By Shawn
(Part 1: Steps 1-5)
#4 Was a Game Changer for me!
We are always a constant work in progress as human beings.
To evolve, expand and elevate ourselves to the next level of who we are becoming we must grow.
Here are 10 steps that will help you in your pursuit towards betterment:
1- Smile more.
Smiling works wonders.
Elevates mood, relieves stress, Is contagious (the good kind of contagious), makes you your more attractive self and of course has linked health benefits.
Your best attribute is your own unique smile, share it regularly.
2- Use The POWER of Please and Thank You More.
When you say please and thank you, you’re displaying kindness and respect.
While that’s a sign of proper manners, that’s only half the story.
When you make the effort to do small things well, you’re much more likely to do big things well.
That’s because taking pride in what you do is habit forming.
Ditch quick empty responses like “sure” or “would you do X” and replace them with “Thank you for thinking of me” or “Could you help me for a moment please?”
3- Express Your Gratitude more (& be specific!)
Gratitude does not come automatically for us, it’s work.
Our brains are programmed to find what’s wrong (to keep us safe, survive etc) and to lead a happier, more fulfilled life, we must find, seek and live our gratitudes.
Gratitude is a practice, a habit. Just like how working out becomes part of who you are, your routine and lifestyle, to become a better and happier person we can apply the same diligence to gratitude.
In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness.
Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.
HOW to:
Easy place to start is everyday, express (and/or write) three things you are grateful for.
Be specific as it will mean more.
Example:
I am grateful for the beautiful scenic views I have right outside my window from my home and how they make me feel inspired to get outside.
4- Make Daily Time For Working On Yourself.
Regardless of How Busy.
You want to give more, be more, love more, earn more, whatever your reasons for “more” are, to be that best version of ourselves we must continually work and upgrade ourselves.
Time for knowledge, time for growth, time for healing, alone time for recharging, time for learning and developing as a person.
This single handedly has changed my life.
Making devoted time to your development as a person as a person.
This can look like whatever you want it to but making daily time for yourself is a must.
Some folks will see this as another thing “to do” or “addition” to their busy plate and use the cop out of “I’m too busy” or “I have no time.”
That’s your conditioning coming into play. And it’s just one giant excuse.
You’ll never get to the next level of yourself or your life making excuses.
Wake up earlier, put it on your calendar, block it off in your lunch window, take 10 minutes before you walk in the door but do something.
I started this out with 15 min/day and are up to 60-90 minutes a day.
Start somewhere.
We’ll never look back on our lives in the end and wish we “worked more hours!”
And the effect of a better you, literally improves everything you’re involved in: personal relationships, family, business/career, work relationships you name it.
5- Surround yourself with people who inspire, motivate, uplift.
& cut out the people who bring you down, criticize, or don’t support you.
Another game changer in life.
You become the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.
Looking at your current 5, how do you feel about that?
Inspired?
Or
Troubled?
I recently even heard the phrase, relationships are “mirrors” meaning you reflect back what you accept, what you love, what’s important to you…whether you realize it or not.
Are they raising your standards, holding you accountable to your best you and supporting you? Ultimately making you a better person.
Or are they constantly complaining, finding what’s wrong, criticizing you and pointing blame?
Our most precious resource is our time.
And who we spend time with.
Get around those who will motivate you, encourage you, lift you up and relish in your own personal successes.
This is a reason group fitness classes at Railroad are so powerful.
*This also goes for social media. If you need to go on a social media cleanse, unfollowing or unfriending those who don’t support, align with your life or make your life better…do it.
It’s your life. You’re the director and star of your own documentary. At any moment you can cut the “extras” who bring and attract the wrong attention and put it back on those who count, those who matter.
Including yourself.
Part II (Steps 6-10)
Coming tomorrow!
