Mar 10, 2025 10 min read

5 Rules to STOP Wasting Your Life

Ok so I’ve just finished a shift at the hospital and I wanted to talk to you about something.

I want you to imagine that you’re 90 years old, sitting on the porch of a small, rustic cabin overlooking a gorgeous mountain valley.

The sun is setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple.

The air is cool and crisp, and you feel a gentle breeze on your face.

You hear the sound of a stream pouring through the rocks,and the rustling of leaves as deer pass through the woods.

You take a deep breath and reflect on your life. There’s no rush.

You have all the time in the world to think.

Who has been a part of your journey?

Who have you loved, supported, and shared your life with?

In what ways have you influenced their lives?

What have you done to leave a mark, to make them feel valued and cared for?

What moments do you really treasure?

What are you proud of, and what do you regret?

And as you sit there on that porch, you realise that the possessions you once chased feel insignificant.

The car, the house, the job titles—they all take a back seat.

What actually matters is the impact you had, the love you gave and received and the stories you leave behind.

This shift in perspective—from living in the madness of daily life to reflecting on the bigger picture—can actually teach us a lot.

Looking back from the end of our lives allows us to strip away the distractions and fears of the moment and focus on what actually matters.

It pushes us to prioritise those family dinners, late night chats with your mates, and the holidays and experiences that provide richness to your life.

I was at a cardiac arrest call recently and there was a moment after I was doing chest compressions, where I paused for a second so we can see the heart rhythm on the defibrillator, which guides what we do next.

It felt like time stood still.

I looked around the room and there were about 10 people there.

And even more outside.

All trying their best to save this persons life.

But despite everything we did—despite the medications, the adrenaline, the fluids, the shocks, the relentless effort—they didn’t make it.

As I stepped back and watched the family absorb the news, I saw a lifetime of memories flash before their eyes.

Love, laughter, regrets, words left unsaid.

The full weight of what happened was settling in.

This is why I want to talk about memento mori, you’ve probably heard the saying.

It basically translates to "remembering death", and it as morbid as you may think — it’s actually liberating.

It reminds us that life has an end point.

It reminds us that our time here is a gift, and that we should spend it wisely.

It reminds us to take action to live with urgency, intention, and gratitude as well.

The odds of you even being here, alive, reading this article are astronomical.

But here you are, breathing, thinking, feeling.

And staring down the inevitability of death doesn’t have to paralyse us; it can actually energise us. Let me explain.

So I think about death all the time.

It makes us appreciate the people around us, the moments we’re share, and the opportunity we have to shape a meaningful existence. In the intensive care unit, I saw this up close.

I looked after patients who were intubated and ventilated— basically dependent on machines to breathe for them.

Every day, their families visited, grappling with the realisation that their lives were changed forever.

They asked questions about what was going to happen, about the hope of returning to normal, and sometimes, I had to gently tell them that no one could promise them that they would be back to normal.

It’s in moments like those that life’s fragility becomes painfully clear.

It’s a huge reminder that our time is precious, and how we choose to spend it defines the legacy we leave behind.

And so today, I want to talk about why this is important and I’m gonna talk about a few ways you can use it to live a more intentional, meaningful life.

Redefine success

A good way to spend your time more wisely is to redefine what success actually means to you.

For ages I saw success as society usually defines it for us, so like having a good, respectable job, earning good money, and owning nice things like a fancy car.

And while those are nice to have, they’re largely tied to external expectations— so what society tells us we should want.

But what happens when you strip away those expectations?

What if success wasn’t about what you owned, but the impact you made on the world?

Instead of chasing status symbols, ask yourself:

What kind of legacy do I want to leave behind?

What values do I want to manifest?

What difference do I want to make?

The first step in overcoming the pressure to meet society’s version of success is to redefine it for yourself. The world’s obsession with success has become so intense that it can overshadow actual satisfaction.

So, take a second to reflect—what does success really mean to you?

This question matters because time is not on our side.

We all want to build, grow, and achieve, but if you constantly compare yourself to others—whether it’s on Instagram or in the news—you’ll always feel like you’re falling behind.

I’ve done a video about this I’ll link it for you below.

Success shouldn’t be about measuring yourself against someone else’s highlight reel.

If you feel stuck or like you’re not doing enough, maybe you should step back and reconsider what you’re actually striving for.

Redefining success takes courage and sometimes it means stepping off the well trodden path.

It might mean prioritising flexibility over a traditional 9-to-5.

It might mean focusing on how you can inspire others or solve real problems.

Redefining success isn’t easy, but it’s liberating.

It allows you to live life on your own terms and pursue what you actually wanna do, not what others expect of you.

So have the courage to go against the grain, and make your own definition of success a reality.

Always be learning

Another way to spend your time more wisely is to commit to being a lifelong learner.

For lots of us, learning is something we associate with school, college, or uni.

But in reality, learning is the core of the human experience—it’s something we should never stop doing.

And as life gets busier, self-education usually takes a back seat. I know this firsthand.

As a doctor, my days are filled with demanding responsibilities, but I still try to make time for working out, eating well and taking care of myself.

Even so, I felt this pull to try something new, create something and send a message, so I decided to learn video editing.

I wasn’t great at it when I started—I knew I wouldn’t be—but that didn’t matter.

I was curious, and I loved the idea of creating something from scratch.

That curiosity was enough to keep me going, and the fun of learning made it worth the effort.

This is all easier said than done because work becomes hectic, family life consumes your energy, and suddenly, you feel like there’s no time left to learn something new.

But here’s the truth: making time for learning is one of the most valuable investments you can make in yourself.

Progression is so so important.

It doesn’t matter if you’re learning a new hobby, a language, or a skill—what matters is that you’re growing.

And if that skill can also earn you money? Even better.

Becoming a lifelong learner can also open doors to opportunities you never thought were possible.

Learning to cook new meals, mastering a skill that improves your health, or finding a way to make money doing something you like.

Each new thing you learn builds your confidence—and confidence isn’t something you’re born with; it’s something you become.

You become confident yeah.

it’s a byproduct of taking action and proving to yourself that you’re capable.

It’s a process that requires consistent effort and builds over time as you accumulate life experiences and skills. And confidence is important because life will challenge you in unexpected ways.

I’ve done a video on how to be more confident (below) so watch it if this is something you struggle with.

So, how do you start?

Rekindle that curiosity you had as a child.

Approach the world with a bit of wonder and a hunger to know more.

Whether it’s picking up a book, trying out a new hobby, or taking a class, every step forward is a step toward a more fulfilled, confident, and capable version of yourself.

Learning doesn’t just prepare you for life—it is life.

Never stop.

Reading matters more than many people realise.

It’s not just entertainment, it sharpens your mind and expands your perspective - kinda like a workout for your brain.

Just like lifting weights strengthens your muscles, reading strengthens your ability to think critically, analyse deeply, and process information more effectively.

Every book you pick up introduces you to new words and ideas.

And over time, this naturally improves your language skills, expands your vocabulary, and improves the way you express yourself.

One of the reasons I love reading is the focus it demands.

Sitting down with a book forces you to slow down and immerse yourself in a single task, so it’s a good way to train your attention span as well.

And if you’re a fan of novels or stories, books let you explore entirely new worlds.

I don’t read too much fiction but I’ve been reading the lord of the rings by Tolkien and I’m genuinely amazed at the depth of his genius and creativity.

If you’re not familiar with his work and you’ve never heard of The Lord Of The Rings, then I don’t know what to say, you’ve probably been hiding under a rock.

Go watch the films or read the books.

His attention to detail is incredible, he basically created entire languages for his books, which actually started from writing stories for his kids.

His ideas and perspectives helped shaped an entire genre, he inspired a generation of creativity. Which I think is genuinely amazing.

There’s something pretty cool about getting lost in a story and letting your imagination fill in the gaps.

Biographies are also a good source of inspiration, they basically offer a front-row seat into the lives of real people.

You get to learn from their successes, their failures, and their most important life moments. The stories can be inspiring and they can teach you a lot as well, and those lessons you can apply in your own life.

Build your body

What do I mean by this?

I’m not going to drum on talking about the benefits of exercise, you know that. Instead, I want you to think of a bigger question.

Are you preparing your body to carry you through life, into your 80s, 90s, or even 100?

Are you taking care of yourself now so that you’ll be strong and capable enough to care for the people who matter most to you later?

You’d be surprised at how quickly some people lose independence because they haven’t looked after themselves and I see this every single day at work.

Exercise isn’t just about appearances or short-term goals; it’s about creating a foundation for longevity.

Lifting weights is really important because building strength helps preserve muscle mass and bone density as you age— these 2 things help you maintain mobility and independence later on.

Also a big oversight is nutrition. Just exercising won’t do the job if you’re not fuelling your body with the right things. What you eat plays a huge role in your long-term health.

Think of it this way: every meal is either building your body up or breaking it down.

The goal is simple — you need to build a body that will take you through the decades.

Not just so you can look after yourself, but so you can be there for the people who rely on you.

Could be family, friends, or future generations, your health is a gift you give to them.

So, take the time to invest in your body. Lift weights. Eat well. Think long-term.

A strong body isn’t just a personal asset—it’s your ability to show up for the ones who matter most, like right now and in the years to come.

Spend time with friends

Another powerful way to spend your time wisely is by investing it in your friendships.

Make the effort to do fun things with your mates.

Travel together.

Call them more often.

See them in person if you can.

Life’s too short to let these connections slip through the cracks.

The truth is, you don’t need a huge group of mates—just a handful of good ones are enough.

And if you don’t have many friends right now, that’s cool. Building friendships takes time. It took me ages before I knew what I was doing and became confident to talk to strangers.

Start by doing things you like with other people that like the same interests.

Join a running club or go to a local event, I went to a run club event recently and had a really good time, although we ended up running about 8k rather than 5 so it was a struggle but whatever.

Building connections takes time, its better to be patient with it I think.

I recently went on a trip with my friends to a famous Spanish Island, you can probably guess which one, and it was honestly unforgettable.

We laughed, partied, explored, and made memories that we’ll talk about for years.

We’re already planning our next trip so let's see where we end up.

And having something to look forward to like a holiday is a good way to bring excitement to your life.

When you reflect on your year at the end, wouldn’t it be cool to think, Wow, that trip—or that moment—was so much fun?

Relationships are at the heart of those memories yeah.

And like i said it’s not about how many friends you have; it’s about the quality of those connections.

Look at the people in your life. Right now.

Are they helping you grow?

Are you being intentional with the company you keep?

Surround yourself with big thinkers, people who hustle, and those who are trying to better themselves.

Their passion for growth and self-improvement can inspire you to do the same.

Having someone as an accountability partner can be a game-changer and I’ve spoken about this before.

This could be a close mate, a family member, or even your partner—someone who motivates you, holds you accountable, and pushes you toward your goals.

So yeah, choose your circle wisely, set boundaries when you need to, and surround yourself with positive, good energy people.

When you invest in your relationships, you’re investing in yourself—and in the kind of life you want to lead.

Hopefully you can use a few of these principles I’ve spoken about to help you live a better life.

Wisdom comes from the ability to see yourself now through the eyes of your future self.

It’s about recognising that every choice you make today shapes the person you’ll become tomorrow.

When you imagine yourself at 90, sitting on that porch or park bench, you’ll wish you had spent more time focusing on the things that truly matter—relationships, personal growth, and meaningful experiences.

There’s a quote I love which says,