Let’s get right to it - here they are:

1. Can’t

2. Should (The frequent use of this one usually ends up with people “should"ing all over themselves.)

3. Shouldn’t

4. Try

5. But

6. More (When it comes from lack; for example: "I need more time.” If you’re taking a test in class and you really do need more time to finish it, then fine; otherwise, stop using it.)

7. Sorry (Not “I’m sorry”, which also has very little weight behind it without actual action; “Sorry” by itself is practically useless and meaningless, and most of the time a mere space-filler.)

8. Can’t (I know it’s already on here, it’s just such a good one to give up I wanted to put it on here two times.)

Give it…a go!

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t - you’re right.”

Henry Ford

I bet at some point in your life you’ve read “Little Red Riding Hood”. In case you haven’t (or in case you need a refresher), though there are several versions of it floating around, here’s the super-abridged most well-known one: a young girl wearing a red hooded cape (Little Red) goes walking into the woods with some food to bring to her grandmother, who is not feeling well. She embarks upon her journey with strict orders from her mom not to dilly-dally, and not to talk with any strangers. On her way, Little Red decides to stop and pick some flowers to bring to her grandmother. While she is distractedly picking the flowers, she does not notice a figure coming out of the woods to sneak up beside her (the infamous Big Bad Wolf). After Little Red naïvely tells Big Bad exactly where she is headed, she starts back on her journey, rushing now to get to her destination. Big Bad, however...

Truth: I used to be the worst at sending back RSVPs. Most of the time, I let them just fall off my radar. And other times…I avoided them entirely. If I knew I did not want to attend the event, I just didn’t respond. So, instead of being honest (and providing the commonest of courtesies and sending back a reply), I would avoid it for as long as possible. Usually a week or so after the “RSVP by” date had passed (or until the event organizer contacted me to see if I was coming), I would send a perfunctory text message or e-mail message that usually sounded something like this:

“I’m so sorry! I meant to respond earlier - I can’t make it on the [10th]. I have something else going on that day. Thank you anyway for the invitation! Have a great time!”

Yikes.

It makes me shudder even to type that.

I have, of course, learned the lesson and handle RSVPs much more carefully now. If I am...

First things first: Our society is absolutely obsessed with being busy.

It’s true - ask ten people how they are, and I would bet at least eight of them reply in a way similar to this:

“Good! Busy.”

I think it’s a reaction more than anything. I’m not sure people really understand the word “busy”, because I believe that if they did, they would stop using it so often. And more importantly, they would stop believing that busy equals purposeful.

Truth is that most people feel useful/valuable/worthy if they are busy doing something. And something can be anything, absolutely anything at all - just as long as they are in action.

And anybody can do busy.

But not everybody can do purposeful.

That takes a bit more focus and commitment.

A few examples of the difference between “busy” and “purposeful”.

Busy: Having a jam-packed schedule.

Purposeful: Having a comfortable...