Why do we know what to do but go right ahead to do the opposite anyway?
Is it human nature? Welp! That’s a story for another day. Today, we will focus on how to achieve the simple life even though we live in probably one of the most unstable countries in the world with your limited resources and your limited time.
- Learn to Respond LATE to Annoying Statements
Be patient to listen, and if at all you would respond to some annoying statements, take some time to do so. Any time someone on the internet says something that upsets you, wait at least a few hours to respond. Odds are, you won’t even care a few hours later. After following this habit for a few weeks, you’ll notice that even that initial angry reaction isn’t as powerful as it used to be. - Exercise
Just a few minutes of pushups, planks and air squats every morning can help you “wake up” for the day and still fight off fat that always seems to creep in while you’re busy with life. - Make a To-Do List
Live an organized life. Every evening, practice until it becomes habit to make your to-do list for the next day- then forget about it. It’s hard to enjoy your evening when you’re constantly thinking about the next day. It’s also hard to be productive when you don’t have your day planned out. Solve both of those problems by putting together a to-do list, then setting it aside until the next day and allowing yourself to enjoy your evening. - Check Up on Old Friends
Every time you log onto your social networks, send a message to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. It’s easy to put off getting in touch with old friends you’ve been meaning to reconnect with. This habit makes staying in touch almost automatic. - Get Hard Tasks Done
Do the task you’re LEAST looking forward to at the beginning of every day. Until you get that one big thing done, it’ll be nagging at the back of your mind all day. Get it done, and you’ll feel better for the rest of the day. - Learn to Respond LATE to Annoying Statements
Be patient to listen, and if at all you would respond to some annoying statements, take some time to do so. Any time someone on the internet says something that upsets you, wait at least a few hours to respond. Odds are, you won’t even care a few hours later. After following this habit for a few weeks, you’ll notice that even that initial angry reaction isn’t as powerful as it used to be. - Check Yourself Before You Judge Others
When you notice a trait or habit you dislike in other people, ask yourself if you have that trait/habit as well. Focusing in on other people’s flaws is usually thought of as a bad habit, but it can be a great self-improvement tool if you use it as an opportunity for introspection. Learn to ask yourself, Do I do that too?
8. What’s The Worst That Could Happen?
Conquer your fears. Ask yourself what’s the worst that can happen, then create a simple plan to deal with it if and when it happens. Our fears are most powerful when they remain vague. They tend to vanish once we name them and know that we have a way of confronting them. So do that presentation, pitch that idea and walk up to that girl. This life is not that hard.
9. Set a Positive Expectation of People
When meeting someone new, assume the attitude of “I hope I like you.”. Compare this to the neediness of “I hope you like me,” or the negativity of “I hope you’re not a jerk.” You won’t like everyone, but it pays to set a positive expectation and look for people’s best qualities.
10. Stay Hydrated
Drink at least 8 glasses of water every day. Most people are chronically dehydrated and they don’t even know. Just drink water and be happy.
11. Eat Vegetables
Eat your vegetables before the rest of the meal. Vegetables are the one food group most people don’t get enough of, and they’re disproportionately filling for how few calories they have. By filling up on vegetables, you can use them to “crowd out” less healthy foods. Eg More efo than poundo, more oha than eba.
12. Acknowledge Efforts
Share credit wherever you can. Any time you work with others, go out of your way to acknowledge their contributions. Sharing credit almost never diminishes you, and it’s always remembered by others.
13. Respect Opinions Even If You Don’t Agree
When a group you’re in has to make a decision, make sure everyone’s opinion is heard. Some people will actively solicit their own opinions. Others won’t unless they’re asked. Be the person in the group who makes sure everyone’s voice is heard.
14. Seek Out Positive Stories
Seek out good news. Based on the network news, you’d only see the world falling apart. It isn’t, well, not completely. Look closer- crime and disease are going down, education and life expectancy are going up, and the world is not where it was ten years ago, but you’d never know that just from watching the news. Seek out positive stories to balance out the media’s negativity.
15. Look for The Best In Everyone
All good people have a little bad and all bad people have a little good. Look for everyone’s best quality. If you look for a reason to hate someone, you’ll find it. If you look for a reason to like someone, you’ll find it as well.
16. Find True Confidence
Just like how you need to pretend to sleep before you actually sleep, adopt the body language of a happy, confident person to feel happy and confident. Stand up straighter and you’ll feel more confident. Lean back, and you’ll feel more relaxed. Smile and you’ll feel happier. By controlling your body, you can control your mind.
Arrange your life and you will find that you’re the one influencing your group your home and a community even.
Bonus: Learn to live on less.
Declutter your home, don’t buy! buy! buy! but Repurpose, Recycle and Rihanna, close those tabs you claim you’ll return to, unfollow and block negativity in your life and just live.