You've probably heard a lot of tips on how to become healthier, more productive and motivated. It is necessary to drink 2 liters of water a day, eat vegetables and fruits, read classics and non-fiction, get up at four in the morning, meditate and train at least three times a week.

But few people manage to follow all this. Life is too unpredictable to constantly adhere to an ideal daily routine. And when we repeatedly go to bed late, procrastinate or skip workouts, we begin to blame ourselves for insufficient productivity.

If we know how to behave correctly so that the days are as effective as possible, but we do not follow this knowledge, it seems to us that we are losing something: time, money, opportunities. This is a natural feeling, but harmful: it creates tension that worsens our condition and prevents from getting better.

Fortunately, there is a way to get rid of guilt. To do this, you need to complete only three steps.

1. Realize that no one is perfect

We are all different, but no one behaves flawlessly every second. Even the most productive and successful people in the world often allow themselves to skip going to the gym, lie in bed until lunch or watch a whole season of a sitcom in one gulp.

Moreover, if you collect all the productivity tips in the world, it becomes clear that it is unrealistic to follow them. Many of them contradict each other, and there is not enough time in a day for all the actions they propose to perform. Therefore, they need to be filtered: choose only those that seem appropriate and important.

2. Accept that you don't need to be perfect

Being perfect is not only impossible, but also unnecessary. The advice that you met on social networks or a blog is not so much an indication to action as a push in the right direction. It doesn't have to be followed exactly.

For example, if you found out that you need to train three times a week, but you only have time for one lesson, it's okay. Maybe later you will be able to increase the number of trips to the gym, but even in the current situation you will become healthier and stronger every week.

3. Concentrate on the present

One of the main sources of guilt is the gap between the real us and who we want to be. We think about the lifestyle we are striving for, and we understand that it will take a huge amount of effort and time to get closer to it. This scares and demotivates.

And that's not the best way to look at things. Of course, it would be wonderful if we were perfect beings, wise, patient, with a reserve of strength and time. But in reality it's not like that.

We are just people, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

Instead of asking yourself, "How do I become the perfect version of myself?", think, "What can I do to improve my results in this area?" The important thing is that you are trying to get better right now. And not that you have not yet achieved some goal that you have come up with for yourself.

Here are a few rules to follow in order not to start blaming yourself again:

Choose a few of the most important goals (or even one) and accept the idea that it's okay to miss some things.
Stop comparing yourself to others. Everyone has their own unique path, abilities and conditions. It only matters how much better you become.
Divide the tips into necessary and those that would be a plus. Concentrate on following only the first, and do the rest as much as possible.
Understand that guilt is not necessary. It can motivate, but side effects like psychological stress are not worth it. It is better to look for motivation elsewhere.