Would you like to become a better version of yourself one year from today? These 9 powerful habits can help you get there sooner than you think:
Forget about saying “I can’t” and start saying “why not?”
There is something really powerful when we leave a little space open for possibilities, instead of shutting the door in our own face. It’s better to ask ourselves where the resistance is coming from, rather than give in to it immediately without a fight. It’s a subtle change in attitude towards us than can have a tremendous impact in our lives.
Build your unique daily routine
Why? Because it helps you become the master of your own time. In addition, you experience a greater sense of calm knowing in advance how your day is going to look like. It could be a simple 30 minute morning routine, or doing your most complex work early in the day when your brain is well rested, or doing your most creative work late at night when you can be alone and away from distractions. Create a structured routine customized to your specific needs, your goals, and what you believe to be most relevant to you.
Develop your life strategy
Focus on the work you’ve planned to complete today, but always keep your eye on at least two steps ahead. Think before you act. Is your behavior geared towards achieving a one-time effect, or will you feel benefits in the long run? Is what you’re doing today going to help you become who you want to be next year, in 5, in 10 years? Become strategic so that you can achieve long term results that your future self can benefit from.
Always have a goal to aspire to
When we have specific goals we want to achieve, everything we do in our daily lives has a greater sense of purpose. It’s what makes the difference between just living life day to day, and living a life that has meaning. To help you focus on your goal, start each day with the question: What is the ONE THING I am committed to completing today? This question forces you to prioritize, helps your brain focus better, and streamlines the work you need to do on that particular day, so that you don't feel stressed, tired, or overwhelmed with making too many choices.
Be grateful for what you have instead of focusing on what others have
A practice of gratitude helps to restructure our brain so we see life as plentiful instead of empty. You only need 5 minutes in your day to do it. As soon as you wake up, take a notebook and write 3 things you are grateful for today: it can be something as simple as a roof over your head, food in the fridge, a warm bed, running water; a positive relationship with people you love the most; an education that allows you to read, write, etc.
Calm your mind
Try meditation. It’s not as complicated as it sounds. In fact, this small practice doesn't require a lot of time, it's simple to follow, and it has many benefits, including better focus, more concentration, and a greater sense of calm. Meditating early in the day can clean your brain of any cluttered thoughts and prepare it for the day ahead; in addition, it will help you sleep better at night. You just need 10 minutes to get started.
Be persistent
The writer Seth Godin said, "Never quit something with great long-term potential just because you can't deal with the stress of the moment." Fight the urge to give up whenever things get tough, hard, or even ugly. Know the difference between what feels hard to do right now and what's good for you in the long run. Nothing big and truly amazing happens in one day or even a month. So next time you fall, do your best to get up, dust yourself off, and keep going.
Improve your relationship with your mistakes
Consider this: you either learn to fail or fail to learn. Making mistakes is a normal part of life. It’s how you approach them that matters. Try a different strategy of viewing your past by forgiving yourself for mistakes that you made. Reflect on them, learn from them, but don't hold on to them. This applies to your relationships, your career, your education, and other areas of your life in which you feel you didn’t achieve what you wanted or underperformed in some way. By changing how you relate to mistakes, you will give yourself more freedom to manage your future more successfully.
Treat happiness like a habit and not an end goal
Do you want to be happier a year from today? To make a positive change in your life, treat happiness like a habit and actively look for what you can do to become happier every day.
