1. There are no rules.
Structures, how-tos, dogma, principles…all disciplines and theories should be used to support your freedom and independent thinking. Curiosity is exponentially more powerful than playing by the rules.

2. Say thank you.
Gratitude is one of the most creative and noble forces of human nature. It makes everything—absolutely everything—better.

3. Let your feelings be your guide.
You feel; therefore, you are. Your desired feelings should be the basis of your goals and strategic planning. Every dream is based on a desired feeling—focus on your inner state first, and your outer reality has a better chance of lining up with your ideals.

4. Speak your truth.
Loud and proud or softly whispered—getting your truth out is the most healing and effectual thing you can do for your well being. Whether it’s between you and your god, at the dinner table, or in the boardroom, your authentic expression is essential to living in colour, whole and large.

5. Laughter is the honey of life.
Like gratitude, you can always find something to laugh at. No matter how pathetic or grand, screwed up or divine…a sense of humour can make the difference between running the rat race or easin’ down the road.

Danielle LaPorte is the outspoken creator of The Desire Map, author of The Fire Starter Sessions (Random House/Crown), co-creator of Your Big Beautiful Book Plan and soon-to-be publisher of Danielle Magazine, launching in early 2014. An inspirational speaker, former think tank exec and business strategist, she writes weekly at DanielleLaPorte.com, where over a million visitors have gone for her straight-up advice — a site that’s been deemed “the best place on-line for kick-ass spirituality”, and was named one of the “Top 100 Websites for Women” by Forbes.

You can also find her on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter @daniellelaporte.

*Featured image by tanakawho