More often than not, our days become centered on doing things for other people. Whether it’s a project for work or helping out a friend, it’s far too easy to base your days around others’ demands.
While it’s great to support others (and something I fully advocate for), you shouldn’t let your life get so far off-track that you aren’t able to do some vital habits for your own success.
Here are some of the things ultra-successful individuals make time for daily in order to improve, and you should too:
Take a breather.
Our Get Stuff Done Culture frames relaxation as something optional, when it’s actually nearly as essential as water or oxygen. Studies show that regular R&R boosts long-term productivity, while powering through in the face of burnout does the exact opposite.
Most people mistakenly shelve R&R for the sake of productivity, but you shouldn’t be one of them. I’m certainly not advocating for daily happy hours or trips to the beach; but you do need to make time for sleep and mental decompression.
If you’re struggling to relax every day, it’s time to reframe it as something necessary. Put it in the calendar or turn off your phone if you have to.
Practice being your future self.
How often have you wanted to get in shape, or learn a new language, only to save it for “Future You?”
We’re all guilty of self-sabotaging the ideal versions of our lives for the sake of in-the-moment demands. The problem with this lies in the fact that most people never actually get around to practicing or becoming their ideal self.
That’s why Harvard Business Experts recommend you treat practicing your future self as non-negotiable. Never let your life get so off-track that your ideal goals become a distant dream. This can be a simple as ensuring you spend 15 minutes learning Spanish daily or as in depth as going back to school – the key is that you’re taking concrete steps to turn dreams into realities.
Now’s the time to start meditating.
Meditation is no longer reserved for new-age people with too much free time – even mega-corporations like Google are starting to catch on to its positive effects. I could write an entire article on the swath of benefits – but a few include increased happiness, reduced stress, and boosted concentration.
You don’t have to spend hours imitating a monk, either. Meditation can be as simple as taking five or so minutes to be mindful of your surroundings and feelings. There are plenty of free resources online to help you get started, too.
The bottom line:
You need to make time to further your success and well-being daily, because no one else will. Start with a few minutes a day, and you’ll be amazed at how much you’re able to improve.
Do you have any other things to add to this list? Give me a shoutout on Twitter!
