Habits

Over 10 million people have read Atomic Habits, so it’s likely you understand the power of habits.

But, do you know what habits will help change your life for the better?

Based on observing successful people and what I’ve experienced in my life, I want to share some habits that will change your life.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to disappear for 6 months for this to work, you just need to be consistent.

Wake Up Early

The early bird gets the worm.

Research shows if you wake up early you’ll go to bed earlier and have a longer, better sleep.

Benefits are:

• More time to yourself
• Reduced commute to work
• Better diet and eating habits
• Increased likelihood of exercise

Exercise

Daily exercise helps to keep the doctor away even more than an apple does.

Benefits of daily exercise include:

• Manage weight
• Reduce risk of falls
• Improve cholesterol
• Lower blood pressure
• Reduce risk of heart attack
• Lower risk of type 2 diabetes

Meditate

You don’t need to be a monk to enjoy the benefits of meditation.

When you take time out of your day to meditate, some of the benefits include:

• Reduces stress
• Controls anxiety
• Promotes higher EQ
• Enhances self-awareness
• Lengthens attention span

Work hard

My father taught me the benefit of working harder than others.

I didn’t realize the benefits included:

• Builds your confidence
• Brings benefits to society
• Improves your reputation
• Forces personal development
• Provides an example to your kids

Read

Benefits of reading for you will be:

• Reduces stress
• Improves sleep
• Exercises the brain
• Increase motivation

Laugh

Laughter is the best medicine.

No, seriously, laughter is beneficial for your health:

• Relieves pain
• Reduces stress
• Soothes tension
• Improves your mood
• Improves your immune system

Journal

Journaling daily allows you to track your lives, refine your thinking and improve communication.

Some of the benefits of journaling are:

• Track goals
• Track progress
• Improve memory
• Improve confidence
• Improve communication
• Reduce stress and anxiety

Drink water

You should drink four to six cups of water per day, which will provide the following benefits:

• Aids digestion
• Reduces weight
• Increase energy
• Prevents headaches
• Increases productivity
• Normalizes blood pressure

Practice gratitude

When you’re grateful, you focus on what’s right and not wrong.

Benefits of gratitude are:

• Improves sleep
• Increases happiness
• Improves friendships
• Increases self-esteem
• Reduces stress and burnout
• Improves emotional regulation

Practice mindfulness

When you’re mindful, you are present.

When you’re present, you’ll succeed in life.

Benefits of mindfulness include:

• Improves memory
• Decreases depression
• Increases physical health
• Reduces anxiety and stress
• Improves emotional regulation

Pray

Whether you’re religious or not, there are benefits to prayer:

• Provides answers
• Increases lifespan
• Improves attitude
• Gives you strength
• Provides direction in life
• Reduces anger and depression
• Increases calm, control, and support

If you commit to these habits for 6+ months consistently, you’ll notice:

• Reduced stress
• Improved sleep
• Increased energy
• Increased confidence
• Improved emotional regulation
• Reduced anxiety and depression

These habits will help you win this game we call life.

Now, tell me what your favorite habits are.

What isn’t on the list above that you believe in and why?

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TGG Podcast

This week on the Growth Guide Podcast, I spoke to Shauna Shapiro about their book, Good Morning, I Love You: Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Practices to Rewire Your Brain for Calm, Clarity, and Joy.​

In this episode, we talked about how mindfulness can increase your performance, heighten your creativity, and deepen self-awareness:

• Resistance
• Neuroplasticity
• Be Kind to Yourself
• Practice, Not Perfect
• Emotional Regulation
• The 5 Percent Principle
• The Power of Self-Compassion

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