Top 25 Daily Habits/Resolutions that can Change Your Life

It’s a new year and everyone is making their resolutions. As you make yours, consider this list of what I believe to be the best commitments to make.

It’s a new year and everyone is making their resolutions. And since PGC is turning 25 this year, I thought I would share 25 suggested resolutions (or daily habits) to help you have a more fruitful year.

I don’t claim to have everything figured out, but through the process of failing over and over again and studying the habits of those who inspire me, I have learned some things that have helped me and I believe will help you, too.

These resolutions, if made into daily habits, can transform your relationships, your outlook and your life. Choose one, choose three or choose all 25, but do them consistently. You’ll be glad you did.

I have broken them out into categories.

Faith

1. Praise and thanks. So many times we start the day in a rush, doing things we need to do. Start the day off with gratitude by thinking of all the things you are grateful for in your life. Your family, your job, the warm shower, etc. Make gratitude part of your morning routine and start the day off right.

2. Keep a list.  No matter our faith or how we pray or how often we pray, we often get lost or sidetracked.  A list (of things to pray for, things to be grateful for…) will help you be intentional.

3. Serve.  Helping others is an altruistic act that also has a personal benefit. It makes you feel good. It doesn’t matter what your motive is, you will help yourself and others if you serve.

Spouse

4. Seek him/her first. When you get home, go straight to your spouse. Too often, we do other things first which sends the wrong message. Show your spouse you don’t take them for granted.

5. Serve them with their love language….not yours.  

6. Schedule time. No matter how honest your intentions, things often don’t get done if they aren’t scheduled. Schedule time to go out on a date or complete your “honey-do” list.

7. Communicate well. This means something different for everyone. It could mean sharing your thoughts and feelings, it could mean sitting quietly and listening. Or, it could mean a look or a smile. Nonverbal communication is just as important, if not more important, than what we say.

8. Build them up. You are each others rocks. Strengthen your rock every day.

Kids

9. Give praise freely. So many times we focus on getting them to do right. Praise will not only build them up, it will speed up the process.

10. Prepare the walk, don’t pave the road. Arm your children with what they need in life.  Don’t try and pave the road no matter how good the intentions.

11. Be playful. You can never have enough good memories.

12. Slow down. They’re only this age once. Before you know it, they’ll be out on their own. Slow down and take it all in.

Friends

13. Be intentional. The older you get, the harder contact can become. Quality will have to trump quantity.

14. Take action.  When you think of them, act..no matter how small or big.

Health

15. Nickels and dimes. I got this from my friend Sam. Too often, there’s not enough time in the day to fit in a full workout. So let the little things add up: 10 push-ups (dime) ten push ups, five-minute job (nickel), etc.

16. Eat well. It is hard to outwork a bad diet You can ruin a lot of your physical hard work and effort if you don’t eat well.

17. Win little battles. It is not always easy to make the right decision, but something as simple as water instead of soda with your #3 combo can be a win.

Leadership

18. Leaders are readers. Set aside time to gain knowledge. Check out our list of recommended books on leadership.

19. Plan. Each night, plan the next day.  At our house, we call this “table time.”  We all go to the table for 30 minutes after dinner and do something productive. I plan my next day.

20. Be courageous. Find something to be courageous about everyday and act on it.

Work

21. Count your blessings. Start the day off thinking about what you are thankful for about your job. For me, this comes easy, but I realize for many people it does not. Find one or two things no matter how small (even if it is just the paycheck you are thankful for).

22. Power 5 checklist. Start each morning with the five most important things to get done that day. Write it down, put it where you can see it and enjoy marking off each task.  

23. Chunk it. If you are are anything like me, a big project can eat your day, and you can easily get lost in the middle of it. “Chunking it” can look like this: finish number one, 22 minutes of emails, spend 15 minutes on number 2, take 9 minutes to get a snack, finish number 3, exercise,…

24. Time it. I love using the timer on my phone. I make things into games. Nine minutes…ready…go! How many emails can I knock out?  Set the timer for seven minutes…take a nap. Thirty-five minutes on the clock…how much can I move this project forward?

Number 25

The final habit is one that I call the habit of “making moments.”  Many years ago, the great point guard for Butler University, Ronald Nored, said something I’ll never forget: before he laid his head down every night he tried to knock somebody’s socks off. John Wooden said you can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.

Imagine if you could do that once a week (52 times), or once a day (365 times). Imagine the impact you could have on others…and yourself.  

 

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