10 Habits That Could Transform Your Life Right Now
Often, all it takes to kick off a series of changes to your life is a moderate modification in your thought process or behavior. It may be that you feel stuck, or overwhelmed, or just want to consider how to live with more intention; in any case, these ten methods can incite immediate and lasting change—in your life starting today.
1. Start the Day With Deliberation
Take a few moments each morning to evaluate what you would like to accomplish. Consider, with intention, what is my point of focus today? Starting your day with deliberation wakes your brain up to focus and intent. When you evaluate what you are going to accomplish or learn—it's productive. You can do this via journaling, meditating or sitting quietly.
2. Make Your Bed
What ever you decide to do to deliberately start the day, be sure to make your bed to contribute to good habit formation. Making your bed takes less than two minutes, but it lays the foundation for discipline and order. Admiral William H. McRaven states, "If you want to change the world, start by making your bed." Making your bed is a tiny symbolic action of discipline and achievement.
3. Establish Screen Time Restrictions
Be purposeful in limiting the time you spend scrolling social media for engagement or consuming negative media for information. Set screen time regulations for yourself, such as no phone present during meals or after nine o'clock. If you limit your screen-time you can reclaim time spent mindlessly scrolling. With that reclaimed time, take up a nourishing activity such as reading, or going for a walk.
4. Drink More Water
Hydration levels can affect your energy, focus, and even mood. Make it a habit to drink a full glass of water first thing in the morning and 6-8 glasses throughout the day. This small habit is something that will provide you important benefits physically and mentally.
5. Do One Scary Thing
Fear holds back more than failure ever could and fear surrounds us in so many ways. Get out of your comfort zone, whether that is speaking up in a meeting, signing up for a class, or starting that blog you've been wanting to start. Growth starts with discomfort.
6. Declutter One Space
Choose one small space, a drawer, a desk, an inbox, and get rid of it. Our physical clutter often reflects internal clutter. A clean space can positively impact our mood and reduce anxiety, even at a very small level.
7. Learn to Say No More Often
Your time is your most valuable asset. Learn to say no to things that suck that time away or are not in alignment to your values and/or goals. Learn to say no to things that are not that important. Every no to something that doesn't matter, is a yes to something that does.
8. Practice Gratitude
Every day for 3–5 minutes, write down what you are grateful for. This will shift your mindset from what you don't have to what you do have. Writing down what is good in your life will keep you in the habit of remembering what is going well, even when you're having a bad day.
9. Move Your Body
You do not have to commit to a gym/workout. Even a 10 minute walk, some stretching in the comfort of your home, or a dance party in your kitchen can create motion and shift your mood and elevate your energy. Movement is medicine for the body and the mind.
10. Reach Out to Someone
Reach out to a friend, family member, co-worker, etc. Sometimes just sending a simple message saying, "thinking of you" can lead to an opportunity for a deeper meaningful conversation and restore awareness that we are not alone. Relationships are one of the best predictors for long-term happiness.
Conclusion
None of these suggestions require a big change in your life. In fact, it is the simplicity of these suggestions that makes them so powerful. Pick one or two to start with, then build upon it. Consistent small actions compound over time into a daily routine and a life that you love.
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