15 Life-Changing Practices to Adopt in 2024

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Deep and sustainable transformation, the kind that sticks even after we are complete with a coaching program, can only occur through a commitment to regular practice — a fundamental principle of powerful coaching.

If we want to lead a more meaningful and fulfilling life, we must dedicate ourselves to one or more practices, just as we would if we were learning a new language, sport, or business skill.

However, we often confuse our habits with our personality.

We might say things like:

"I have a bad temper. That's just the way I am."

Or

"I'm a multitasker. I always operate that way."

Or

"I'm not good at making decisions. It's just who I am."

I propose that having a temper, frenzied multitasking, and difficulty making decisions are not inherent personality traits, but rather learned habits. I encourage you to take an honest look at the various traits that you are unhappy with and ask yourself whether it is possible to abandon these habits by practicing new ways of being in the world.

The key to purposeful action is the courage and commitment to practice.

Practices of Decision-Making and Commitment

1. Patience: Learn the difference between Active and Passive Patience to cultivate the highest level of effectiveness in your everyday life.

2. Holding Negative Emotions: Learn to hold space for challenging feelings so they get released quickly and with minimum effort.

3. Embracing Silence: Use silence to connect more deeply with yourself and others.

4. Making Decisions: Develop the skill of making thoughtful and timely choices so you don’t feel frozen or torn.

5. Making Commitments: Learn to honor your promises to yourself and others consistently.

Practices of Communication and Focus

6. Having Difficult Conversations: Tackle challenging discussions with skillfulness and vulnerability.

7. Completing Tasks: Learn to be a “Finisher”.

8. Focusing Deeply: Sharpen your concentration for more effective and meaningful work.

9. Holding Two Opposing Thoughts at Once: Embrace complexity and nuance to feel comfortable in all conversations.

10. Receiving: Learn to accept support, compliments, and constructive feedback gracefully.

Practices of Integrity and Self-awareness

11. Restraint: Learn how to give more to yourself and others by holding back.

12. Kind Honesty: Communicate truthfully without being hurtful or harsh.

13. Keeping Your Word: Get confident betting on yourself.

14. Non-justification: Resist the urge to justify every action; allow your choices to speak for themselves.

15. Gracious No: Learn to say no gracefully, allowing yourself and others to say yes when it matters.

If any of these practices resonate with you, I encourage you to explore my complimentary course, "The Life Vault," where I delve deeply into this subject. After that, feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the practices.