I have often heard the story of ships that set out to a destination and then somewhere along the way go off course by one degree. The result was that they end up very far away from their destination. We use that illustration to encourage people to stay on course and beware of small course changes, but I would like to think that this is also a good picture of what we can do when we are desiring change. If we make small changes, over time those changes add up to big gains. We often want to change a habit or improve in some area of our life but we go for the grand gesture and flop when in reality we can make tiny changes that will have a supersized effect on the final result.
Recently I came across this list of 101 short habits that can improve your life on any given day. (101 Very Simple Habits That Will Improve Your Life Today by Bill Murphy Jr)
Here is the challenge: don’t just read the list, choose two a week for the next year and watch the benefits multiply.
Follow up with someone who ghosted you, with no expectations.
Pick up a piece of garbage that you didn't leave.
Ask for something you think might be a little bit more than you'll get.
Forgive somebody for something they didn't even know they did.
Count to five before answering the next question someone asks you. If it helps, say "let me think" before answering.
Leave a couple of dollars for someone to find.
Do something you think someone should thank you for, even if they don't actually thank you.
Eat a piece of fruit.
Ask someone for a book, music, or show recommendation.
Clean out your car.
Write down the names of every new person you met during the last 24 hours that you can remember, and one thing to remember about them if you meet again.
Find a way to introduce yourself a neighbor you don't know.
Pet a dog.
Plan a side hustle.
Make a list of books to read.
Think of two people you can introduce to each other. Then offer to do it.
Accept an apology you were owed but were never given.
Think of the annoying thing you don't want to do today. Then just do it and be done with it.
Clean out the bag you use to commute if you use public transportation.
Get rid of socks that don't have a mate.
If you have kids, say yes to the first thing they ask you to do in the morning (assuming it's not crazy unsafe, etc.).
Make your bed.
Spend enough time in nature to notice a color you didn't see when you first stepped outside.
Take pictures of things you don't want to forget.
Cancel a subscription you don't use.
Learn a phrase in another language.
Buy a lottery ticket. Just one.
Floss.
Throw out or recycle one thing you don't use each day.
Look up the lyrics to a song that you like so you can sing along next time.
Watch something funny.
Say, "I'm sorry but I can't do that" when asked to do something you really don't want to do.
Take a bike ride.
Look for an opportunity to say "you're welcome."
Write down things you accomplished but hadn't planned to.
Use pepper or other seasonings instead of salt.
Tell someone they said something that changed your life.
Plan something fun for the weekend.
Look up what happened on this date in history.
When driving, stop preemptively at crosswalks.
Take five minutes to think about what you'd like to see, do, or accomplish tomorrow.
Pray.
Celebrate a small win.
Plant a tree. Or really anything that will be green eventually.
Think of something you especially like about the way you look. (This is an anecdote for the negative things many of us see when we look the mirror.)
Exercise.
Practice what you'll say the next time you don't know how to keep a conversation going.
Ask for a small favor from someone. (Research shows people appreciate being asked.)
Drink black coffee.
Pay someone an unexpected compliment.
If you’re meeting someone first thing in the morning, bring coffee for both of you.
Look for chances to say "thank you."
Wash your hands. I know you probably already do this, but do it once extra.
Learn about a new piece of technology.
Take a good photo of someone. If it's really good, text it to them.
Think of something beautiful that happened to you years ago.
Read a book, and keep a physical copy -- hard or soft cover -- near where you might watch TV.
Take a few minutes to list as many things as you can that you're thankful for.
Drink a glass of water before you eat or drink anything else.
Install a "read later" extension on your browser.
Make it a habit to reach out to one old friend or colleague per day -- even it's just to say something made you think of them and you want to wish them well.
Delete old social-media posts, or at least make them private.
Plan a vacation. Even if you can't go yet, plan one.
Make a list of things that would make you happy. (I know it's meta to put this item on here, but I've enjoyed this; you will, too.)
Say a prayer for the family of someone who has died.
Tell an employee or colleague who is struggling an easy thing he or she can do to improve.
Take vitamins.
Go out of your way to mentor someone you work with.
Drink another glass of water.
Subscribe to a great daily newsletter.
Track how much you sleep.
Make a list of things to watch so you don't do so mindlessly.
Spend five minutes writing in a journal. But don't stop if you hit five minutes and find you have more to say.
Spent a few minutes stretching.
If you're tempted to make an impulse purchase online, leave it in your cart for 24 hours.
Change your pillow case.
Go outside.
Eat vegetables.
Get rid of your least favorite underwear.
Memorize a joke, so the next time someone asks if you know any, you'll have one.
Keep a running list of new foods you would like to try.
At the start of the day, think about the one goal you'd like to achieve today.
Sing. You can do it in the shower or while driving alone if you're shy.
Try meditation and deep breathing.
Learn a small new way to improve something you use every day.
Water plants. If you don't have plants, get a couple.
Encourage a child.
Go out of your way to check in on someone who is older.
If you can go on a boat, go on a boat.
Delete a bunch of old emails.
Seek out one person who seems in a bad mood and smile or do or say something nice to them.
Write down something you failed at; you'll learn from it and laugh later.
Do something creative -- write, paint, draw -- even if nobody else will ever see it.
Walk somewhere that you might otherwise drive.
Drink more water.
Sleep with your phone out of arm's reach.
Fix something broken.
Go to a human cashier if you can instead of an automated checkout.
Plan meals for the next few days.
Clean up one small thing you might otherwise have overlooked.
Share this list with someone who might enjoy it or benefit from it.
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