The topic of “how to change your life” is covered in hundreds of articles, books, podcasts, and YouTube videos. Many of them aim to miraculously improve everything, from finding the ideal companion to landing the ideal career to shedding a significant amount of excess weight. All of those activities should ideally take place in a single day.

However, even if we like happy endings in novels, such things seldom really happen that way since we are grownups. The only thing we can do is try to make them happen. Make thoughtful choices about how we spend our time, regardless of what any of us defines as “well.”

In this post, I’ll discuss ten strategies that I use to improve my life on a daily basis. What gives me the impression that I manage my time well, that I make the best decisions, and that it helps me remember this at the end of the day: “Yes, it was a good day.”

1. Rising daily at six in the morning

My list’s first live changer. My day was more organized than previously since I got up at six in the morning every day and didn’t sleep off on the weekends. I chose to try 6 AM after realizing that 5 AM club is too early for me, and it seemed ideal. I never had any trouble rising early, but I wanted to go back to the routine because I missed it. I discovered how many things I can accomplish before beginning my workday after making this adjustment, and it’s lovely. Yes, it may be more difficult in the autumn and winter when the days are short and it’s gloomy or dreary outdoors for a lot of the day (it certainly is in Poland), but it’s worth it.

Consider one item you often claim you don’t have time for when you’re questioning whether you can do this. This is the activity you may engage in when you rise early. It may be 5 AM, 5:30 AM, or 7:30 AM instead of 6 AM. Your decision is based on your life and all of the tasks you have to do during the day. Start fifteen minutes sooner than normal. And do it every day. Because you don’t allow yourself a chance to control your day cycle, sleeping off on the weekends is the worst thing you can do to your body.

2. Meditation and exercise in the morning

I try to do as much as I can in the first part of the day since my profession requires me to work in many time zones and I naturally have more energy in the morning than in the evening.

I developed a 5-minute meditation routine by including it into my already-existing morning exercise. Charles Duhigg’s excellent book “The Power of Habit” has further information about forming positive habits.

Depending on the weather and other commitments, I work out six times a week with one day off in between. I then meditate for five minutes, which is the longest I can currently concentrate on my thoughts. It provides me with energy and strength for the remainder of the day, and when I need to relax after a demanding workday, I don’t have to worry about this region.

3. Journaling briefly with two lists of gains

I found that journaling—even if it’s only one page a day—gives my ideas and experiences from the day the structure I need. And after reading the fantastic book “The Gap and the Gain” by Ben Hardy and Dan Sullivan, I added something more. It’s a really easy activity.

List the accomplishments from yesterday. Even if it’s something really little, like reading five pages of a book, getting up fifteen minutes earlier than usual, or taking your vitamins, list everything you’ve accomplished. Everything counts. Give yourself credit for all of your daily accomplishments.

Next, name the three improvements you want to accomplish today. It may have an impact on every aspect of your life, including relationships, employment, professional growth, emotional, physical, and digital or financial well-being. Decide on three goals—neither more nor less—and concentrate on completing them. The next morning, you’ll assess your progress.

Mornings work better for me, but you can also do this in the evening (the writers discuss nights, after the current day is over and before beginning the new one in the morning). Spend five minutes making your own decision; it will be worthwhile.

4. Setting daily, weekly, monthly, and annual objectives

I have a very organized personality. I adore creating plans and figuring out how to get there, and I detest untidy, indecisive individuals.

Ben Hardy’s book “Being Your Future Self Now” introduced me to the concept of setting five-year goals, which include selecting three aspects of your life or three things you want to do and making every effort to reach them. For years, I have used the monthly list of experiences, which was created by Polish author Edyta Zajac (you can see her work in PL HERE), and I have linked it to my daily objectives (gains). It has been really effective for me. After making all the connections, I set distinct objectives for various time frames while keeping my larger 5-year goals in mind. In this manner, I can make sure that I use my time effectively and don’t waste it on things that won’t help me get closer to my goals. You can do more with less if you make the adjustment.

5. Having time for in-depth work

One of the worst habits of our time is being preoccupied. Every day, millions of pieces of information—messages, alerts, calls, Teams, and Slack chats—enter our minds. They are so many that we are unable to concentrate on completing a single task. There is no such thing as multitasking. We are able to swiftly switch between tasks, but we are not able to manage two tasks at once with the same level of attentiveness.

For this reason, I decided to schedule time on my calendar for deep work, following advice from Cal Newport’s excellent book “Deep Work.” I have them every day, and I seldom ever schedule anything else during that time—no calls, meetings, etc. Using the time as efficiently as possible, I go over each of my daily objectives one at a time. In this manner, I can work smarter, not harder, and accomplish more with less.

6. Consuming nutritious food

I changed my diet to keep my head healthy and focused in addition to my body. I stopped eating meat, processed foods, most alcohol, and 90% of confectionery (though I sometimes have a piece of handmade cake). In this manner, I take better care of myself, get more energy from healthy food sources, and ensure that my body isn’t being treated like a garbage can. My body isn’t focused on digesting at night, thus I sleep better when I eat my largest meal between 1-2 PM. You may start by eliminating one unhealthy item from your diet. You’ll notice results in no time.

7. Maintaining borders

We take care of our brains, thoughts, and needs in order to maintain our mental well-being. More about the many kinds of well-being may be found HERE. Setting limits is essential for self-care, even if we haven’t done so in the past. It’s perfectly OK to say “no” to things that aren’t our duty, that aren’t helping us reach our objectives, or that other people consider to be “normal.” It’s smart to always act with good intentions, not to harm others, but to protect oneself.

Another way to avoid being distracted during heavy work is to turn off your smartphone’s alerts. Here, your goal is to safeguard your time and demands, and you should make sure that others around you know why. And that hurting or pushing them away is not against their will. This is the tale of you, your wants, and your objectives. Continue even if the surroundings first don’t get it and are shocked or upset. After you make the adjustment, they will become used to your new self.

8. Read as much as you can

One of my top five values is lifelong learning. I educate people, and in order to do it effectively, I must learn more, choose what is helpful, and impart to them the core of what matters most. One of my favorite methods to increase my knowledge, make connections between what I learn, and give my thoughts shape and purpose is to read.

What you read doesn’t actually matter. It might be a research, a novel, a paper, an essay, a developmental book, or any kind of record. Everything is well because you have trained your brain to concentrate on a narrative or piece of information that you want to learn.

9. Making time for loved ones

We spend the most of our time with an average of five individuals, according to what I wrote yesterday. And I think so. We may select how much time we spend with our parents and what is worth the commitment, but sometimes we are unable to determine who they are.

I write to my pals, see them often, and speak with my parents every day. I provide ideas, pictures, and links to worthwhile reading. Even though my spouse claims that I’m always very busy and don’t have time for him, I still make an effort to be attentive of our time together. Make the most of the quality time, even if it is just fifteen minutes. Sometimes all we need in life is someone to be with and know they are there for us when we need them, and vice versa. Try to alter your perspective on yourself in relation to others, however, since not all of them are created equal. Who has a positive impact and who doesn’t?

10. Sleeping at the same time each day

I approach going to sleep in the same manner that I approach waking up. I need to get at least seven hours of sleep every day because if I don’t, my brain doesn’t operate well and I always feel like I’m hungover. Having a framework around this is crucial since you need to relax after a busy day. Recharge and be ready for the amazing day that lies ahead of you. Your body and mind will function more effectively as a result of that shift, enabling you to realize your greatest potential.

Disclaimer:

This post is meant only for informative and inspirational reasons and is based on personal experience. It is not medical, psychiatric, or professional advice. Before adopting any nutritional, health, or lifestyle changes, readers are advised to speak with certified authorities. Individual outcomes could differ.