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.