7 Ways To Change Your Life
7 Ways To Change Your Life
Are you ready to change your life?
First off - here’s an amazing freebie for you! Grab your copy of your BEST YEAR EVER PLANNER and use it to follow along.
2021 is almost here friends! If you’re like me - you’ll jump on any excuse for a fresh start. New notebook, new week… there’s nothing like starting something new to give you motivation, a new perspective and maybe even a little hope.
2020 gave so many of us a new perspective. In the coming year I’ll be focusing on being more intentional with my reflection. I’m going to be slowing down to speed up by reflecting daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly. I’m not looking to make a huge time commitment here (my daily reflections are only going to be a couple of minutes!) - but I’m excited to see how bringing intentionality to this practice will change my results, outlook and focus. Stay tuned for a post on reflection coming soon, but in the meantime - here are 7 great ideas for how you can change your life and start fresh in 2021.
#1 Keep An Eye on Your Thoughts
If you’re struggling with making decisions, moving forward and breaking out of bad habits, try paying close attention to your thoughts. It might be time for a mindset shift.
Our thoughts directly dictate our feelings, which then spur us into actions - which give us our results. Basically if your life was a road trip - your thoughts are programming the GPS.
So take a moment to think about that programming. Are you finding yourself stuck? What’s the thought that’s keeping you there? Do you really want to start something but are struggling to take that first step? What thought is holding you back? Are your thoughts negative or positive? Do they support what you want in your life or sabotage it?
If you find yourself hesitating, holding back, or shying away from what you really want - take a minute to find out what thought is underlying those decisions. Once you figure that one piece out - EVERYTHING will change.
#2 Be intentional
Once you’ve got your thoughts sorted - intentionality will take you to exactly where you want to be. So make sure you know where that is! Take a minute to plan out exactly what you want for the year ahead so you have a clear direction and action plan to make it happen. Ask yourself these two questions:
What do you want to create?
Who do you want to serve?
If you’re looking for more tips and tricks to get intentional this year - check out this free workbook, with 14 pages, countless exercises and a whole lot of inspiration to help you plan your best year ever.
You can also click on the image below to snag your copy:
#3 Read
Reading is an amazing (and enjoyable!) way to change your life. Learn new things, broaden your understanding and expand your perspective! If you’re looking to level up this year, reading is a great place to start.
Set aside a certain time every day to read a few pages.You could incorporate an inspirational biography or business book into your morning routine - or finish your day with a book on gratitude or spirituality. Don’t focus too much on how much you read at a time - even 5 pages a day over the course of a year ads up (that’s 1,825 pages!!).
Create a list of books you want to read in 2021 and get started! If you’re looking for pointers or inspiration head over to this post for my personal recommendations on books to up-level your personal growth.
Now’s a great time to add those books to your Christmas List!
#4 Reflect
Reflection is the fastest way to see greater results.
Sound counterintuitive? I get it! But think about it as slowing down to speed up.
Even taking a minute or two at the end of each day to ask yourself the following questions will keep you moving forward, making a difference and seeing results:
What did I do today that moved me closer to my goal?
What did I learn today that I can apply going forward?
What one thing will make the biggest impact tomorrow?
Set a timer in your phone and try this daily check in for one week. You will be blown away at how much more you get done, and how on top of things you feel!
#5 Create a Self Care Routine
With the holidays almost upon us - things are going to get a bit crazy. Between all the competing priorities it can be hard to maintain a self care routine. Instead of adding more onto an already full plate - focus on making a self care routine that is automatic, impactful and simple.
How can you automate a self care routine? I suggest tying it to an existing daily ritual. Think of something you do every day, without hesitation, that you could link some self care to. Do you walk to your car after work? How about adding an extra lap around the block to think about things that make you happy? Brush your teeth? How about taking 5 deep breaths before you start brushing?
Remember, a self care routine should give back to you (body, mind and soul) instead of taking more time, energy and resources. Don’t over complicate things with a huge ritual of “self care” items you have to check off a list.
Focus on what makes the most impact for you - even if that’s lighting a great candle while you make your coffee in the morning, or listening to a hilarious podcast on your drive into work!
#6 Practice Gratitude
Gratitude can completely shift your perspective, making it a great way to change your life!
Consider experimenting with gratitude in 2021, so you can incorporate it into your life in a new and fresh way.
Keep an eye out for gratitude challenges you can join in January. If you’re introverted, start a daily practice of a gratitude journal (there are some great prompts out there if you get stuck!). If you’re extroverted - try exchanging what you are grateful for with a friend on a regular basis or put your gratitude out into the world with regular social media sharing.
#7 Re-set one habit
Do you have a habit that maybe isn’t in your best interest?
We all do… but changing habits can seem overwhelming. I suggest starting small and looking for those ‘little wins’. What’s ONE habit you could change on a daily basis that would start to compound into bigger results?
Think about how amazing it would feel to successfully change that one little habit. Would it inspire you to change another slightly larger habit? You see where I’m going with this don’t you! Start small, use the success from accomplishing that little win as encouragement to tackle the next habit on your list. Before you know it, you’ll feel confident enough to make some big changes.
I hope you’ve found these 7 ways to change your life inspiring and helpful! If you missed any of the free resources in this blog - be sure to check them out below!
All the best,
Xx Justine
P.S. Here’s that FREE WORKBOOK with 14+ pages to help you plan an amazing year.
P.S.S. Ready to up your reading game? Here’s a link to some recommendations to get you started!