute the gifts in others and to tread the earth with light footprints.
Yet I do believe there are a number of things that we—if we’re sincerely interested in a life of success and soulfulness—should fiercely resist. And protest.
Please allow me to share 6 of the primary ones:
1. Be Anti-Average. Who wants to follow the herd when it will only lead you off a cliff. Stand for higher standards than the crowd chooses. Abide by the wisest values (including honesty, courage, patience, understanding, mastery and kindness). Select activities that fuel your joy and accelerate your growth. Push work that is masterful. Exemplify possibility.
2. Be Anti-Superficial. What an era we inhabit! 10 second videos of people dancing are consumed by millions yet too many of the heroic books remain unread by most. Be a contrarian. Go deep versus really wide. Have rich conversations. Think interesting thoughts. Apply rigor and excellence and carefulness to all that you do. Be a heavyweight in a culture gone ultra-light.
3. Be Anti-Cynical. Dreams get done every day. Human beings have a gigantic capacity to accomplish the extraordinary. And each day carries with it a window into awe and wonder, if we choose to open it. So avoid the cynicism that too many good souls have allow led to cloud their sensibility to life’s wonderful beauty.
4. Be Anti-Injustice. Life’s too short to tolerate any form of mistreatment and disrespect in your orbit. If you see someone being hurt, step up. And definitely don’t allow anyone to dishonor the magic that is you. You are special and essential and important to the world. Own it.
5. Be Anti-Interruption. It’s become ever so easy to spent our limited days on earth in useless toil versus majestic flow. We are in a war: against distraction and trivial invasion. Turn off your devices for at least a few hours each day and for a full day each week. Work in quietude, on a big problem that will revolutionize the lives of those you serve. And live with greater silence, serenity and presence.
6. Be Anti-Fear. I want you—in 2023—to become superbrave. Beginning today, I wish that you’d start doing more of the things you fear. Each time you do, you take back the power that you gave to it. And grow more fearless. This is a practice. So the more you train on leaning into what terrifies you the better you’ll get at it.
7 Be Anti-Negativity. Life is too short to waste time on negative thoughts, people, and situations. Surround yourself with positivity and people who uplift you. Practice gratitude and focus on the good in your life. Don't let negative thoughts and feelings take over your mind and emotions, instead choose to let go of them and focus on the positive.
8 Be Anti-Complacency. Don't settle for mediocrity in any aspect of your life. Always strive for growth and improvement. Don't be content with the status quo, push yourself to reach new heights and achieve more than you ever thought possible.
9 Be Anti-Limitation. Don't let your past experiences, beliefs, or societal expectations limit you. Believe in yourself and your abilities, and don't let anyone or anything hold you back from pursuing your dreams and reaching your full potential.
10 Be Anti-Self-Doubt. Believe in yourself and your abilities. Don't let self-doubt hold you back from reaching your goals and achieving success. Recognize that failure is a part of the learning process, and use it as a stepping stone towards growth and improvement.
By embracing these anti-rules, you will set yourself up for a life of success, soulfulness, and fulfillment in 2023 and beyond. Remember, it's up to you to make it happen, so take action and make it your year.
This is your year! If you make it so.
Love and respect,
Mubashir Mk
