25 Ways to Improve Your Life Right Now
By: Ryan Felman
25 Principles for Building a Stronger, More Resilient Life
The world is full of distractions, vices, and traps designed to keep you weak, dependent, and directionless. But if you commit to strengthening yourself—physically, mentally, and financially—you can carve out a life of purpose and freedom. These 25 principles will help you build a foundation for a better life.
1. Get in Shape
A strong body leads to a strong mind. Fitness boosts your confidence, enhances your capabilities, and changes how others perceive you. Get stronger, leaner, and more disciplined—your future self will thank you.
Lift weights to build strength and resilience.
Run or practice martial arts to develop endurance and mental toughness.
Prioritize sleep and recovery to maximize progress.
2. Save $1,000 for Emergencies
Financial stability starts with preparation. Avoid blowing money on materialistic nonsense or nights at the bar until you have an emergency fund. This will keep you from going into debt over minor setbacks.
Cut unnecessary expenses and redirect that money to savings.
Use a separate bank account for emergency funds.
Aim to grow this into a 3-6 month emergency fund over time.
3. Be Positive
Your mindset dictates your reality. Positivity attracts good people and opportunities. Train yourself to see solutions instead of problems, and you’ll notice your entire world shifting for the better.
Practice gratitude daily—list three things you're thankful for.
Reframe setbacks as learning opportunities.
Surround yourself with positive, driven individuals.
4. Choose Your Friends Wisely
You are the sum of the people you surround yourself with. Drop toxic people who drain your energy and encourage bad habits. Seek out those who challenge you, push you forward, and share meaningful goals.
Identify those who add value to your life and nurture those relationships.
Limit time with people who bring negativity or distraction.
Find a tribe that aligns with your values and goals.
5. Eat Real Food
Your diet is the fuel for your body and mind. Cut out processed garbage and prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods. Stick to what your ancestors ate—meat, fruits, vegetables, and natural fats. Your energy levels and health will improve drastically.
Focus on protein and healthy fats for sustained energy.
Eliminate seed oils, excessive sugar, and processed food.
Learn how to cook simple, nutritious meals.
6. Be Careful Who You Marry
Marriage is one of the most significant decisions you’ll make. Modern family court laws are stacked against men. Choose wisely, or risk losing years of your life and financial security to a bad decision.
Observe her character over time—actions speak louder than words.
Align on values before committing.
Have a legal and financial plan in place before marriage.
7. Start Writing
Writing clarifies your thoughts, helps you plan your future, and preserves your wisdom. Journaling, blogging, or simply jotting down ideas daily will transform your thinking and discipline.
Start a journal to track progress and reflections.
Write about what you learn and experience.
Use writing as a tool for self-improvement and planning.
8. Read Books Daily
Knowledge compounds. Stop wasting time on video games and social media, and invest in reading. It makes you more intelligent, well-rounded, and engaging. Read books that challenge your beliefs and expand your wisdom.
Commit to reading 10-20 pages a day.
Focus on books that improve your mindset, skills, and wisdom.
Keep a reading list and take notes for future reference.
9. Forge Meaningful Relationships
Life is better with a strong network of trustworthy allies. Surround yourself with men who offer constructive advice, wisdom, and support. Brotherhood matters.
Invest time in deep, meaningful conversations.
Help your friends grow and expect the same in return.
Build a network of like-minded individuals.
10. Keep Life Simple
Most people overcomplicate their lives. Cut out distractions, focus on what matters, and eliminate unnecessary commitments. A simple life is a powerful life.
Declutter your physical and digital spaces.
Focus on fewer, more meaningful goals.
Avoid drama and unnecessary commitments.
11. Set Meaningful Goals
Write down your long-term goals and break them into daily tasks. Without clear goals, you’ll drift through life aimlessly. Be intentional in everything you do.
Set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals.
Review and adjust your goals regularly.
Celebrate small wins to stay motivated.
12. Stop Watching the News
Mainstream media is designed to manipulate you and keep you in a state of fear. Instead of consuming negativity, use your time to create, build, and improve yourself.
Get news from multiple sources or focus on firsthand experience.
Limit time spent on news and social media.
Focus on things within your control.
13. Be Mindful of Time Wasters
Audit your time. If you’re wasting hours on video games, porn, mindless scrolling, or bars, cut back. These distractions drain your potential and delay your progress.
Track your time for a week and analyze where it's going.
Set limits on entertainment and social media.
Replace passive consumption with active creation.
14. Create a Life Mission
A man without a mission is lost. Define your purpose, write it down, and align your actions with it. Every decision you make should support your mission.
Identify what drives you and why.
Align your daily actions with your purpose.
Revisit and refine your mission as you grow.
15. Create a List of Daily Habits
Success is built on consistent action. The habits you build today shape the man you become tomorrow. Without structure, it's easy to drift through life without making progress. By writing down your daily habits and sticking to them, you create a roadmap for success.
Identify key habits that align with your mission (e.g., morning workouts, reading, writing, journaling).
Track your progress daily—use a planner, app, or notebook to hold yourself accountable.
Make them non-negotiable. Commit to your habits the same way you commit to eating and sleeping.
Adjust over time—your habits should evolve as you grow and your goals shift.
16. Craft a Library of Books of Advice
A man is shaped by the wisdom he consumes. Reading daily expands your knowledge, sharpens your mind, and provides valuable insight from history’s greatest thinkers.
Build a core library of timeless wisdom that you revisit regularly.
Read from multiple disciplines—philosophy, history, finance, leadership, and personal growth.
Take notes, highlight key passages, and reflect on how to apply the lessons to your own life.
Recommended books:
The Daily Drucker – Peter Drucker
The Daily Stoic – Ryan Holiday
Tao Te Ching – Lao Tzu
Meditations – Marcus Aurelius
The Way of Men – Jack Donovan
17. Go for Daily Walks
Walking isn’t just about physical exercise—it’s about clearing the mind, reflecting, and connecting with your surroundings. Henry David Thoreau famously walked for hours each day to maintain his health and spirits.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of walking daily, preferably outdoors.
Use this time for deep thinking, idea generation, or simply unwinding.
Walk without distractions—leave your phone in your pocket, or better yet, at home.
Let nature inspire you—observe, breathe deeply, and absorb the world around you.
18. Go Outside and Connect with Nature
We live in a world of artificial lights and screens, but true clarity comes from reconnecting with nature. Stepping outside, breathing fresh air, and witnessing the beauty of the world restores balance and perspective.
Spend time in nature at least once a week—hiking, camping, or even just sitting in a park.
Observe how nature operates—its resilience, patience, and strength offer lessons for life.
Use time in nature to meditate, reflect, or simply appreciate the beauty around you.
19. Journal
Journaling is one of the most effective ways to collect your thoughts, refine your ideas, and track your personal growth. It forces introspection and provides a record of your journey.
Write about your successes, failures, and lessons learned each day.
Use journaling as a tool to clear mental clutter and focus on what truly matters.
Revisit old entries to see how far you've come and identify patterns in your thoughts and behaviors.
20. Be Present in Everything You Do
Lao Tzu said, “If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.”
Focus on the moment—stop multitasking and give your full attention to what you’re doing.
When talking to others, listen actively instead of waiting for your turn to speak.
Avoid getting lost in regrets or worries—control what you can today.
21. Stop and Smell the Roses
The world is full of beauty, but too many people rush through life without appreciating it. Take the time to look up, observe, and enjoy the little things.
Make it a habit to watch the sunrise or sunset.
Gaze at the stars at night—Plato said, “Astronomy compels the soul to look upwards and leads us from this world to another.”
Slow down and appreciate the small joys of life.
22. Develop an Abundance Mentality
Scarcity breeds fear and desperation, while abundance breeds confidence and security. Train yourself to believe that opportunities are plentiful.
Let go of attachment to material possessions—they do not define you.
Recognize that failures and setbacks are temporary; new doors will always open.
Trust that you will always have what you need as long as you keep working toward your goals.
As Lao Tzu wrote, “Not to desire material things is to know the freedom of spirituality; and to desire them is to suffer the limitations of matter.”
23. Give Back to Your Community
True leadership isn’t just about personal success—it’s about uplifting those around you. Your impact on others will outlive anything you accomplish for yourself.
Mentor the younger generation—teach them discipline, skills, and wisdom.
Volunteer your time to improve your community.
Aristotle put it best: “The fate of empires depends on the education of the young.”
24. Forgive Others Who Wrong You
Holding onto grudges only poisons your own soul. Forgiveness doesn’t mean excusing bad behavior—it means freeing yourself from its hold over you.
Understand that people act based on their own limitations, not because of you.
Recognize that resentment is a waste of mental energy.
Marcus Aurelius advised, “Did someone do me wrong? That’s their problem – they harmed their own character, not mine.”
25. Change the World by Taking Action
Ideas without execution mean nothing. Many people talk about what should be done, but only a few actually do the work.
Develop a personal code of principles and live by them.
When faced with a choice, choose action over inaction.
Take responsibility for your own life and be an example for others to follow.
These 25 principles aren’t just ideas—they’re tools for crafting a strong, independent life. Apply them. Build yourself into the man you were meant to be. The world needs strong men now more than ever.
The world is full of distractions, vices, and traps designed to keep you weak, dependent, and directionless. But if you commit to strengthening yourself—physically, mentally, and financially—you can carve out a life of purpose and freedom. These 25 principles will help you build a foundation for a better life.