(My top 3 SIMPLE daily practices revealed!)
They say it takes 21 days to form a habit. But I’ve found that when certain practices create instant results, it takes a whole lot less time to make them a way of life. The beginning of a new year is a great time of year to form new habits, so I’ve decided to share with you my 3 most powerful personal daily practices – the ones that I credit with massive transformation in my own life.
Yes, two of these involve journaling, but before you check out let me just tell you that I used to be averse to journaling too. Who has the time? But – not only is the journaling that I am recommending super low-investment from a time perspective – the results are profound. I dare you to try it for a week and see how you feel.
(Tip: Sometimes I just key my thoughts right into my Blackberry or iPhone if I forget or don’t have my journal handy. What’s important is not HOW you do it but THAT you do it!)
1. Wake Up to Gratitude: Keep a journal next to your bed, and every morning as soon as you get up, write down at least 3 things you are grateful for. That’s right, do this BEFORE the day begins. What opportunities lie before you that day? What challenges will provide you with growth and learning? What conversations will you have? Who might you deepen a connection with? You can of course include practical things like a cozy bed, your health, etc., but I find it much more powerful to express gratitude for the experiences and opportunities that I am about to step into. I call it anticipatory gratitude, and it totally changes the way I approach the day.
2. Get Your Pleasure Fix: Every day, eat one thing or do one thing that gives you pleasure, for no other reason than pure enjoyment. For example, I eat a Dove dark chocolate square or a Trader Joe’s dark chocolate peanut butter cup every day after lunch. And I don’t just eat it, I SAVOR it. I put all my attention on the taste and texture and experience of that dark chocolate melting in my mouth. For you it might be a bubble bath, 5 minutes of relaxation, or reading a chapter of a trashy novel…. The only requirements are that it gives you pleasure and that you do it without guilt. You deserve pleasure, yes, every day!
3. Go Out On A High Note: Each evening, before you go to bed, write down at least 3 things that you are celebrating from the day. What are you really proud of? Where did you show up powerfully? What self-care strategies did you practice? Did you maintain your patience in the face of frustration? Did you stop eating when you were full? Did you have a new awareness about yourself? Whatever it is that you feel good about or that you accomplished that day – celebrate your successes.
You see, what you focus your attention on expands. It’s so easy for us to get caught up in what’s missing, what’s gone wrong or even our own shortcomings, and the end result is that we constantly feel a sense of scarcity, lack and limitation. By shifting your focus to the good stuff, you’ll rapidly start to see even more good stuff all around you. And with these steps, it’s as easy as 1-2-3!
