Be careful what you become good at. You can become excellent at worrying, complaining, pleasing people, avoiding discomfort and staying busy. Practice courage instead. Practice honesty. Practice gratitude. A life is shaped by whatever you repeat often enough to become automatic.

Learn to leave sooner. Leave the job that is hollowing you out. Leave the friendship that has become contempt. Leave the room where you are repeatedly diminished. Loyalty is admirable, but there is no virtue in staying where your spirit is slowly disappearing.

Be careful what you postpone until “someday.” Someday is a useful word for avoiding fear while pretending to have a plan. If something matters, give it a date, a first step, a place in your actual life. Dreams do not become real because they are cherished; they become real because they are scheduled.