9 Simple Actions to Change Your Life
“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily.” ~John C Maxwell
When envisioning your goals and dreams, don’t forget about the daily small steps that will pave the way for you getting there. Many people have observed that: Our success results from the sum of our daily habits and routines. Habits of thought create habits of action.
In my years as being an executive and personal coach I have seen how small positive changes can result in significant positive changes in the lives and work of my clients. One shining example is my client who intentionally began introducing positivity practices, such as being more appreciative, focusing on her team’s strengths, smiling more herself, in her business and has now been selected as one of the top 30 businesses in the nation in her industry.
I decided to compile a list or a daily plan that entailed the small things that make the biggest difference in creating a successful life.
They are as follows:
1. Smile when you wake up: Practicing an attitude of positivity, starting the moment we awake in the morning can dramatically shift our day. Scientific American has reported that when we flex our smile muscles it lights up the happy center of our brain.
2. Express gratitude: In Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier, psychologist Robert Emmons describes how the benefits of expressing gratitude range from better physical health, especially improved cardiovascular health, to improved mental alertness. People who express gratitude are more likely to be emotionally supportive of others, too.
3. Use your strengths: People who consciously use their strengths are more likely to create positive habits, produce successful results and in turn enjoy their work. They are also more likely to have clarity, take action and overcome challenging obstacles.
4. Do something fun: We have to create space for joy and leisure in our lives, by doing something we love every single day we invite creativity and happiness into our day.
5. Practice kindness and appreciation: Bottom line, the kinder we are to ourselves and others the happier we are. The more we learn to appreciate those around us the greater we can connect and solve problems. Don’t forget that emotions are contagious!
6. Get some sunlight: Sunlight is vital to our overall health and well-being, take a 5 minute break and sit in the sun to rejuvenate your mind and body.
7. Exercise or move: Our body requires daily movement to perform at it’s optimum. Studies have shown that by adding in 15 minutes of exercise into your daily routine can make a huge difference.
8. Spend some time in nature: Studies published in the June 2010 issue of the Journal of Environmental Psychology showed that being outside in nature for just 20 minutes a day was enough to significantly boost vitality levels.
9. Learn or do something new: When we do new activities we allow new neural pathways in our brain to be created which keeps us younger and sharper.
If you put all of these activities into your daily routine then you are truly preparing yourself for success in your day, putting on the pathway to success. Don’t let the big picture overwhelm you, stick to these small daily activities and watch what happens in your life.
To help you along the way I offer a free StrengthsFinder Assessment to put into practice number 3 on my list. Please contact me today to schedule yours.
Leave me a comment and let me know what you will implement today!
Appreciatively,
Lynn K Jones
Related blogs –
See more at: Giving Thanks
See more at: Using Your Strengths at Work to Reach Goals and Increase Well-Being
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Dr. Lynn K. Jones is a Board Certified Coach and an Advanced Certified Personal and Executive Coach based in Santa Barbara, California and a sought after coach and consultant for organizations and individuals across the US. Her doctoral work completed at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University concerned organizational culture; she coaches, consults and trains organizations on what they need to do to create organizational cultures that are aligned with their vision and values using a process of Appreciative Inquiry. She coaches individuals on achieving their reflected best selves. A MSW@USC faculty member, Dr. Lynn K. Jones, MSW, DSW, CSWM, teaches Human Behavior and Social Environment and Leadership to social work students at the University of Southern California.
Thanks for the tips Lynn. I, too, have seen amazing results from small actions.
AmyOrozco I know. If you can just get started that is the key. It only takes a small step as it turns out to get started!
Appreciatively,
Lynn
Hi Dr. Lynn,
I thought I’d comment on one of the points, “use your strengths.” Over the last few years I’ve tried going to various gyms to get regular workouts. Even though I am an organized person, I wasn’t finding my strength in getting there and doing what needed to be done.
I realized I didn’t enjoy it at all and needed to find more community and enjoyment. So I’d keep trying. So using your “exercise and move” and “have fun” points I found a local CrossFit. It seemed like a terrible idea with the weight lifting and whatnot, but I tried it anyway. It was fun, I found community and now I use my strength in being organized to get myself there, have fun, get exercise and feel better.
Your points are quite good.
Calla Gold Awesome, Calla! I am sure your positivity adds a lot of fun to the class that is appreciated by the others!
Lynn
DrLynnKJones Calla Gold It does work out well. I’m positive and the people around me are too. We encourage each other.
Starting my morning with a smile really sets the pace for my day. If I wake up not feeling too happy and optimistic about the day ahead of me, then I notice that I go through the entire day feeling negative. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. So when people overlook that essential first step, it makes all the difference for the day ahead. Great list of actions; easy to do, but often forgotten.
SBMatchmaking You have a beautiful smile. I am sure that you not only brighten up your day but others around you!
Appreciatively,
Lynn
Thank you for this list, Lynn! I agree with all of them. My favorite is #5. Our world would change if we all focused on this. Being kind, gentle, appreciative, and loving just creates softness and light wherever they’re spread. As a therapist, I so often hear people being harsh and critical with themselves. This colors their world and their worldview. Keep spreading your positivity! The world will benefit!
Linda
LindaMenesez It is a team effort, Linda. Thanks for all you do!
Appreciatively,
Lynn
Dr. Lynn,
This is a beautiful post and a great list to live by. I’ve been trying to change some small bad habits of mine lately in order to move on to making bigger changes. Ideally I would like to successfully change my life altogether. However, I’ll do really well for a while then I’ll relapse. I don’t know what changes occur that make this happen. Your words have motivated me to believe that it is possible and more importantly that I can do it. I will use this list as a blue print and give it another shot. Thank you.
Hi Dr. Lynn Jones,
This is a wonderful post. I will try to implement the smalls steps of daily exercise, smiling 1st thing in the morning and being kind to myself, use my strengths and do something fun each day. I believe these steps will lead to a positive spiral in my life.
As a side note, I love your blog in addition to your phone life coaching sessions. They make me excited about living. You are a great Certified Life Coach. Your blog and articles give us so much food for thought AND ideas for action.
Thank you!
This is such great advice Lynn and I think these are points that you just can’t hear enough. Even for people that are well aware of this, it can be important to be reminded every so often. I give my clients a lot of the same advice that you give in this post and I can tell you, it really has a positive effect on those who take it to heart.