5 Little Things

You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. the secret of your success is found in your daily routine.

John C. Maxwell

It’s not all unicorns and butterflies. Yes, I have figured out a way to not limit myself or my goals, but boy do I still have bad days. Days when I’m exhausted before I even get out of bed, or I’m overwhelmingly sad or anxious. Days when I do not want to get out of bed. But staying in bed isn’t going to get me to my goals. So I have 5 things that I have to do everyday to make me feel like I have accomplished what I need to in a day, in order to get to my ultimate goals. So how did I choose the 5 little things?

1. Don’t include things that are already habits. I already brush my teeth everyday so it does not need to be on MY list.
2. Think of things you would like to make habits.
3. Think of things that are building blocks to getting to your goals.
4. Be realistic. Think of things you can accomplish EVERYday.
5. Remember to do things for yourself.

A good way to start this process is to think of a day that was a really good day for you. What things did you accomplish that made it a good day. Eliminate the things that are already habits. Take a look at what is left. Which of these tasks are related to your ultimate goal? If you are still over 5 tasks, think of the goals your want to accomplish first. And finally, WRITE THEM DOWN.

1. DRINK MY KETO COFFEE: This task gets me out of bed, assessment in my weight loss, and gives me energy for my day.
2. COMPLETE ONE CLEANING CHORE: This task helps me and my household. I am a firm believer that a clean home helps clear your mind, plus it’s generally good for your well being to live in a clean space. AND I have 3 dogs and a cat, there is a lot of hair.
3. GET DRESSED: I have a full time job, but I also have a side hustle that I work from home. I love to be comfortable, I love to be in my PJs. But if I stay in my PJs I tend to stay in bed, and inevitably nap on and off all day. In order to reach my financial goals and complete my other daily tasks, I must get dressed.
4. READ (OR LISTEN): My aunt, who I admire very much for many reasons including her professional acclaims, once told me “Leaders are readers.” Most of my life, I have hated reading, I always fell asleep and I was so slow. The number of books that I’ve read, cover to cover, every word, was probably 5. No joke. Forever, I convinced myself that reading was hard and boring, until I started doing it consistently. Now I read everyday, non-fiction for now, self-help for the most part. Things that I feel will empower me, or give me new skills. My commitment is to read 10 pages or 15 minutes everyday. Reading is a skill that can be developed and the benefits to reading are endless. Heck! It’s was reading 1 book that got me started on this path to entrepreneurship.
5. GO OUTSIDE: Everyday I just get outside. Now I certainly don’t mean I need to go out into the wilderness. I mean just stepping foot outside my door and if I’m lucky into the sunlight. Getting outside is the first step to getting many things done in my day.

These 5 little things are not groundbreaking, but they make me feel good and inch me closer to my larger goals. They are 5 things that I can totally get done in any day, even one that feels overwhelming. There is no timeline to these tasks. You have all day (I mean I try to drink my coffee in the morning, and generally get dressed before going outside). Just get them done EVERYday however you can.

Re-evaluate the 5 things every once in awhile. Again there is no timeline. See what things have turned into habits and replace those tasks with something new, or recommit to a habit you feel is slipping away.

Finally, 100% success, EVERYday is the goal, but not crucial. Look I get it, there are days when nothing feels possible, but having these 5 little things is somewhere to start. And if you miss 1 or 2 thins in one day, “oh well!” The world will not end! You are not a failure, you are HUMAN! Try again the next day.

Let’s recap!

• 5 things you want to do everyday
• try to complete them everyday
• if you do do them one day, forgive yourself
• when you finish your tasks each day, congratulate yourself, be proud. Tell your best friend, your spouse, your dog, ME, that you did it!

I have to give myself credit. I am capable of much more than I expected. Mostly because I didn’t even give myself a chance to try.