Happy New Year! I just could not start this year without telling you about some things that I do regularly that I know would be a game changer for you if you implement them at the top of the year.
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Routine
“Routine, in an intelligent man, is a sign of ambition.” That’s a quote by W.H. Auden.
Routine gets a baadddd rap but I want to stretch your mind here.
The science behind it is that our neurons make connections when we repeatedly do tasks. With repetition, the connections get stronger and the brain is easily able to activate those connections.
The more you do something, the less your brain has to work in order for you to do it. The key to routine is that you have multiple routines and you mix them up.
Separating your week into categories helps to prevent you from feeling bored. Everyday is a different routine.
Reading
“People who don’t read have no advantage over people who can’t read.”
A common theme of successful people is that they read. Bill Gates reads about 50 books per year. Mark Cuban reads more than three hours a day. And Warren Buffet spends 80% of his day reading.
If you want to start reading more I would suggest figuring out which genre you like and finding a well reviewed book that interests you in that genre. Then set aside some time to read each week.
Start small. Maybe set a goal to read a chapter a day or two read for a set time each day.
Journaling
Journaling has become one of my secret weapons. It is hands down one of the most effective tools and practices for me on my journey with purpose.
French philosopher who describes journaling as a “weapon for spiritual combat” and I use it for exactly that.
Journaling is a strategy that has helped brilliant, powerful and wise people become better at what they do.
Here are some tips to help you get started journaling:
- Start small. Try jotting down one significant thing per day.
- Only write as much as you want. There is no need to feel compelled to fill up an entire page. When I realized this it really freed me from feeling anxious and stressed about filling up an entire page each day.
- Make it part of your routine. Try to incorporate journaling as a part of your morning meditation or evening quiet time. Insert it wherever it fits best.
Gratitude
Gratitude is simply thankfulness. Here are some benefits of Gratitude:
- It improves your overall outlook.
- There was a study published that linked gratitude to an improvement in physical health, noting that grateful people experience less aches and pains
- Gratitude reduces negative emotions like jealousy, envy, resentment, frustration and aggression
- Grateful people even sleep better. A 2011 study found that writing in a gratitude journal improves sleep.
- You can keep a gratitude journal and list things you are grateful for.
- You can meditate on 5 things you are grateful for.
- Or you can do a random act of kindness for a stranger, friend, or loved one
Sleeping
In the productivity episode with Dr. Asha we discussed rest. And thank God Dr. Asha leaned into the nudge of the Holy Spirit and explained the difference between sleep and rest. Some of us lump them together and that isn’t quite right.
In the episode about my favorite books of 2020, I mentioned the book Essentialism, which discusses sleep and how “the best asset we have for making a contribution to the world is ourselves,” so we must “protect the asset,” which of course is us.
The thing is, there are some people who can survive on fewer hours of sleep but a majority of people are just so used to being tired that they have forgotten what it really feels like to be fully rested.
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Disclaimer: If you happen to purchase anything I recommend in this or any of my communications, it’s likely I’ll receive some kind of affiliate compensation. Still, I only recommend things that I truly believe in and have personally experienced. If you ever have an issue with anything I recommend, please let me know. My goal is to help you thrive in your purpose. — Pavielle