6 Ways To Improve Yourself In Just 10 Minutes Per Day
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Improving your life doesn’t have to be about taking one giant leap or making a radical change. It’s not about suddenly getting up at 5 AM if you’re accustomed to sleeping until 8, going on that crash diet, or starting a punishing workout routine. As a matter of fact, radical sudden changes seldom help or last; you just get burnt out, bored, tired, and angry. Lasting change and overall life improvement come from what you do consistently.
It’s those small, daily, meaningful steps that are going to improve your life as a whole (think brushing your teeth).
If you are on this site, it shows that you want to improve yourself and your life, but I get that working on self-improvement and personal development is not your full-time job. So, what if you could do it in just 10 minutes per day? To me, this is a much more reasonable approach that anyone can fit into their life, schedule, and routine.
Start by deciding on one to three things you’d like to work on. One of them should be “essential,” meaning radically life-changing, like building strong financial, health, or fitness habits. They could be good for your emotional and spiritual well-being, like meditation or journaling. Maybe that means taking up a new hobby or language – get creative!
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Here are some easy ways you can improve yourself and your life in 10 minutes or less.
This is an obvious one. You will feel better, think clearer, and be more productive if you keep your body moving. Take 10 minutes a day to stretch, go for a walk, do a bit of yoga, or just get outside. This will help to reduce stress and to improve your overall well-being. Need a little help? Try an app like 7 Minute Workout or Daily Yoga for motivation and ideas.
Another no brainer. Do I really need to say this? If you haven’t already, make a list of all of your monthly expenses. What are you spending your hard-earned money on? Is it going where you want it to? Do you need to reallocate more to one area and cut another one? Finances are a fluid, living, breathing thing. They change with life circumstances and with your career so be sure to do this at least a couple of times a year. For daily tracking, again, hit the smartphone apps. Mint: Personal Finance & Money is one of my favorites.
TED Conferences started out focusing on Technology, Media and Design, (no, not some guy named Ted!) but they have grown to cover almost any topic you can think of. They are posted free online and branded as “ideas worth spreading.” They definitely are. Not sure where to start? Check out The 10 Most Popular TED Talks Ever.
When was the last time you tried that big thing that you’re afraid to do? We all have fears, they’re normal and healthy. But fears can also become a crutch and hold you back. Pick one small thing and go ahead, step out of your comfort zone. Maybe it’s asking that guy or that girl out, trying a new sport, visiting a new place, meeting the parents, pitching the idea, or shifting your career. This can be a big one so, if you need to, get support from family, friends, a buddy, or a coach.
It’s only by stepping outside of your comfort zone that you really become aware of what you can do.
Do you really know who you are? Have you taken the time to find out, away from the pressures and judgments of family and friends? Do you remember what it is that you wanted to do before everyone told you what you should do? Take 10 minutes a day to journal or meditate. Listen to your inner voice when no one else is around. Google a list of questions for getting to know yourself and answer a few. Writing the answers down is always helpful as it gets them out of your head and onto a page where you can be a little more objective.
What do you think your life would look like if you were to spend just 10 minutes per day focusing on your career? Now, I’m not talking about the stacks of busywork that you are already doing, I’m talking about learning a new skill, making a plan, cultivating a talent, reading a book, getting a coach, or learning how to be super productive. It’s easy to get sucked into the long list of daily tasks that keep you spinning your wheels for years at a time. Be proactive and take control of your career and steer it in the direction you want it to go.
Don’t be afraid to make your own list or pick something that is uniquely specific to you. After all, this is your life and you are the only one that can live it.
Big changes tend to be a little overwhelming and almost never stick. Try picking one, two, or three areas that you’d like to improve, and, after you’ve stuck with it for a few weeks, add something new.
Is 10 minutes a day really too much to ask for your life? Don’t make this a chore, make it a treat, something you’re doing for you, and cherish the time.
Spoiler alert: life doesn’t always go according to plan! So you’re all set to improve your life and suddenly there is a family emergency, the weather turns bad, work gets crazy, or you’re faced with a cash crunch. Things come up, just get back on track as soon as you can.
If you just think “okay..I’ll find 10 minutes at some point today,” chances are you won’t. Pick a time, maybe during lunch, for an afternoon break or just before bed if you aren’t too tired. Try to keep the same 10 minutes, 5 or 6 days a week.
Whether it is an accountability partner, keeping a journal, or posting on social media, find some way to track what you’re doing over the long haul.
Certified Professional Life Coach
Hunter has an M.A. in Psychology and is a Certified Professional Life Coach. For more than 10 years, she coached clients to find and follow their passion and live their best lives. Hunter has also done youth coaching work with Covenant House, realizing that this is such a challenging and important time in life.
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