Are you leading your life or just surviving

Bear with me here for a second. You know when you're driving to an unfamiliar place, blasting music while simultaneously watching your GPS spit out directions?

Then you get to that one part of the route that's beyond confusing, so you lower the music even though that has absolutely no impact on the way you read the directions?

That is your life. That music you need to drown out to concentrate? That's the bullsh*t in your life.

Turning down the music in the car offers you clarity when you are at your most confusing moment. You don't really know how or why this makes such a huge difference, but it does.

Here are the 18 other ways to turn down the music to enhance your life:

1. CARING ABOUT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK

If you want to do something, then do it. Don't waste any of your valuable time entertaining other people's opinions on a situation. If there is something you want to do that makes you happy, then that is all that should matter to you.

People's views are irrelevant when it comes to your happiness. Unfortunately, too many people fail to realize this and end up with a life of regrets, instead of meaningful experiences.

2. OVERANALYZING SITUATIONS THAT HAVEN'T EVEN HAPPENED

It's human nature to stress about things that have yet to happen, but when you think about it rationally, what's the point? You can't predict the future, and you certainly can't change something that has not even happened yet.

Deal with the situation as it comes, and react accordingly. It's the only way to mold the experience to your benefit.

3. WORRYING ABOUT YOUR APPEARANCE TO THE POINT OF EXHAUSTION

I get it. You want to look your best. Honestly, in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter if you wear your hair curly or straight. There's no reason to try on every single outfit in your closet before going out.

Think about it: You bought these items for a reason... put something on, smile at yourself in the mirror and be on your way. You have better things to concern yourself with, or at least you should.

4. NOT LIVING IN THE MOMENT

This goes hand-in-hand with over-analyzing situations that have yet to happen, but this includes your past mistakes and situations that have already come and gone as well.

The only thing you can gain from the past are the lessons it taught you. No good can come from replaying situations you cannot hope to fix. Make peace with them and move on... because who you were then is definitely not who you are now.

5. TAKING ON OTHER PEOPLE'S PROBLEMS

There's a reason you put the oxygen mask on yourself before attempt to help others. You have your own issues and dilemmas that you must take care of before you can even think of helping someone else.

Sure, this may sound cynical and harsh, but, at the end of the day, you need to handle your life -- and if that means keeping others' negativity out of it, so be it.

6. SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO DON'T MAKE YOU HAPPY

Why people still hang around others out of obligation is utterly beyond me. Learn to accept that, sometimes, people from your past serve little to no role in your present. In actuality, they bring stress and drama into your life because you feel as if it is your responsibility to deal with their issues.

Their problems are their own, and as you grow up, this is something that becomes more and more apparent.

7. FOCUSING ON WHAT YOU DON'T HAVE INSTEAD OF WHAT YOU DO HAVE

Do you know how many people would be over the moon with their lives if they had what you had? I'm not talking about material things either -- although they do fit in this category.

Surrounding yourself with great friends who care about you and a family who loves you are two of the most amazing things to have in your life. So stop worrying if you have the latest trendy item and appreciate the intangible items all around you.

8. STAYING AT A JOB THAT YOU SEE NO FUTURE WITH

Of course, everyone, at one point or another, takes on a job just to pay the bills. But it's so important to remember that, in the long run, a paycheck isn't going to bring you the happy life a great career can.

Money will only take you so far, your lifestyle is what is going to lead you to true happiness.

9. TAKING ON MORE THAN YOU CAN HANDLE

Everyone has a breaking point, and this is a line you want to draw sooner than later. Don't take on too many tasks simultaneously because all you will do is drive yourself to the brink of insanity.

Multi-tasking, which may appear more efficient, often results in putting the minimum effort into multiple projects. Spreading yourself too thin rarely has favorable outcomes.

10. CLUTTERING YOUR LIFE

Whether this is physically or mentally, you need to cut the bullsh*t out of your life. Is someone bringing you unnecessary aggravation? Cut that person out. Are you living in a city that only makes you miserable? Make the change.

11. HOLDING ON TO GRUDGES AND ANGER

You know who suffers from holding on to anger? You do.

When people hold on to bitterness and grudges, they falsely believe that they are making the other person suffer. In reality, the object of your anger disregarded your feelings in the first place, and isn't losing sleep over your lingering distaste.

What makes you think this person is dwelling on the situation? Even if someone has not given you the apology you rightfully deserve, just let it go.

The sooner you stop caring, the better off you will be.

12. LIVING TOO MUCH IN YOUR PAST

Your past is... your past. It happened. Learn from it and let it be. There is nothing you can do to change it, so the sooner you accept it for what it was, the quicker you will be able to make peace with it.

Stop holding people to standards that you created in your mind years ago. Take people for who they are and what they have to offer now. You will be pleasantly surprised to see how much people can change and mature over the years.

13. COMPLAINING ABOUT THINGS THAT CAN'T BE CHANGED

You had a fight with a friend and said some things you wish you hadn't... stop complaining. You lost a promotion to a coworker who rightfully deserved it... stop complaining.

You didn't get asked on a second date... stop complaining.

An unfortunate truth in life is that some things just happen. You need to accept them for what they are. Complaining isn't going to change anything except the tolerance levels of the people you surround yourself with.

14. ...ACTUALLY, JUST COMPLAINING

Can everyone just stop complaining altogether? How much more positive would your life be if you stopped looking at the world as a glass half empty?

The only thing that complaining does is bring negative energy into your life, and, honestly, who the hell wants a life full of that?

15. HAVING POOR EATING AND DIETING HABITS

Not feeling comfortable in your own skin is probably one of the worst -- if not the worst -- feelings a person can experience.

Unfortunately, instead of making the changes to alter this predicament, people sadly accept it and think that's just the way their lives have to be.

The sooner you realize this does not have to be your lifestyle, the happier and more comfortable you will be.

16. LIVING THROUGH OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES

Whether it's reality television or social media, living your life through other people's experiences is nothing to be desired. Instead of lounging around, longing for a life of fun and travel, go out there and make this reality your own.

That is, unless your favorite reality TV family is the Kardashians... don't go out and emulate that lifestyle for the sake of humanity.

17. FOCUSING ONLY ON YOUR INSECURITIES, NOT YOUR ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES

You know who notices the negatives more than the positives? You. You know who doesn't? Everyone else.

Sure, maybe you don't look like Megan Fox (Honestly, who does?); maybe you don't have the brains of Steve Jobs, but you have unique qualities that set you apart from everyone else.

Live your life by your own set of standards and be a good person; this will shine through more than any potential insecurity.

18. TRYING HARD TO BE SOMEONE ELSE INSTEAD OF EMBRACING YOUR ACTUAL SELF

Instead of focusing your time, effort and attention on other people's lives, take that time and focus on your own. Concentrate on making yourself better instead of comparing yourself to someone else.

You will never be that person, no matter how hard you try. Reflect on your life and your decisions and figure out a way to be the best possible version of yourself you can be.

Thanks for reading my blog.

Are you Leading?

Dr. Deepak A. Patil

CEO, Lead ThySelf