People often think you always have to make a major change to have a better life. But that’s not true. Small actions create a bigger impact on our overall well-being and happiness.
Look, life is never easy. It’s so common to feel stuck and aimless, especially when things aren’t going your way, like having a bad day at work or simply feeling unmotivated.
But you can change that. Right now. Today.
I will share ten small ways you can create a better life. These are things that don’t require talent, money, or anything else.
We can all do these things…
1. Stop making excuses
The first step towards any form of improvement is taking accountability for your actions.
Stop blaming your circumstances, other people, or bad luck for where you are in life. It’s true that many things happen to us that are outside of our control. But we shouldn’t let those things stop us from being happy.
You must always believe that your destiny is in your own hands. Whether that’s actually true or not doesn’t matter. Just the belief will make you go through life differently.
The biggest effect is that you will stop making excuses.
Excuses only hold you back from reaching your full potential and living a fulfilling life.
2. Start reading a book
One of the books I often return to is Managing Oneself by Peter Drucker. It’s a small book you can finish in one reading.
This book reminds me to be self-aware of my thought process and instinctive habits. As Drucker said:
“Successful careers are not planned. They develop when people are prepared for opportunities because they know their strengths, their method of work, and their values.”
That’s the great thing about reading. It widens your perspective and helps you know yourself better. I would recommend you pick up a new book – whether it’s for self-improvement of pure enjoyment. And start reading.
This is way better than going back to your phone to scroll.
3. Begin with the end in mind
“Begin with the end in mind,” Stephen Covey famously wrote in his book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
This makes perfect sense. Many goals don’t pan out because they don’t work backward from the end goal. If you want to end up somewhere, how would you get there?
You can execute this mindset in the following ways:
- Want to improve your fitness? What’s the end goal? Want to run a 10K? Compete at a bodybuilding competition? Do a triathlon? Or simply want to stay fit and avoid injuries? All these different outcomes require a totally different exercise regimen.
- Saving for a vacation? How much money do you need? Calculate everything you want from transportation to accommodation to eating out to activities. When are you going on vacation> Now, start saving the amount you need every month.
Having a clear end goal in mind helps give direction and purpose to your actions.
It also gives you a clear goal to aim for, which can be motivating and rewarding when you reach it.
4. Reclaim your time
Time is the currency of our lives. The problem is that time is finite. When it’s spent, then it’s gone forever.
That’s why it’s important that you don’t spend your time on useless things. You become what you focus on.
Start small.
Turn off all your non-essential notifications and avoid using social media as a source of information (because that will likely send you into a doom scroll).
Instead, set designated times for checking your email and social media.
Then prioritize your tasks and focus on the most important ones first. This will help you make the most efficient use of your time.
5. Make your healthy habits non-negotiable
Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep should be non-negotiable.
You might think, “If I watch another episode of this TV show, I should still be able to get 7 hours of sleep.” Why negotiate with yourself like that?
Don’t you love yourself?
If your goal is to get 8 hours, don’t settle for less. Screw that TV show or extra drink at the bar.
You can’t function at your best if you’re neglecting your physical and mental health. And the truth is that we can’t be healthy unless we do healthy things.
6. Learn something new
Never stop learning. Read books, take up courses, learn a new skill. Stay curious and keep growing.
The ancient Stoic, Epictetus, said it well:
“Philosophers warn us not to be satisfied with mere learning, but to add practice and then training. For as time passes we forget what we learned and end up doing the opposite, and hold opinions the opposite of what we should.”
It’s all about pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and being open to new challenges and opportunities.
7. Think about something you feel grateful for
Even on a bad day, there’s always something positive to notice. People tend to focus too much on the negative, missing the positive things around us.
So when you feel like nothing’s going right, try to step back and look at the bigger picture. Appreciate the little things. Changing our focus like this can really boost our well-being.
Start with the small things, like a good cup of coffee or nice weather. And then move on to bigger things like supportive friends or a job you enjoy.
Practicing gratitude can help shift your perspective and bring more positivity into your life.
8. Avoid negative people
The folks around you truly do make a huge impact on your life. As Seneca said:
“Associate with people who are likely to improve you. Welcome those who you are capable of improving.”
Of course, this is easier said than done. But it’s important to recognize when relationships are unhealthy for you.
Whether it’s a friend who constantly puts you down or a significant other who drains you emotionally, these types of relationships negatively impact your well-being.
We all deserve to be surrounded by people who make us feel good about ourselves and encourage personal growth. Don’t be afraid to prioritize your mental and emotional health by cutting out toxic relationships in your life.
9. Do something today that uplifts you
When was the last time you did something small that nourished your soul? We all need it.
For example, every now and then, I spend all day reading. I don’t leave the house. I simply read and take notes. I eat and stretch. But that’s about it. I always feel great during the moment, especially the next day.
If you’ve been stuck indoors for a long time, like your working desk at home or your cubicle in the office, then head out.
Take a walk, preferably in nature, or go for a run. Most times, a simple physical activity gets the job done.
Sometimes, we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life and forget to take care of ourselves. This is your reminder to take a short breather.
10. Finish a lingering task NOW
Just before I started writing this article, I finished a task I really wasn’t in the mood for. It’s Sunday evening after all.
One of my tenants is moving out of my rental property, and I need to send the person a move-out letter. That’s basically a checklist of everything the tenant and I need to do before we wrap up this process.
It’s annoying work, and I’ve been delaying it all week. But as I sat down to journal in the evening, I thought, “I need to get that checklist done.” So I sat down and finished the entire task in 15 minutes.
That’s all I was scared of?! 15 minutes of work!?
You’ll notice this is the case for many annoying tasks in life. They can be done much faster when we don’t overthink and procrastinate for too long.
I get it if you want to procrastinate. I even feel a bit complacent now and then.
But all these tips mean nothing if you don’t act on them.
So start executing now. Not tomorrow, not next week. Now.
