Contents
- 1. Say “no” more often
- 2. Keep a diary every day
- 3. Sit in silence
- 4. React not automatically, but meaningfully
- 5. Immediately complete tasks that take no more than 5 minutes
- 6. Read a lot
- 7. Analyze your behavior
- 8. Stop Complaining and Take Action
- 9. To drink a lot of water
- 10. Start each day by asking, “What can I change today to improve my life?”
Experts disagree on how long it takes to develop a new habit: some say 21 days, others say a couple of months. Both are too long: there is a high probability of abandoning a new activity before a habit is formed. But here’s what you can do in ten days.
1. Say “no” more often
Each new day brings us dozens of different opportunities, but to stay true to the chosen course, most of them should be abandoned. So prioritize and calmly say “no” to everything else: from extracurricular work that a friend offers you if your priority is communication with loved ones, and a new order if you have already taken something else to work.
By starting to say “no” to everything superfluous, you will automatically say “yes” to everything that is important to you.
2. Keep a diary every day
Even if your work and life in general have nothing to do with literature, journalism or other writing practices. If you have an idea for a startup, or you have launched your own business, or are preparing for an important event, write down all the details in a diary.
Once you make this a daily practice, your brain will regularly give you interesting ideas and important insights. Plus, writing helps reduce stress.
3. Sit in silence
Scientists have found that 6200 thoughts visit us every day, therefore, in order to calm your mind, you need to sit in complete silence every day for at least 5-10 minutes.
If you can, meditate. If not, just close your eyes and try not to think about anything. When thoughts come to mind, don’t fight them, just notice and let go.
Inner peace comes when we stop trying to control our thoughts.
4. React not automatically, but meaningfully
When something unpleasant happens, do not rush to act: stop, breathe, think about how you would like to see the outcome of the situation, and only then take concrete steps.
For example, when a colleague yells at you, the first natural reaction is to yell back. But who will benefit from this? If your long-term goal is to maintain a normal relationship with this person, it would be wiser to remain silent or leave.
5. Immediately complete tasks that take no more than 5 minutes
Got a message from a colleague? Answer it. Did you have a brilliant idea? Write it down right there. So small tasks will not accumulate like a snowball, and you will definitely not forget anything important.
6. Read a lot
A small habit that can significantly improve the quality of life. Even half an hour of reading a day helps you grow personally, professionally, spiritually, or financially.
If for some reason you don’t like or can’t read at all, listen to audiobooks or podcasts, watch educational videos from TED speakers.
7. Analyze your behavior
Instead of beating yourself up for procrastination or unhealthy behaviors, first figure out what motivates you to do them. Watch your repeating scenarios.
Analyze your day from waking up to going to bed, try to understand what upset or angered you and made you resort to unhealthy ways to deal with stress.
Once you truly understand yourself, you will have a chance to fix something in your life.
8. Stop Complaining and Take Action
Whatever the task before you is to change jobs, earn more money and solve your financial problems, make new friends – there are likely to be sensible tips on the Internet on how to do this.
Instead of once again starting to whine that everything is bad and no one needs you, try to take at least a small step towards solving this problem.
9. To drink a lot of water
It will keep you hydrated, aid digestion, and keep your heart rate normal—the benefits are endless. Drink at least eight glasses of pure water a day, and more if you can.
10. Start each day by asking, “What can I change today to improve my life?”
If it seems to you that you are not living, but “surviving”, then it is time for you to change your attitude to what is happening. Think not about how to “cope” and “overcome”, but about how to do even better and live even happier.
Bring the little pleasures available to you into your life. Call a friend. Go out for at least a half hour walk. Start reading a book that has been gathering dust on your shelf for a long time. Take a contrast shower. Do at least a minute of breathing practice. Don’t expect your life to change overnight – just try to bring small good habits into it every day.