There’s a big difference between dreaming about your future and actively shaping it.
The difference lies in the action. Dreaming is great, but without concrete steps, it’s just a dream.
Taking small steps toward your goal, however, is the secret sauce to getting ahead of everyone else. And believe me, as a mindfulness practitioner and Buddhist enthusiast, I’ve learned that every little step counts.
That’s why I’ve put together a list of 8 simple things you can start doing right now to be ahead of everyone else in 10 years.
If you’re ready to take control of your future, let’s get started. After all, the journey to a successful future begins with a single step you take today.
1) Create a Mindful Morning Routine
We often underestimate the power of our mornings. The way we start our day can have a huge impact on the direction it takes.
In my years of studying mindfulness and Buddhism, I’ve found that a peaceful, intentional morning routine sets the tone for the rest of the day.
Imagine waking up, rushing to get ready, munching on breakfast, and rushing out the door. This frenetic energy will likely follow you throughout your day.
But what if you started your day differently? Imagine having a quiet morning, where you take some time for yourself. Maybe you meditate, read a few pages of an inspiring book, or do yoga.
It’s not about eating a fancy breakfast or working out for an hour. It’s about doing something small that nourishes your body and mind.
When you start your day with intention, you’re choosing to set the tone for the rest of your day. You’re making a deliberate choice to take control rather than letting external circumstances dictate your mood and actions.
Over time, these small morning rituals add up. They help shape your mindset and your attitude toward life. They enable you to be proactive rather than reactive—a key trait of those who are ahead in life.
It doesn’t have to be big or take a long time. It just needs to be conscious.
2) Practice daily gratitude
Gratitude is a powerful practice that most of us tend to ignore. But as a mindfulness practitioner, I can’t stress enough the transformative power it has.
Every day, amid our busy lives, we often forget to appreciate the little things. We focus so much on what we don’t have or what we want next that we forget to be thankful for what we do have.
So, let’s change that. Make it a habit to write down three things you’re grateful for at the end of each day. It could be something as simple as a good meal or a beautiful sunset.
As Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh wisely said, “A miracle is not walking on water. A miracle is walking on green earth, meditating deeply in the present moment, and feeling truly alive.”
This small act of acknowledging and appreciating the little things in life can shift your mindset from one of scarcity to one of abundance. In my experience, an abundance mindset is what defines successful people. They see opportunities where others see problems, and they are grateful instead of complaining.
Give it a try and see how this small act changes your perspective over time.
3) Embrace Impermanence
This may sound a bit harsh, but it’s a fundamental truth: nothing lasts forever. This is a fundamental principle in Buddhism, known as the concept of impermanence.
We often hold on to things, ideas, or people as if they will be here forever. We resist change and cling to stability. But the truth is that everything changes: relationships, jobs, health, and even ourselves are constantly evolving.
This can be difficult to understand and accept. But once you do, it frees you from the fear of loss or change. It allows you to live in the moment and appreciate what you have now instead of worrying about what you might lose in the future.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t plan or look forward to a better future. On the contrary, acknowledging impermanence can motivate you to take action toward your goals because you realize that opportunities won’t always be there.
Remember, the only thing constant in life is change. The sooner we accept this truth, the sooner we can live a more fulfilling and successful life.
This may seem like a harsh reality now, but trust me – it’s an empowering realization that puts you ahead of others who still cling to the illusion of permanence.
4) Develop mindful listening
Listening is a skill that is often underrated in our fast-paced, chatty world. We’re so keen to get our point across that we forget to listen to what others are saying. But let me be honest here, not listening is a missed opportunity.
Mindful listening is about being present in conversations, not just waiting for your turn to speak. It’s about giving your full attention to the speaker, observing their body language, and understanding their point of view rather than formulating your response.
Practicing mindfulness in communication can make a huge difference in your personal and professional relationships. It demonstrates respect, fosters understanding, and builds stronger bonds.
What’s more, mindful listening also opens up new avenues for learning. You’ll be surprised at what you can learn when you start actively listening to the people around you—their experiences, their knowledge, and their wisdom.
When you’re in a conversation, try this: Take a deep breath, clear your mind, and listen. It’s a small act that can lead to big changes in how you interact with the world.
5) Learn to Live with Less Ego
Now, this is close to my heart. I wrote an entire book about it—The Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How to Live with Maximum Impact and Less Ego.
Ego can be a tricky thing. It’s important to have self-esteem and confidence, but when ego takes over, it can lead to pride, arrogance, or even isolation.
The concept of “lower ego” is all about maintaining a healthy balance. It’s about the humility to admit that we don’t have all the answers and the openness to learning from others. It’s about being assertive without being aggressive, and confident without being arrogant.
Living with the lower ego doesn’t mean giving up your individuality or self-worth. On the contrary, it means embracing your true self without the need for external validation.
Incorporating this principle into your daily life may seem daunting, but trust me, it’s a game changer. Not only does it improve your relationships, but it also makes you more approachable and likable—traits that can contribute significantly to your long-term success.
And if you’re wondering how to do this, my book might be a good place to start. It delves into these concepts and offers practical tips for incorporating them into your daily life.
6) Practice Non-Attachment
This one sounds a bit paradoxical, especially in our materialistic, achievement-focused world. But hear me out.
Non-attachment is a core tenet of Buddhism. It’s not about giving up your worldly possessions or abstaining from relationships. It’s about not letting these things control your happiness or sense of self-worth.
Let’s be honest, we often associate our happiness with external factors—a promotion, a new car, or the approval of others. We think, “I’ll be happy when I get this job,” or “I’ll feel successful when I buy this house.” But what happens when we don’t achieve those things? Or once the initial euphoria wears off?
Practicing non-attachment encourages us to find happiness within ourselves rather than looking for it externally. It’s about enjoying and appreciating what we have without being consumed by the desire for more.
It’s a difficult practice, no doubt. But once you start embracing non-attachment, you’ll find a sense of peace and contentment that’s unaffected by external circumstances.
7) Embrace the Power of the Present
We often find ourselves lost in thoughts of the past or the future. Dwelling on regrets and worrying about upcoming tasks—sound familiar? But let me be completely honest here, this overthinking rarely leads to anything productive.
Instead, it robs us of the present moment—the only moment we truly have.
As world-renowned mindfulness expert Eckhart Tolle says, “Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the now the primary focus of your life.”
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t think about your past or plan for your future. But obsessing over it to the point that you forget to live in the present is a recipe for stress and dissatisfaction.
Make it a habit to check in with yourself regularly throughout the day. Are you fully present, or are you lost in past regrets or future fears? Bring your attention back to the present moment.
This is where life happens. This is where you can truly experience happiness, peace, and fulfillment. And ultimately, this is where you can make the most progress toward your goals.
8) Allow yourself to do nothing
This may seem counterintuitive, especially in a world that glorifies work and productivity. But sometimes, doing nothing can be the most productive thing you can do.
In our quest to stay ahead, we often fill our days with tasks, meetings, and chores. We’re always on the move, always doing something. But have you ever stopped and asked yourself – are we running towards our goals or are we simply running away from stillness?
Mindfulness teaches us the value of stillness. In these moments of “doing nothing,” we give our minds a much-needed break. Here we allow ourselves to simply be. To observe our thoughts without judgment, to reconnect with ourselves, and to recharge our mental batteries.
Schedule some time into your day to do nothing. It can be as simple as sitting quietly for 5 minutes or taking a leisurely walk without any purpose.
Productivity isn’t about doing things all the time, it’s about doing what matters. And sometimes, doing nothing can get you exactly where you need to be.
The bottom line
The key is consistency. It’s not about making huge changes overnight, it’s about incorporating these small habits into your daily life.
If you’re interested in diving deeper into some of these concepts, I invite you to check out my book, The Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How to Live with Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego. It’s a comprehensive guide that distills the profound wisdom of Buddhism into practical steps for modern life.
It’s the little things that make a big difference. Start today, and in 10 years, you’ll look back with pride at how far you’ve come.
