The site livingwellspendingless.com encourages us to try applying as many of these good habits to our daily lives as we can! Treat them as “starter habits”—and it will only move up from there!
1. Keep Things Tidy
Picking up, keeping things organized, and even just making the bed helps us feel better. Just sweeping through the house, picking up items lying around, cleaning up spills right away and rinsing dishes to put them in the dishwasher can make a huge difference. Try setting a timer when you’re just starting out forming this habit. Your day and attitude will benefit from this simple habit.
2. Mindfully Manage Your Money
One of the top habits of successful people? They’re mindful money managers. Spending can be habitual and automatic. When we get into the routine of swiping a credit card at every whim, it can quickly spiral out of control and become a dangerous mess.
One of the best ways to get in the habit of mindful money management is to pause on spending altogether. This can be a challenge, but after a decent break from spending, you’ll be amazed at how much more you think before you swipe that card.
Make it a habit to examine your checking and savings account and budget daily. Just 5 minutes a day spent glancing at it and making sure that things are going smoothly can catch problems immediately. Put your money back in your wallet or place coins in a jar each time you spend. Make it a habit to stash the “extra” change away, then watch it quickly add up.
3. Choose Gratitude
One habit that can change your perspective almost immediately is to become intentional about choosing an attitude of gratitude. Universally, successful people can identify the positive things in their life and show appreciation for them. Focusing on what you’re grateful for helps build an appreciation for what you have. It helps us feels blessed, so we can find beauty in life’s ordinary moments.
4. Stay Hydrated
By now we’ve all heard the many benefits of drinking water: more energy, clearer skin, and better digestion. Instead of thinking that it’s a punishment to count your 8 glasses of water a day, think of it as a great way to fuel your body.
5. Plan Your Days
People who are successful plan it that way. They write down appointments (and keep them), utilize a daily task list, and use their calendars as a map toward achieving their goals. For each to-do item, find a time on your calendar and write it in. Scheduling helps you manage your time wisely, so you can maximize your “rewards” and anticipate your family’s needs.
6. Put Your Family First
Strengthening family relationships and considering the needs of your spouse and your children is one of the most important factors in any decision. Before you commit to another activity or jam another thing into an already packed schedule, be certain you’re not overriding the needs of those closest to you.
7. Get Up Early
Try your best to be an early riser. Set your alarm for the same time every day, even on weekends. Plan and stick to a similar bedtime each night. If determined you need more sleep, get to bed earlier (rather than sleeping later). This can be one of the most difficult habits to start, but once you do, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
Early risers are typically more productive and find more time to address problems at the start rather than playing catch up all day long. Even ten extra minutes in the morning can mean getting out the door on time and in an organized manner.
8. Prepare for Success the Night Before
Similar to getting up early, preparing before bed helps you jump start the next day. What takes 10 or 15 minutes before bed can take 20 or 30 amidst the morning and the days’ chaos. If you make it a habit to be proactive and prepare for what lies ahead, you’ll head off any glitches in the morning.
9. Get Moving
Successful, happy and productive people have a regular habit of getting in some healthy movement each day. This doesn’t necessarily mean a 5-mile run (unless that’s your thing, of course). It could be taking 20 minutes to do a lap around the block, taking the stairs more often, or if heading to the store for essentials, park your car a little farther away from the grocery store – it can really add up.
10. Rest
While putting your family first is important, this doesn’t mean you should completely forgo your own needs. Genuinely happy and successful people know when they need to take a break and when they need to focus on themselves.
This does not always have to mean a spa day or a shopping spree. Find little treats or gifts to give yourself throughout the day—savor a cup of coffee, smell it, sip it slowly, and feel the warmth between your hands and the steam on your face. Whatever you truly enjoy, take the time to be mindful and give yourself something special. Make this “me time” a habit and do it daily. Do it without guilt and enjoy it.
