After moving to Los Angeles at the age of 19 to chase my dreams, I experienced a whirlwind of emotions over the next decade. It was an era marked by extreme highs and lows, filled with thrilling moments juxtaposed against chaos and immense stress. Reflecting on my journey, I realize that there were numerous straightforward habits that could have significantly eased my challenges. As a result, I've compiled a list of 10 Habits I Wish I’d Started 10 Years Ago—with the hope they can help others avoid the pitfalls I encountered.
One of the first changes I made was to improve my diet. I found that nourishing my body with wholesome foods made a noticeable difference in how I felt. Previously, I struggled with my weight, but after losing around 50 to 60 pounds last year, I realized the importance of balanced meals. Now, I emphasize a diet filled with reasonable amounts of fats, carbs, and proteins. A meal that I enjoy making often is a recipe I jokingly refer to as "Slop"—ground turkey with air-fried sweet potatoes. Eating well may seem daunting, but it can be as simple as putting in a little effort each day.
This habit revolves around maintaining a positive outlook. It’s far too easy to criticize what we encounter, particularly in today’s age dominated by social media. Instead, I propose approaching new experiences with the mindset of assuming you’ll like them. This shift in perspective can lead to discovering joy where you previously might have been prone to cynicism. It’s a call to embrace life more openly and to appreciate what comes our way.
Time management is crucial, and punctuality is a fundamental aspect of professionalism and respect. I learned this lesson the hard way during an audition for an NBC pilot, where my tardiness resulted in dire consequences. Arriving an hour late to the first table read left a poor impression on the cast and crew, leading to missed opportunities. Timeliness speaks volumes, and it’s a habit I wish I had prioritized earlier.
Procrastination can snowball into overwhelming stress when easy tasks pile up. I learned from past experiences to tackle minor responsibilities immediately—such as paying bills or replying to emails—before they escalate into larger issues. Keeping lists or using time management techniques like the Pomodoro Technique can help maintain organization and reduce stress.
5. Invest in Base Model Cars
Nostalgically, I wish I had purchased base model European cars years ago when they were significantly cheaper. While this suggestion may not resonate with everyone, understanding the value of good investments—be it in cars or other assets—could save you a lot of money in the long run.
In this digital age, privacy is often overlooked. I learned the importance of safeguarding personal information from data brokers who gather and sell our data. Services like InCogni can help you manage and protect your data, giving you peace of mind against unsolicited contacts or even identity theft.
7. Be Clean
A clean environment greatly influences mental clarity and confidence. I’ve recognized that cleanliness—whether regarding personal hygiene, clothing, or living spaces—can significantly impact my life. Taking control of small areas, such as keeping things tidy, can elevate your mood and enhance feelings of well-being.
Reading is a fantastic and cost-free way to enrich one’s mind. It nurtures cognitive engagement and improves vocabulary, while simultaneously providing entertainment. I’m excited to share this journey with others and am considering starting a book club to foster discussions around interesting reads.
9. Learn How Things Work
Gaining knowledge about everyday systems—how cars function, how taxes work, or basic life hacks—can empower you and add to your skill set. My past focus on niche interests, like comedy and cars, left holes in my general knowledge base that I now wish to fill.
Regular physical activity is immensely beneficial for both mental and physical health. I deeply regret not starting a running routine earlier. Even a modest amount of daily movement can enhance overall well-being. It’s essential to find what works for you and maintain a consistent practice for optimal health.
Embrace Discomfort
Finally, the most important lesson I’ve learned is the value of being okay with discomfort. Life comes with its challenges; accepting discomfort instead of running from it has improved my resilience. Finding healthier ways to cope—like exercising or seeking long-term solutions—rather than succumbing to quick fixes has been transformative.
By sharing these lessons, I hope to spark motivation in others to adopt these habits, similar to how I wish I had years ago. Life is a learning journey, and it's never too late to cultivate good practices that will lead to a fuller, more fulfilling existence.
Part 1/9:
10 Habits I Wish I'd Started 10 Years Ago
After moving to Los Angeles at the age of 19 to chase my dreams, I experienced a whirlwind of emotions over the next decade. It was an era marked by extreme highs and lows, filled with thrilling moments juxtaposed against chaos and immense stress. Reflecting on my journey, I realize that there were numerous straightforward habits that could have significantly eased my challenges. As a result, I've compiled a list of 10 Habits I Wish I’d Started 10 Years Ago—with the hope they can help others avoid the pitfalls I encountered.
1. Don’t Eat Like Shit
Part 2/9:
One of the first changes I made was to improve my diet. I found that nourishing my body with wholesome foods made a noticeable difference in how I felt. Previously, I struggled with my weight, but after losing around 50 to 60 pounds last year, I realized the importance of balanced meals. Now, I emphasize a diet filled with reasonable amounts of fats, carbs, and proteins. A meal that I enjoy making often is a recipe I jokingly refer to as "Slop"—ground turkey with air-fried sweet potatoes. Eating well may seem daunting, but it can be as simple as putting in a little effort each day.
2. Assume You Like Things
Part 3/9:
This habit revolves around maintaining a positive outlook. It’s far too easy to criticize what we encounter, particularly in today’s age dominated by social media. Instead, I propose approaching new experiences with the mindset of assuming you’ll like them. This shift in perspective can lead to discovering joy where you previously might have been prone to cynicism. It’s a call to embrace life more openly and to appreciate what comes our way.
3. Be on Time
Part 4/9:
Time management is crucial, and punctuality is a fundamental aspect of professionalism and respect. I learned this lesson the hard way during an audition for an NBC pilot, where my tardiness resulted in dire consequences. Arriving an hour late to the first table read left a poor impression on the cast and crew, leading to missed opportunities. Timeliness speaks volumes, and it’s a habit I wish I had prioritized earlier.
4. Do the Little Tasks Now
Part 5/9:
Procrastination can snowball into overwhelming stress when easy tasks pile up. I learned from past experiences to tackle minor responsibilities immediately—such as paying bills or replying to emails—before they escalate into larger issues. Keeping lists or using time management techniques like the Pomodoro Technique can help maintain organization and reduce stress.
5. Invest in Base Model Cars
Nostalgically, I wish I had purchased base model European cars years ago when they were significantly cheaper. While this suggestion may not resonate with everyone, understanding the value of good investments—be it in cars or other assets—could save you a lot of money in the long run.
6. Prioritize Data Privacy
Part 6/9:
In this digital age, privacy is often overlooked. I learned the importance of safeguarding personal information from data brokers who gather and sell our data. Services like InCogni can help you manage and protect your data, giving you peace of mind against unsolicited contacts or even identity theft.
7. Be Clean
A clean environment greatly influences mental clarity and confidence. I’ve recognized that cleanliness—whether regarding personal hygiene, clothing, or living spaces—can significantly impact my life. Taking control of small areas, such as keeping things tidy, can elevate your mood and enhance feelings of well-being.
8. Read Books
Part 7/9:
Reading is a fantastic and cost-free way to enrich one’s mind. It nurtures cognitive engagement and improves vocabulary, while simultaneously providing entertainment. I’m excited to share this journey with others and am considering starting a book club to foster discussions around interesting reads.
9. Learn How Things Work
Gaining knowledge about everyday systems—how cars function, how taxes work, or basic life hacks—can empower you and add to your skill set. My past focus on niche interests, like comedy and cars, left holes in my general knowledge base that I now wish to fill.
10. Move Around Every Day
Part 8/9:
Regular physical activity is immensely beneficial for both mental and physical health. I deeply regret not starting a running routine earlier. Even a modest amount of daily movement can enhance overall well-being. It’s essential to find what works for you and maintain a consistent practice for optimal health.
Embrace Discomfort
Finally, the most important lesson I’ve learned is the value of being okay with discomfort. Life comes with its challenges; accepting discomfort instead of running from it has improved my resilience. Finding healthier ways to cope—like exercising or seeking long-term solutions—rather than succumbing to quick fixes has been transformative.
Part 9/9:
By sharing these lessons, I hope to spark motivation in others to adopt these habits, similar to how I wish I had years ago. Life is a learning journey, and it's never too late to cultivate good practices that will lead to a fuller, more fulfilling existence.