I do so politely, and with genuine intent.
The worst that can happen, is getting a NO. But the reality is that I get a YES way more than I expect. This is how I got someone to gift me their $2000 bike, by the way! And we’re still great friends.

When I leave my house, I debate whether I should bring along that extra item with me or not.
- EVERY TIME I leave it home, it turned out to be essential.
- EVERY TIME I bring it, it turned out to be absolutely useless.

So when in doubt, I overpack.

Before I talk, I listen attentively. I’m usually intrigued when someone tells me a story, rather than surprised or puzzled. I show interest, because I care.

One day, someone told me: ”Whoever you meet has the power to change your life.”

And I still live by that quote.

Reading, working out, listening to podcasts, volunteering, whatever it is. I give priority to me.

And this may seem egoistic. But it’s actually the most altruistic thing I do.

Because that way, I give others my real, best, unfiltered self.

Over the course of the years, I kept a Google Sheet of people I connected with. (email, phone number, etc.)

I am 100000% sure I would have lost contact with AT LEAST 1/2 of people in that list, hadn’t I kept it in my Drive.

It costs nothing and can go a long way!

Think about it.

During your day, you’ll do so many things. But how many of those are directed solely to yourself?

Early in the morning, I can spend time with, for and by myself. And it’s necessary to give to others during the day.

Smiling has helped me in so many ways.

Just a smile can mean light in someone else’s days, but it also means others will open up to you more easily. It costs nothing, and can go a long way.

Seriously, just smile. It’s that simple.
And remember the quote?

“Anyone you meet, can change your life.”

You know that uncomfortable silence in the elevator with a stranger?

I always break it.

A few relationships with people in my circle were born out of uncomfortable silence.

There’s a good chance people are waiting for you to talk. And if not, well, what can go wrong?

Because we HAVE to give back!

Just the fact that you are reading this - on your fancy iPhone (myself included) or laptop, means you are privileged.

Some are not. And if I can, I try to make a difference in their life.

Podcasts.

They provide me with so much inspiration and creativity and create room for knowledge and space to reflect. Here are some shows I am listening to now:
- People I (Mostly) Admire
- Hubermann Lab
- Freakonomics
- On Purpose

Something happened to me recently on a train on my way back home from NYC. I talk about it here.

But essentially, when people go too hard on me, I try not to take it personally (doesn’t work all the time). Instead, I force myself to think that they might not be having their best day ever.

And that’s actually what their attitude hides, 99% of the time.

Because we can’t always control whatever life throws at us.

Right? I mean change happens. All the time. Every day, we change.

There are times when we go through life-altering changes. But that’s an opportunity to reinvest ourselves.

We need to allow ourselves to change.