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- Jul 26, 2007
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Hi
Now, the question to ponder is what (action-oriented) habit I can apply/start on a daily basis (similar to going to the gym for 1 or 2 hours a day) that will increase my wealth over time (like gym increases health over time)?
Socrates once said, "An unexamined life is not worth living." I couldn't agree more. Self-development fascinates me, people that obtain massive results totally wow me. I want to live up to my fullest potential as well. In order to get there, I believe that there is a "base level" of good habits that a person needs in order to develop/maintain success. Those base level, daily habits (for me) would be:
- Balancing my checkbook (how can you chart a course if you don't know where you are?)
- Charting a financial course. Have a plan for your money.
- Expanding my horizons. Try something new. If you don't like it the first time, try it 2 more times to make sure! I hated running the first 3-4 times I tried it. I'm about 5'2 and not built for speed! I got an Ipod last year, and now I love running! If I have energy to burn, I put on some Metallica or Rob Zombie and run as fast as my little legs will go!
- Taking time to think big. Like Trump says, "If you are going to be thinking anyways, you might as well be thinking big." Anything is possilble, but ya have to think of it first!
- Being organized (study is tidy and efficient, room is clean) ...About 2 years ago I organized my closet according to color and type of clothing. I can't draw a direct line to productivity and results, but I can tell you that my morning runs smoother and I am less stressed.
- Drinking plenty of water (gives me energy and makes me feel better.)
- getting at least 20 minutes of exercise a day (clears my head for new ideas, or just helps me decompress.)
- Taking a bath, having a glass of wine and journaling (decompression and reflection)
- Taking time to be grateful. Every morning before my feet hit the floor I give thanks for 5 things.
- Be true to your word. This one is huge. I used to sign myself up for things I didn't really want to do, then I'd back out of it later. I've since learned that if you aren't good for your word, you're not good for much. Do what you say you're going to do- be reliable. ...Being true to your word also has a ripple effect in your personal life. Once you get in the habit of committing yourself to your word, you also tend to honor the commitments that you make to yourself. ...which does make you more productive.
- Planning the day the night before. I make a list of things to do tomorrow before I go to sleep- that way I am on track right away. I also make my lunch and plan my outfit.
- Planning in general. Ever heard the saying, "Poor preparation leads to poor performance"? Think ahead. Plan ahead.
- Associate with quality people. One thing that I give thanks for on a daily basis are my friends. I am radically and outrageously blessed to have friends that are there for me whenever I need them. They are positive, encouraging and really fun to be with- and I am a better person for knowing them.
- Learn to control your thoughts. Spend time daily to keep your thoughts on the right track. When I first started learning about NLP and how to develop a positive attitude, some people thout I had lost my mind. ...I felt like I had finally found it.
- Change your vocabulary. Pay attention to the words you use. ...I had several issues with my cabins over Christmas. I had to consciously reframe my thinking from, "this is a disaster, or I"m sick to my stomach" to "this is an inconvience, a great time for an attitude check as well as a time to learn a lot- and fast!"
- Take time to learn. I spend at least 30 minutes a day reading or on this site learning as much as I can.
These are just a few of the habits that I have made a conscious effort to implement in my life on a daily basis. Analyze the current habits you have that will lift you to the next level, and think about the other habits that are dragging you down. Think about how to change them. For me it was taking small steps daily. Ex: Drinking one bottle of water a day. That is workable, then I focus on growing that habit.
I am currently working on adding the habit of getting up early, and jogging more often. To set myself up for success, I decided this morning that (after 2 weeks of not hearing my alarm go off at 5am) I am going to aim for 6am- which is doable. I also got a treadmill for Christmas and signed up for the Race for the Cure in June. (My ultimate goal is to run 5 miles a day. Currently I am at 1-3 miles a day.) That will give me a goal to train for. I still have habits that aren't in sync with who I want to be, but I work at it daily- and I write them down so I won't forget- it's easy to forget you are working on drinking more water, if you aren't a water drinker!
It doesn't take massive actions to have massive results in your life. If you can tweek a behavior or habit but just a degree or two, (instead of focusing on a 180 degree change) imagine the difference down the road!
I'd be curious to know other people's habits and what they work on as far as self-improvement.