1. Sing and dance when you get up
Yes seriously.
Your mood in your morning routine will carry over to the rest of your day. It’s not rocket science. Make your mood as positive and upbeat as you can. Challenges you face during the day are so much easier to deal with a positive frame of mind.
It doesn’t matter what you play. Just make it something you LOVE singing along to.
For me, I love listening to Cold Chisel’s Khe Sanh and Bruno Mars Locked out of Heaven.
2. Make your bed
This one was popularised by a famous recent commencement speech by Admiral William H. McRaven to the University of Texas.
He says it’s a small win that takes no effort. It gives you early momentum in your day. Even if you go on to have a shitty day, at least you’ll come back home to a nicely made bed. Watch the below from 4.40 to hear this tip.
Tim Ferriss also mentions making your bed in Tools of Titans. Try it for a week.
3. Drink more water
If your pee is dark yellow or worse, then you’re dehydrated. Dehydration affects cognitive ability. It also makes your skin dry and less elastic. Meaning you look tired and older. Drink at least one pint of water on waking up. Two pints is preferable. You’ll feel great and have way more energy throughout the day.
4. Smile all the time
The mind affects the body and the body affects the mind. The physical act of smiling makes you feel better. It releases endorphins and makes you feel happier. Smiling is free and makes you more likeable. Why wouldn’t you smile more?
To get the full benefits, make it a full smile. Feel your eyes crinkle and your facial muscles fully contract.
5. Stand tall more
Like the previous point, the body affects the mind.
Amy Cuddy shows that standing victorious releases testosterone and makes us feel confident. Do the power poses whenever you can throughout the day. I recommend on waking and whenever you go to the toilet.
6. Listen to podcasts
Podcasts open you up to people playing at a higher level than you. Check out this post of my favourite podcasts of 2016.
7. Go for short runs
You don’t need to go on 40 min 5 mile runs to get the benefit of running. Just 2 mile runs, 4-5 times a week is enough to help you lose weight and feel fitter. It means you put less pressure on yourself to get your kit on and start running, meaning you’re less likely to dread the run itself. Check out this post on increasing your Vo2 MAX.
8. Lift heavier
You need to exert yourself at the gym. Strain a bit to push out that rep. Strain the sinews. Lifting heavier improves muscle tone and strength. It improves bone density and prevent osteoporosis. Read this great article by Henry Rollins on why he loves the iron.
Do the 5×5 programme or Victor Pride’s Body of a Spartan programme.
9. Hug and kiss everyday
Hugging and kissing releases oxytocin. This is the Love hormone and it makes you feel warm and fuzzy. It creates and nurtures bonds between humans.Do this every day.
Check out this James Altucher article: 10 Unusual Ways to Release Oxytocin Into Your Life
10. Read more
Education doesn’t stop with school. You’ve got to invest in yourself with lifelong learning. Some of the most successful people in the world read a book a week. Think about that: 52 books a year.
Some prodigious readers (with reading lists) are:
Bill Gates Gates Notes
If you’re not a big reader at the moment, just aim for one book a month. Based on a 300 page book, that’s about 10 pages a day. That should take less than 15 mins a day. Read on the toilet, on your commute, on your lunch break. Make it a habit and reap the rewards.
11. Have the difficult conversations
I can’t remember exactly where I read this one but it’s stuck with me. Your success in life is directly correlated with the number of difficult conversations you’re willing to have. Think about it. Difficult conversations include asking for a raise, beginning a relationship, getting engaged. If you avoid them, you’re heading towards comfortable mediocrity.
Think about conversations you’re putting off. The discomfort is the sign that you’ve got to deal with it. Summon up the courage and initiate the conversation. Start with, “This isn’t easy for me say but….”.
You’ll progress so much faster.
12. Call your loved ones everyday
I do this every day. It doesn’t have to be a long call. Just ask about their day and what they ate for dinner. They’ll appreciate it and you’ll feel good. A daily quick win.
13. Lose excess weight
By definition, ‘excess’ weight is unnecessary, surplus and superfluous. You don’t need it. It is literally weighing you down. Excess weight also makes you less attractive. Lose the excess weight.
It’s not easy but it’s not that hard either.
Cut out your carbs, eat more protein, eat more veg. Don’t drink unnecessary calories.
Do some cardio like running everyday.
14. Work towards a goal everyday
You need a mission. Something to work towards. It might be writing a book. Or making more money. Or creating art. Or looking after your family.
Whatever it is, you should do something each day that furthers that goal. You’ll be satisfied each night before you go to bed that you at least did something.
15. Get rid of unused and unwanted possessions
Your possession end up owning you.
Look at the pile of CDs and DVDs you never use. Look at all the clutter of things you’ve had for years but never use.
Explore minimalism:
16. Clear your wardrobe
You probably wear less than 20% of your wardrobe. The rest are possessions you’ve accumulated and never wear. Just get rid of the stuff you don’t wear.
17. Save more money
You can always save more money. Instead of spending your paycheck and saving what’s left at the end of the month, try saving first after you receive your paycheck, then spending what you’ve budgeted for after saving.
Let me know which of these you’re going to implement in the comments below!
Have I missed anything? Let me know!
On Christmas morning, totally unexpectedly, I received a beautifully wrapped box.
