avatarAlexander Kant

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1963

Abstract

  1. At the end of the day, tell yourself that the day is over.</h2><p id="506d">By stating this clearly to yourself, you signal your unconscious mind that it now can stop its activities. Just like you would calmly and clearly tell a dog to sit down, tell yourself in the same manner that the day has passed and that you can leave it there.</p><h2 id="631c">3. Take a break before you start.</h2><p id="eec2">This might seem very paradoxical, but it helps you to be more effective. Doing the wrong thing is almost always more time consuming than sitting down briefly to take a deep breath and to slow down, getting clear before you start.</p><blockquote id="4629"><p>“Clarity is power. The more clear you are about what you want to achieve, the more likely you are to achieve it.” — Billy Cox</p></blockquote><h2 id="485a">4. Every day, read a page in meditations</h2><p id="ec66">Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius, is arguably the best self-help book ever written. The age-old pages written by the former emperor of the Roman Empire are as relevant today as ever, with adversity always waiting around the corner.</p><p id="cdd7">To make use of Meditations best, I recommend reading one page every day and taking the time to digest what you have read. Sometimes <a href="https://readmedium.com/a-quote-from-meditations-to-improve-your-day-instantly-a8d3f537e0ec">a couple of sentences</a> are enough to keep you learning for a long time.</p><h2 id="4654">5. When reading something that reminds you of someone, send that person a text and a photo of what you are reading.</h2><p id="d851">This is an amazing way to stay in touch with people, and people always seem to greatly appreciate it. If you are like most, you will enjoy the idea that other people are thinking about you from time to time.</p><p id="8df7">To make someone feel better and have a great way to reconnect on a deeper level than the boring “hey, how are you?”, start using this trick and see your r

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elationships light up.</p><h2 id="e7c1">6. Collect quotes you come across and love or make you realise something.</h2><p id="27b7">How many times have you come across a quote or saying that you really loved, only to forget about it quickly after? When you needed it most it was gone, the lesson forgotten…</p><p id="253f">To make the most out of your reading, keep a little journal, or even a note on your phone, to keep track of your favourite expressions and quotes. It’s incredible what you can learn from reviewing these from time to time.</p><h2 id="7f3f">7. When writing down something little, write as neatly as you can.</h2><p id="707a">Jotting down notes is a quick and dirty way to assist yourself in keeping track of thoughts and organising them. A tiny upgrade you can make here is making your notes and to-do lists a bit more beautiful.</p><figure id="a55b"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*e3rdt65jTvzXxxoE"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@aaronburden?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral">Aaron Burden</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure><p id="03f4">By doing so, you signal excellence towards yourself, and this really makes you feel about 1 per cent better, or 2.</p><p id="4195"><b>Make sure to also check out my most popular post on Stoicism: <a href="https://readmedium.com/the-stoic-virtue-of-wisdom-how-to-know-what-matters-1939e9961121">How to know what is extremely worthwhile</a>.</b></p><p id="5ba2"><b>If you are also interested in my most successful articles, <a href="/illumination/real-self-improvement-starts-here-357bc29f939d">check them out here!</a></b></p><p id="7899"><a href="/@alexanderkant/membership"><b>Join Medium and enjoy thousands of articles</b></a><b> (this is an affiliate link — If you use my link, Medium will share half of your membership fee with me)</b></p></article></body>

New: 7 Super Small Habits For A 1% Improvement

Improve your life one little step at a time

Photo by Hannah Olinger on Unsplash

“The chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken.” — Warren Buffett

If you want to change your life for the better, there is one proven way we all know about by now: the building of positive habits.

Unfortunately, most people try to build huge habits while having little discipline and weak willpower muscles. Then they fail to do so and give up, which is such a shame because there is enough you can do to increase your chances for success.

To build these mental muscles, try to exercise as much as possible, every little bit of training helps. To aid you in your journey, I have collected 7 of my favourite tiny habits that are super easy to keep up with.

Without waiting any longer, go and find your new favourite tiny habit right now.

1. After using something, put it back immediately.

According to personal productivity legend David Allen, author of one of the most successful personal productivity books ever, Getting Things Done, the two minute rule applies here.

If you can do something within two minutes, do it now.

Putting something back after use almost always takes less than two minutes, and makes sure you keep a clean desk or workspace, as well as a clear mind.

2. At the end of the day, tell yourself that the day is over.

By stating this clearly to yourself, you signal your unconscious mind that it now can stop its activities. Just like you would calmly and clearly tell a dog to sit down, tell yourself in the same manner that the day has passed and that you can leave it there.

3. Take a break before you start.

This might seem very paradoxical, but it helps you to be more effective. Doing the wrong thing is almost always more time consuming than sitting down briefly to take a deep breath and to slow down, getting clear before you start.

“Clarity is power. The more clear you are about what you want to achieve, the more likely you are to achieve it.” — Billy Cox

4. Every day, read a page in meditations

Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius, is arguably the best self-help book ever written. The age-old pages written by the former emperor of the Roman Empire are as relevant today as ever, with adversity always waiting around the corner.

To make use of Meditations best, I recommend reading one page every day and taking the time to digest what you have read. Sometimes a couple of sentences are enough to keep you learning for a long time.

5. When reading something that reminds you of someone, send that person a text and a photo of what you are reading.

This is an amazing way to stay in touch with people, and people always seem to greatly appreciate it. If you are like most, you will enjoy the idea that other people are thinking about you from time to time.

To make someone feel better and have a great way to reconnect on a deeper level than the boring “hey, how are you?”, start using this trick and see your relationships light up.

6. Collect quotes you come across and love or make you realise something.

How many times have you come across a quote or saying that you really loved, only to forget about it quickly after? When you needed it most it was gone, the lesson forgotten…

To make the most out of your reading, keep a little journal, or even a note on your phone, to keep track of your favourite expressions and quotes. It’s incredible what you can learn from reviewing these from time to time.

7. When writing down something little, write as neatly as you can.

Jotting down notes is a quick and dirty way to assist yourself in keeping track of thoughts and organising them. A tiny upgrade you can make here is making your notes and to-do lists a bit more beautiful.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

By doing so, you signal excellence towards yourself, and this really makes you feel about 1 per cent better, or 2.

Make sure to also check out my most popular post on Stoicism: How to know what is extremely worthwhile.

If you are also interested in my most successful articles, check them out here!

Join Medium and enjoy thousands of articles (this is an affiliate link — If you use my link, Medium will share half of your membership fee with me)

Advice
Self Improvement
Personal Development
Habits
Productivity
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