21 tiny habits that will transform your life in 6 months:
1. Make your bed
Build momentum + set the tone for the day. Your future self will thank you.
2. Take an “internal shower”
Drink a full glass of water right away. 60% of your body is water. Replenish it.
Oh, you think these habits are too basic?
“If [more] information was the answer, then we’d all be billionaires with perfect abs.” It’s not what you know, it’s what you do consistently.” — David Sivers
3. Jump rope for 2 mins
This will activate your mind + body.
4. Step outside
Jump rope outdoors? Get 2-for-1. A healthy tide of cortisol is released when you step outside at daybreak, allowing you to become more alert.
You’ll reset your circadian rhythm.
5. Review your goals
Remind yourself who you want to be. 14% who have goals are 10x more successful than those without goals. The 3% with written goals are 3x more successful than the 14%.
6. Read a passage
Philosophy, religion, etc. I like ‘The Daily Stoic’ by Ryan Holiday.
Read philosophy (or scriptures) before you check your phone.
Happiness is abundant by design and scarce by luck.
7. Water a plant
Learn to take care of something other than yourself. Pets are great; plants are smaller-scale. All great legacies start small.
8. Take a 1–2 min cold shower
Take a regular shower, and turn the water cold for the last 1–2 mins. You’ll feel ON.
9. Send a good morning text
Gm texts >>>
Make someone’s day.
10. Hide your phone
The best productivity app on your phone is called aeroplane mode (use it).
11. Score your day (like a movie) with music
Music is a powerful mood enhancer. Almost everything is more enjoyable with music, right? So enjoy it.
My go-to: is Hans Zimmer.
12. Drink water before meals
Uncomfortable fact: More people die in the U.S. from overfeeding than underfeeding.
Drink a glass of water before your meals. You’ll feel fuller (and prevent overeating).
13. Write down tomorrow’s 3:3:3 plan
• 3 hours on your most important project
• 3 shorter tasks
• 3 maintenance activities
Defining a “productive day” is crucial.
Or else you’ll never be at peace (even with excellent output).
14. End the workday with a shutdown ritual
Create a short shutdown ritual (hat-tip to Cal Newport). Close your lap, plug in the charger and spend 2 mins tidying your desk. Then say “shutdown”.
Separating your life and work is key.
15. Journal 1 beautiful life moment
Delicious tacos, presentation you crushed, a moment of inner peace. Write it down. Gratitude programs a mindset of abundance.
16. Lay out clothes for tomorrow
Get exercise clothes ready for your 2 mins of jump rope (Habit #3). The best morning routine starts the night before.
17. Pack healthy snacks
People are the worst version of themselves when they’re hungry. Fix that; pack healthy snacks for tmrw
18. Charge your phone outside of reach
The morning alarm will spring you out of bed. And the day is on.
19. Do the dishes
Dirty dishes spill over into other areas of your life + mindset. Bill Gates says dishes are core to his evening routine. It will calm your mind, too.
20. Practice 4–7–8 breathing
Recently, I wrote a popular thread on the 4–7–8 Method. The breathing technique will help you alleviate stress and fall asleep fast.
21. Give your mind an overnight task
Upon closing your eyes, give your mind a job. “How might I make an extra $1k each month?”
Don’t try to solve it then; just release it to your subconscious (which will work on it overnight).
Credit: LinkedIn founder, Reid Hoffman
