Today, let’s talk about one of the most important topics in life:
What is the best state of life for an average person?
We often see society’s definition of “success” as very narrow. It seems everyone must climb to the peak of their career, earn vast fortunes, and achieve fame to be considered successful. But honestly, this kind of “success” is very difficult, even potentially painful, for the average person.
So, as average people, how can we live a good life?
In my view, the best state isn’t about demanding excellence in everything, but rather achieving balance across six important dimensions of life.
These six dimensions are: Physical and Mental Health, Career Development and Work, Financial Situation, Interpersonal Relationships, Personal Growth and Learning, and Leisure and Recreation.
Next, let’s explore these six dimensions in detail, looking at how an average person can improve in these areas. More importantly, I’ll offer some concrete suggestions to help you integrate these ideas into your daily life.
🧘♀️ Physical and Mental Health: Life’s Foundation
Health is the foundation of life. If your physical and mental health isn’t good, it’s hard to enjoy everything else. For the average person, this doesn’t mean you need to become an athlete or a yoga master. Instead, cultivating some healthy habits in daily life is crucial.
To maintain a healthy body, here are a few areas to focus on:
Diet
- Add one serving of fruits or vegetables daily: For example, add an apple to your breakfast or have a side salad with lunch.
- Reduce sugary drinks: Replace sugary beverages with water or tea, gradually cutting down on sugar intake.
Exercise
- Start with brisk walking: Aim for 30 minutes of brisk walking daily, or use your commute or lunch break for walking.
- Exercise in short bursts: Do simple stretches during work breaks, or use an app to learn home workout routines.
Sleep
- Maintain a regular sleep schedule: Try to go to bed before 11 PM and ensure 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
- Relax before bed: Avoid electronic devices an hour before sleep; take a warm bath or listen to calming music to help you wind down.
Mental Health
- Practice meditation: Spend 5-10 minutes daily on meditation or deep breathing exercises to relax your mind and body and alleviate anxiety.
- Journal your emotions: Write in a diary to record your feelings, or talk to a trusted friend to process negative emotions promptly.
💼 Career Development and Work: A Stage for Your Talents
Our career is a significant part of our lives. For the average person, a successful career doesn’t mean you have to become a CEO. Instead, finding stable work and gradually developing based on your skills and interests is vital.
Explore Interests
- Interest List: List three career fields you’re interested in and try to understand the job content and prospects in these areas.
- Gain Career Experience: Try internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer activities to experience careers you’re interested in firsthand.
Skill Enhancement
- Annual Learning Plan: Create an annual plan to learn a practical skill related to your job, such as learning new software, mastering data analysis, or improving communication skills.
- Utilize Fragmented Time for Learning: Use commute times, lunch breaks, etc., to learn through online courses, learning apps, and other resources.
Networking
- Proactive Networking: Each month, proactively connect with a senior professional or peer in your industry for online or offline learning and ask for career development advice.
- Attend Industry Events: Actively participate in industry conferences, salons, and other events to expand your network and stay updated on industry trends.
💰 Financial Situation: Security and Freedom
Financial status ensures life’s security and freedom. For the average person, getting rich isn’t necessary; financial stability and reducing financial stress are more important.
Budget Management
- Use a Budgeting App: Use a budgeting app or spreadsheet to track your monthly income and expenses in detail, understanding where your money goes.
- Create a Budget Plan: Based on your tracking records, create a reasonable monthly budget plan to control unnecessary spending.
Debt Management
- Prioritize Paying Off High-Interest Debt: If you have credit card debt or high-interest loans, prioritize creating a repayment plan to reduce interest expenses.
- Avoid Excessive Spending: Be a rational consumer, avoiding unnecessary impulse buys and living beyond your means.
Savings Habits
- Automate Savings: When your salary arrives each month, automatically transfer a portion (e.g., 10%) into a savings account – small amounts add up.
- Set Savings Goals: Set short-term and long-term savings goals for yourself, such as an emergency fund, travel fund, or down payment for a house, to increase motivation.
Financial Literacy Basics
- Learn Financial Basics: Read introductory books or articles on personal finance to learn fundamental concepts and understand common financial products.
- Start with Small Investments: Based on your learning, try making small, conservative investments like bank wealth management products or money market funds to gain experience.
👨👩👧👦 Interpersonal Relationships: The Source of Love and Support
Humans are social creatures. Interpersonal relationships, especially with family, friends, and partners, are crucial for our happiness and well-being. For the average person, building and maintaining high-quality relationships is very important.
Family Relationships
- Family Day: Designate one day a week as family day to have dinner together, watch a movie, or do an outdoor activity, increasing family interaction.
- Holiday Greetings: Send blessings and greetings to family members on important holidays to express care and appreciation.
Friendships
- Regular Contact: Contact at least one friend proactively each month via phone, messaging app, or meeting up to stay in touch and share life updates.
- Friend Gatherings: Organize occasional get-togethers with friends for meals, chats, or shared hobbies to strengthen friendships.
Partner Relationship (If Applicable)
- Quality Time: Set aside dedicated time each day for quality communication and companionship with your partner, like taking a walk, chatting, or doing chores together.
- Express Affection: Regularly express love and gratitude to your partner, saying “thank you,” “I love you,” or preparing small surprises to enhance the relationship.
Community Involvement
- Participate in Community Activities: Actively join community-organized events like volunteer activities or local initiatives to meet more neighbors and integrate into the community.
- Neighborly Help: Proactively care for and help neighbors, building friendly relationships and fostering a harmonious community atmosphere.
📚 Personal Growth and Learning: Exploring Infinite Possibilities
Personal growth and learning make our lives meaningful and exciting. For the average person, this doesn’t mean you always need to earn new degrees. Instead, maintaining an interest in learning new things and exploring your potential is essential.
Broaden Your Knowledge
- Annual Reading Plan: Create an annual reading plan, reading different types of books like literature, history, science, psychology, etc., to broaden your knowledge and deepen your thinking.
- Follow Quality Content: Follow high-quality knowledge-based accounts, blogs, or video channels to learn new things during fragmented time.
Develop Hobbies
- Explore Interests: Try out different hobbies like painting, music, dance, photography, sports, etc., to find ones you are truly passionate about and can stick with.
- Join Interest Groups: Join clubs or communities related to your hobbies to connect with like-minded people, learn together, and grow.
Enhance Personal Skills
- Skills List: List the personal skills you want to improve, such as communication, time management, problem-solving, etc.
- Targeted Learning: Find relevant resources like books, courses, or workshops for the skills you want to enhance and engage in focused learning and practice.
Experience New Things
- Monthly New Experience: Try one new activity or experience each month, like visiting a new restaurant, seeing a new exhibition, or learning a new sport, to maintain a sense of freshness and curiosity about life.
- Step Out of Your Comfort Zone: Bravely try things that challenge you slightly, such as public speaking, entering a competition, or learning a completely new skill, to push your boundaries and expand your capabilities.
🏖️ Leisure and Recreation: Life’s Balancing Act
Leisure and recreation help us reduce stress and enjoy life. For the average person, this doesn’t mean you have to go on luxurious vacations. Instead, making time for leisure and fun in daily life is very important.
Personal Relaxation
- Schedule ‘Me Time’: Arrange at least 30 minutes of ‘Me Time’ daily – time completely for yourself where you can do anything that makes you feel relaxed and happy, like listening to music, reading, taking a bath, or simply doing nothing.
- Cultivate Relaxation Habits: Develop relaxing habits like listening to calming music before bed, taking warm baths, or practicing yoga or meditation to help unwind and relieve stress.
Hobbies and Fun
- Engage in Your Hobbies: List your favorite hobbies and ensure you dedicate at least 2 hours per week to them, whether it’s painting, singing, dancing, sports, gardening, etc.
- Participate in Hobby-Related Activities: Actively join activities related to your hobbies, like art classes, choirs, dance groups, or sports clubs, to interact with fellow enthusiasts and increase enjoyment.
Connect with Nature
- Walk in the Park: Go for a walk in a park or outdoors at least once a week to breathe fresh air and appreciate nature’s beauty.
- Weekend Outings: Plan short trips on weekends, like picnics, hiking, or camping, to relax and enjoy the natural scenery.
Social Leisure
- Get Together with Friends: Occasionally meet up with friends for meals, movies, chats, or shared recreational activities to strengthen friendships and relax.
- Family Outings: Plan family trips during holidays to travel or vacation together, creating wonderful family memories.
The above is the response I got when I asked an AI. The question was simple: “What is the best state of life for an ordinary person?”, and I asked for specific, actionable advice.
An average person’s life often makes it hard to excel in every area, and we frequently find ourselves struggling through difficulties.
Fortunately, the suggestions related to these six dimensions are gradual processes. Implementing them shouldn’t feel overly pressured; you can slowly persist and gradually build good habits.
If you can achieve balance across these six dimensions and integrate them into your daily life, perhaps that truly is the best state of life achievable.
If you have any questions or thoughts, please leave them in the comments section.