4. Stay Hydrated
By now we’ve all heard the many benefits of drinking water: more energy, clearer skin, better digestion. Of course that doesn’t mean we always follow through. Why not make it a habit to drink a glass of water first thing every morning, or to more water throughout the day? It’s not so much that you need to count your 8 glasses like a punishment, but think of it as a great way to fuel your body.
Dehydration can make us feel hungry, tired and cranky. We eat more, we make poor choices, and we tend to reach for unhealthy beverages (like soda) when we’re dehydrated. Carry a water bottle with you and refill it when you can. Think of how amazing it is that we have access to water nearly all day, every day. There are many places in the world where water is a precious commodity—where water is carried in, tightly conserved, and even fought over. We are so blessed every time we’re able to fill a water bottle with clean, drinkable, fresh H2O whenever we want. Drink it and appreciate it!
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 time for things like exercise, housekeeping, cooking and leisure time can feel a little funny at first, but once it becomes a habit, it’s a great way to get an overall view of your week. Scheduling helps you manage your time wisely, so you can maximize your “rewards” and anticipate your family’s needs.
One great habit to get into is the habit of looking over your calendar and write out your to-do list right before you go to bed. You can go to sleep knowing you have a plan for the next day, and often your subconscious will work out solutions to problems in your sleep.
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. In today’s culture, we talk a lot about “the life you want” and success of the “Me.” We also see a lot of unhappy marriages and a lot of divorce. These things are not always related, of course, but putting the needs of another person before your own really does make a difference.
I’m not saying to be a doormat or to always cave to the demands of your children, but I am saying that in every decision, make it a habit to consider, “Will this keep my children safe, happy and secure? Will this keep my spouse safe, happy and secure, and strengthen our relationship?” If you make it a habit to carefully and purposefully ask these questions first, before jumping into a decision, your entire family will benefit.
Make family time a priority and make your children a priority. 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. Every marriage needs a little one-on-one time, a date night, or some romance to keep that spark alive. Say I love you and mean it—but also make it a habit.
7. Get Up Early
I’m an early-riser. It’s not so much that I’m a morning person, per se, but I find that if I want to achieve everything I set out to do on any given day, getting up early gives me time to get started. It gets me going before I’m faced with family needs and sets the tone and foundation for a successful day.
Set your alarm for the same time every day. Even on weekends. Want to get in the habit of getting up earlier? If you determine the best time and work back in ten-minute increments per week, you’ll be getting up earlier in no time. Get to bed at a similar time each night and if you need more sleep, get to bed earlier (rather than sleeping later). Don’t rob tomorrow of success to fit in another chapter tonight. Instead, put it away until later and let your body get the sleep you need.
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 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 us get a jump on tomorrow. Make it a habit to put out your clothes for tomorrow, be sure lunch is ready to take, and prepare anything you’ll need for breakfast and lay it out the night before. What takes 10 or 15 minutes before bed can take 20 or 30 amidst morning chaos.
Make sure backpacks are ready to go, keys are on the counter and everything is in place for tomorrow’s success. If you make it a habit to be proactive and prepare for what lies ahead, you’ll head off any glitches in the morning. (We all know lost keys can absolutely devastate a schedule and a 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). Simply taking 20 minutes on your lunch break to do a lap around the block, taking the stairs more often, or even parking your car a little farther away from the grocery store can really add up.
If you have a difficult time making moving a habit, there are many apps and devices to help. Check out a fitness tracker, like Fitbit or Nike+ FuelBand. Many fitness trackers can be set to vibrate every hour or less to remind you to stay active. This doesn’t mean you need to work out every half hour or anything. Just move: getting up to get a glass of water or taking a quick jaunt to the copier can add more movement into your life. Make movement a habit.
10. Rest
While putting your family first is important, this doesn’t mean you should completely forgo your own needs. Truly happy, successful people know when they need to take a break and when they need to nurture themselves.
This doesn’t 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. Really think of it as a present. Take the time to focus on it and be mindful.
Connect with a friend for 10 minutes and truly engage in conversation without distraction. Do exercises that you like or go for a walk and admire the world around you. Listen to a song you love or take time to indulge in a magazine, a warm bath, or some long stretches. Savor a piece of dark chocolate or a delicious piece of fruit. 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. It can be hard to find time to nurture yourself, but it’s important. Do it without guilt and enjoy it. First Page
Credit: livingwellspendingless.com
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