Our daily habits and routines can make or break our lives. After all, we are what we repeatedly do. If we want to consistently improve our lives we have to be mindful of our habits and how they are helping us get where we need to go. For that reason I’ve been asking myself lately, “What good habits should I be working on to change my life for the better?”
In searching I found that when it comes right down to it the answers are pretty simple. In the end it’s all about the little things. So, today I’ve complied a list of fifteen simple habits that will change your life. Not only are they easy to do but they won’t cost you a dollar. Certainly there are several more life changing habits out there so just think of this as a starting point.
1. Put out predominantly positive energy
Make an effort to habitually put out more positive thoughts, words and actions into the world. It’s impossible for anyone to be happy 100% of the time but maintaining a negative attitude to life won’t get you anywhere either. The aim here is to be more positive than you are negative.
2. Replace complaining with gratitude
No matter how you feel about life right now there’s always going to be someone out there that’s doing better or worse than you. Get in the habit of focusing on what’s going well for you and don’t allow the negativity to take over. As someone who has struggled with this trust me when I say constant complaining can actually make a situation worse. Practice taking some time to sit with your emotions, embrace them and release them. Then focus on finding solutions.
3. Do 1 minute tasks ASAP
This is a habit I learned from Amy Landino aka AmyTv on YouTube. It is so tempting to put easy tasks off for another day and focus on bigger and more important things, but, trust me this can be dangerous. If you don’t have a proper schedule to get your major tasks done then all the 1 minute tasks will eventually pile up and become a huge task to complete. So the simple solution is just to do them as soon as they come up. Makes life a whole lot easier.
4. Respond, don’t react
How many times have we all just thoughtlessly reacted to something and made a situation infinitely worse? Probably one time too many. Sometimes situations catch us off guard and make us feel like we have to react RIGHT NOW when in reality we don’t. When we are in a reactive state people/ situations can easily control our thoughts, feelings and actions. The best thing to do is just breathe, take a deep breath, think things through and then give a response.
5. Set goals & live with intention
Habitually setting goals gives you something to look forward to and work towards. It’s the best way to stay focused and not waste your own time. Remember, we have the same amount of hours in a day as Oprah, Jeff Bezos and Rihanna. Setting and achieving goals is the best way to get the most out of our lives.
6. Give yourself a break
Get in the habit of scheduling breaks. Burnout is real and hard to recover from. As a Junior Architect I know about this all too well. Make sure that while you’re making boss moves you’re also taking care of yourself. Self care is key. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
7. Plan your week in advance
This might seem annoying initially but trust me, it’s one of the simplest and most valuable things you can do. Not only will you be more mentally prepared to get things done but you’ll also be able to coordinate things better and start thinking long term.
8. Stay true to your highest self
Notice it says ‘highest self’ and not just ‘self’. That’s because we all have traits we need to work on. Get in the habit of visualizing the kind of person you really want to be and keep showing up as that person everyday. It might start out as one tiny change here and there but eventually they will add up and before you know it you’ve completely evolved.
9. Show up for yourself
Don’t just sit back and watch opportunities pass you by. Speak up, show up and follow through. Do it for you. Your future self will thank you.
10. Practice journaling
Journaling is seriously underrated but oh so valuable habit. It’s more than just making note of your daily activities. The simple act of putting pen to paper can bring so much clarity to your mind. Sometimes things only make sense when you see it on paper. Also, you’ll have the added bonus of being able to refer back to your breakthroughs and “aha! moments” for years to come.
11. Do more & speak less
There’s a saying in Jamaica that “empty barrels make the most noise” and it’s so true. The more time you spend on talking is the less time you’ll have to actually think and do anything. Fact is you don’t have to waste time trying to convince, brag or explaining your plans to anyone. The proof of your efforts will show in your hard work and results.
12. Try something new every day
Every time we try something new we learn something new. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Don’t limited yourself to just doing the same thing everyday. The more new experiences you have is the more open mined you’ll be to different points of view and ways of living.
13. Develop a good Morning Routine
This is another great habit I got from Amy Landino. Wake up early and get the most out of your morning. Do all the things you want to do for yourself before taking on the needs of others and your daily work commitments. Don’t be a slave to your alarm clock. Take control of your mornings and start the day in a calm, pleasant and non reactive state.
14. Be kind to yourself and others
Life is hard enough as it is. There are so many variables out of our control and we won’t always be having a good time. With all these issues life throws at us the least we can do is just be kind. Everyone is fighting a battle that others don’t know about, yourself included. Habitually making positive affirmations, giving compliments and doing small acts of kindness can really go a long way.
15. Be reliable and follow through
If you say you’re going to do something then do it. It’s as simple as that.
Hope you enjoyed this list. Comment below any other great habits that have changed your life.
