5 Simple but Effective Habits

When we think about forming habits, we often think first about hard, complex habits, like going to the gym every day. Don't overlook the value of simple habits. They can be much easier to form but still have significant benefits.

Whenever someone gives you an important piece of paper, take a photo of it

People often write down names, email addresses, appointment times, etc. for us on cards or Post-It notes. We sometimes write notes for ourselves on scraps of paper during phone calls. In all these cases, make a habit of snapping a picture. It's usually easier to find the photo (especially if you use a service like Google Photos that has mind-blowing search functions.) If you lose the original, it won't matter.

Create a reusable checklist and consistent routine for whenever you leave home for a trip.

There's good research showing that simple checklists are excellent tools for self-regulation. Don't reinvent the wheel when you're shutting up your home to go away. Create a checklist of what you need to do, and follow it in the same logical order every time you go on a trip. This relieves stress by helping you not forget anything, and each family member can have their own responsibilities.

Greet your loves ones mindfully and positively when you reunite each day.

Research from pioneering relationships expert John Gottman shows that our daily "reunions" are important moments for overall relationship health. When they reunite at the end of the workday, happy couples tend to greet each other positively and mindfully. They pay at least brief, mindful attention to each other and don't immediately launch into complaints, like how bad the traffic was on the way home. Whatever your circumstance is, when you reunite with your partner and children after being apart for a few hours, greet them mindfully and positively.

What I have learned from this article:

• Habits benefit us the most when they relate to something important or stressful.
• Simple and complex habits work the same way. When you perform a habit consistently, over time the self-control required to perform it decreases. For example, it won't take as much mental effort to shut your home up and head out on a trip.

You can read the full article here

💬 What simple habits already feel automatic and work well for you in your life?

Everything simple counts, such as always plugging your laptop in to charge before you go to bed. Sometimes our habits have become so automatic we don't recognize them as habits. Build on what already works for you.

💬 Where do you have room for improvement?

What situations keep reoccurring and causing you to stress in your life? Can you come up with a small habit to make them more manageable?

#habits #productivity #work