A good life doesn’t happen by chance, it is built through intention, discipline and alignment with your own core values. The principles below are the foundations I live by each day to cultivate purpose, health and fulfilment.
Your Why 🧭
Define your purpose as your guiding reason for everything you do.
A strong why fuels discipline, resilience and clarity. Whether it is your career, relationships or personal growth, knowing your why allows you to make intentional decisions.
- Regularly reflect on what drives you by asking yourself:
- Write down your long-term vision and place it somewhere you constantly see it
- Align your daily actions with your deeper purpose
‘what is the bigger picture’
Relationships 🤝
Prioritise meaningful connections. A few strong, genuine relationships are far more valuable than many superficial ones. Choose your circle of friends wisely as you are a sum of who you surround yourself with.
- Surround yourself with people who uplift and challenge you
- Invest in relationships that align with your values and future
- Let go of energy vampires who sap your motivation, spout negativity and discourage growth
Mindfulness 🧘♂️
Happiness isn’t in the past or future, it is in your ability to be fully present in the now. Mindfulness is not just meditation, it is about how you experience life. Remember the quality of your life depends on where you put your attention to.
- Be fully engaged in conversations
- Avoid distractions when working or spending time with loved ones
- Journal and meditate whenever you have the chance
Exercise 🏋️♂️
Train for longevity and function not for aesthetics and accolades. Think about the life you want to live in the marginal decade. Combine both strength and cardiovascular training to optimise your overall health.
- Zone 2 cardio builds endurance, improves cardiovascular health, and enhances the quality of your life. Activities include brisk walking, cycling and jogging at a moderate intensity
- Resistance training preserves muscle mass so aim to train in this domain at least 3 or 4 times a week
- Mobility and flexibility involves daily stretching or yoga to maintain movement quality and prevent stiffness
Diet 🥗
Don’t choose diets, choose food. Every year there is a new diet, we are currently in the carnivore phase. Don’t overcomplicate things, eat items that your grandparents would be able to recognise.
- Prioritise protein for muscle maintenance, healthy fats for brain function, and fibre for digestion. 1 pound per kg of body weight/
- Eat food. Mostly plants. Not too much. Stick by these wise words from Michael Pollan
- Try and get some fermented foods as these contain probiotics which has been shown to be good for your overall gut health
Sleep 🛌
Last but most importantly sleep, set yourself a non-negotiable of at least 7 hours every night.
Sleep impacts cognition, metabolism, immunity, and emotional resilience. It lays the foundation for all the other principles
- Maintain a consistent sleep schedule even on weekends
- 3-2-1 rule. 3 hours before bed no food. 2 hours before bed no fluids. 1 hour before bed no blue light screens
- Create a wind down routine which may include reading, journaling to help send a signal to your body that is time to go to bed
You can easily remember these principles with the mnemonic YR MEDS.
A fitting reminder that just like medicine sustains health, these foundations sustain a good life:
Your Why 🧭 Relationships 🤝 Mindfulness 🧘♂️ Exercise 🏋️♂️ Diet 🥗 Sleep 🛌
Living well should not be complicated. It is about consistency in the things that truly matter. 🫡