Do you ever find yourself wanting something more? At times, the day-to-day grind can feel like it is taking up all the space we have. And that’s because: If we let our projects and tasks take over our lives, they will.
When this happens, you might find yourself on a path that you didn’t intend to be on – and one that doesn’t align with what you truly want out of life.
It’s more important than ever to be intentional with our time, choosing to spend it in ways that get us closer to the life we envision . . . taking us to a higher level.
With spring on the way and the pandemic numbers looking a bit more hopeful, now is the perfect time to invest in yourself and make a plan to elevate your life.
Here are our top tips to help you do just that.
1. Decide the type of person you want to be – and go for it!
No matter what type of change you’re wishing for, it’s important to identify who it is that you want to become! Perhaps you already know what type of change you’re looking for, but that is actually the outcome that you’re desiring. Instead, focus on the mindset and the process.
In his best-selling book Atomic Habits, author James Clear advises to first “decide the type of person you want to be” and then “prove it to yourself with small wins.”
For example, if you want to write more, identify as a writer. If you want to get in better shape, identify as an athlete or the type of person who exercises every day. Think to yourself: What would a writer do? What would someone who exercises every day do?
In the latter example, he or she would likely: (1) Decide on the type of exercise to do; (2) Plan it out (when, how long, how often); (3) Lay out their exercise clothes the night before; (4) Set an alarm or a reminder; and then (5) Exercise. Sometimes a simple mindset shift, such as “I am someone who exercises every day!” makes all the difference.
Take time today to write down the type of person you want to be – and make a plan to achieve small wins that relate to that identity. Let us know how it goes!
2. Improve your daily habits
Real change happens on a daily basis in tiny, incremental steps! This is where your habits (good or bad) come into play. Think through what you do on a daily basis and then ask yourself: Do my daily habits support my priorities in life and my goals for the year ahead?
If not, map out three daily habits you would like to improve upon or implement. Each one can be small, such as reviewing your goals at the start of each day or reading for ten minutes before bed.
Next, choose just one daily habit to start with! Write it down – making a plan to incorporate your new daily habit into your life.
Build on with additional habits when you’re ready. As you find success, you’ll notice that incorporating more positive habits gets easier. And the best part is: small actions lead to big results!
3. Interrupt negative thoughts
Making an intentional effort to shift our thoughts when they get out of line is key to our overall happiness. Thoughts are powerful. If left unchecked, they can send us into a downward spiral of negativity.
You may not realize it, but you have the power to significantly impact your mindset and resulting emotions!
Start now by making a conscious effort to be more mindful of your thoughts. When you feel defeated, don’t let the self-doubt and second-guessing come in! Redirect your thoughts by shifting your focus to the progress you’ve made or something you’re grateful for. By doing so, you are essentially blocking negative and toxic emotions – filling the space with positive thoughts instead.
4. Learn something new every day
At Day Designer, we’re big cheerleaders of continuous personal growth and development. Are you learning and taking on new things that move you forward in life? Remember – personal development is a lifelong pursuit.
Start by acknowledging what you already know. You undoubtedly have an incredible foundation of wisdom on which to build. Then, identify areas of interest and seek out ways to learn!
No matter what you decide to go after, the opportunities to stretch your skills and challenge your views are limitless! Browse books, courses, podcasts, videos – and plan some time to dive into your topic of choice.
A side bonus is that engaging your mind boosts your self-esteem. Whatever it is that you learn along the way could lead to new relationships, your dream job, or an endless number of other opportunities!
5. Spend time with your favorite people
Stronger connections with those who matter most to you will elevate your life in ways that cannot be matched by other endeavors. Relationships of all kinds require time and effort. It’s a simple formula: When someone matters to you, spend time with them – whether it’s on the phone, via FaceTime, or in person!
Having close relationships in life helps you feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally. Set aside time every day and week to be with those you care about – and to be fully present.
• • •
At Day Designer, we’re here to help you elevate your life! We have created effective planning tools that enable you to create more time for what you need and want out of life. After all, you deserve it!
Are you ready to elevate your life? Which tip from the list above will you start with?