What is working in your day to day schedule? In how you work, exercise, play?
I’m inviting you to change just ONE habit which means adding something you want to start doing, or stop doing ONE thing you no longer want to do.
I often hear people wanting to change something they do or don’t do in the morning before their day gets started. What is the first thing you do when you get up in the morning? For me - COFFEE
Morning routines can set the tone for the whole day. I stopped the HABIT of checking my email and scrolling on my phone first thing. I also used to watch the news while drinking my coffee and found that there was nothing uplifting about it.
I’m working on a new HABIT for the morning that still starts with coffee, but now includes a short meditation and giving my pups extra attention. With my focus on more positive things, I can bring that energy into my day.
One small change can make a big difference.
For example, find a spot to put your keys every time you come home (close to the door if possible). This sounds simple, right? Well, you’d be surprised how many people struggle to find their keys when heading out the door, spending precious time frustrated in the delay.
Pick a pretty bowl or dish, or hang them from a hook. Create a HABIT of always putting them in their place. This simple action can save lots of time and energy in your day to day.
Manage your energy - not your tasks
Creating a new HABIT takes a bit of willpower in the beginning. Willpower is like a muscle, which means it can get fatigued.
When you are tired, your willpower is not as strong. I’m more productive in the morning and late afternoon, so when I’m trying to create a new HABIT, I’ll work it in during those times.
Plan your new HABIT around the time of day you have more energy and it will help you be successful.
Another take on managing your energy not your tasks is about balancing the things in your life that GIVE you energy vs EXPENDING energy. So, if there are things on your list that take energy, work them in around things that give you energy so you don’t get depleted. It will also make those not so fun tasks easier because you are starting them from a better place.
I am an introvert, so even though I enjoy meeting up with friends and doing things, it takes energy. I need quiet time to get energy. As a general rule, I limit my social engagements to keep things in balance. When life gets busy and there is lots to do, I re-evaluate so I can have the quiet time I need to be energized to complete the tasks.
Having a cue helps keep a new habit.
Tie your new habit to something you already do.
For example, I've always wanted to be able to a 'normal' pushup. I decided I would start with 2 "on your knees" pushups every day before taking my shower. To remember to do them, I made my cue turning on the water.
So, each day, after I turned on the water for my shower (already a habit) I walked back into the bedroom and did my 2 pushups. I started small so I wouldn't have an excuse not to do it - 2 pushups only take a few seconds.
Since I started this small habit, and tied it to a cue, it became part of my daily routine. Every so often I'd add a pushup increasing the number I'd do.
Now I do a mix of 'normal' pushups, modified pushups and chaturanga pushups!
Quiet the noise
A big part of getting organized is limiting distractions. Maybe your new HABIT is to set aside 2 hours a week to go through things and organize. Either choose the same time each week or schedule the time at the beginning of each week so it’s on your calendar. Turn your phone off so you aren’t distracted. You will be amazed at how much you can do in that time.
If you are interested in reading more about, my 3 favorite books on HABITS are:
Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg
https://amzn.to/40Cj3n8
Atomic Habits by James Clear
https://amzn.to/3zAkoPz
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
https://amzn.to/3ZHnfRd
I’m inviting you to change just ONE habit which means adding something you want to start doing, or stop doing ONE thing you no longer want to do.
I often hear people wanting to change something they do or don’t do in the morning before their day gets started. What is the first thing you do when you get up in the morning? For me - COFFEE
Morning routines can set the tone for the whole day. I stopped the HABIT of checking my email and scrolling on my phone first thing. I also used to watch the news while drinking my coffee and found that there was nothing uplifting about it.
I’m working on a new HABIT for the morning that still starts with coffee, but now includes a short meditation and giving my pups extra attention. With my focus on more positive things, I can bring that energy into my day.
One small change can make a big difference.
For example, find a spot to put your keys every time you come home (close to the door if possible). This sounds simple, right? Well, you’d be surprised how many people struggle to find their keys when heading out the door, spending precious time frustrated in the delay.
Pick a pretty bowl or dish, or hang them from a hook. Create a HABIT of always putting them in their place. This simple action can save lots of time and energy in your day to day.
Manage your energy - not your tasks
Creating a new HABIT takes a bit of willpower in the beginning. Willpower is like a muscle, which means it can get fatigued.
When you are tired, your willpower is not as strong. I’m more productive in the morning and late afternoon, so when I’m trying to create a new HABIT, I’ll work it in during those times.
Plan your new HABIT around the time of day you have more energy and it will help you be successful.
Another take on managing your energy not your tasks is about balancing the things in your life that GIVE you energy vs EXPENDING energy. So, if there are things on your list that take energy, work them in around things that give you energy so you don’t get depleted. It will also make those not so fun tasks easier because you are starting them from a better place.
I am an introvert, so even though I enjoy meeting up with friends and doing things, it takes energy. I need quiet time to get energy. As a general rule, I limit my social engagements to keep things in balance. When life gets busy and there is lots to do, I re-evaluate so I can have the quiet time I need to be energized to complete the tasks.
Having a cue helps keep a new habit.
Tie your new habit to something you already do.
For example, I've always wanted to be able to a 'normal' pushup. I decided I would start with 2 "on your knees" pushups every day before taking my shower. To remember to do them, I made my cue turning on the water.
So, each day, after I turned on the water for my shower (already a habit) I walked back into the bedroom and did my 2 pushups. I started small so I wouldn't have an excuse not to do it - 2 pushups only take a few seconds.
Since I started this small habit, and tied it to a cue, it became part of my daily routine. Every so often I'd add a pushup increasing the number I'd do.
Now I do a mix of 'normal' pushups, modified pushups and chaturanga pushups!
Quiet the noise
A big part of getting organized is limiting distractions. Maybe your new HABIT is to set aside 2 hours a week to go through things and organize. Either choose the same time each week or schedule the time at the beginning of each week so it’s on your calendar. Turn your phone off so you aren’t distracted. You will be amazed at how much you can do in that time.
If you are interested in reading more about, my 3 favorite books on HABITS are:
Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg
https://amzn.to/40Cj3n8
Atomic Habits by James Clear
https://amzn.to/3zAkoPz
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
https://amzn.to/3ZHnfRd
