Habits to improve your life in the new year
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At the start of a new year, you may be looking to establish habits to improve your life. We all love to make resolutions and set goals to accomplish in the coming 12 months, but one different way to look at this process is to develop new habits.
In Steve Cook’s book “Lifeonaire: An Uncommon Approach to Wealth, Success, and Prosperity,” the author proposes ways to pursue what you really want out of life without falling into common pitfalls and tropes that don’t really work. Cook’s philosophy of the “Lifeonaire” approach is to “change the rules of the game of life” and subvert people’s expectations for how you should live your life. Give yourself space and time to do the things that matter the most to you, and you will begin to experience life to the fullest.
When viewing plans for the upcoming year, Cook suggests that you focus on ways to improve your life by letting go of those old habits that are not serving you. This past year, in particular, shined a light for many people on the parts of their lives that weren’t working. For some of us, this experience is extra motivating to make things better as we move into the future.
Stepping away from the cultural narrative of “hustle and grind” can give a perspective that allows you to see your path to success more calmly and clearly. By reframing your approach to achieving your goals, you might find they are more attainable. Cook’s book challenges readers to consider what they want most from life – not always money, but more often something less tangible. Here are some suggestions “Lifeonaire” offers for habits to improve your life in 2021.
Measure your success differently
Success should not be measured in terms of how much money you have alone. As Cook points out: “Chances are there are many people that have much more than you yet are still not happy.” He expounds that after years of working as a life coach with wealthy people, they have a problem with satisfaction. The old saying “money can’t buy you happiness” relates to this conundrum, and it’s important to find the things that do make you happy and bring contentment in order to make sure you pursue them, regardless of your financial state. For example, if what you covet of the wealthy lifestyle is travel – look into opportunities to get similar experiences on a budget. There are plenty of outlets available these days offering advice on how to explore the world without breaking the bank.
Avoid taking on debt
Most people want to eliminate their debt, yet many will go deeper into debt in the coming year, according to Cook. Marketing is a powerful industry and these professionals are trained to convince you to buy whatever they’re selling. By learning what it is that you can live without in the new year and avoiding taking on greater debt, you will move closer to being debt-free and having greater financial security.
Stop constant self-comparison
There’s an adage that says “comparison is the thief of joy.” Social media has made this tendency even more prevalent in today’s society. By constantly trying to “keep up with the Joneses,” you will find that there is always someone with more than you. In reality, you don’t know how others attain the things they appear to have. Behind closed doors, there is a lot we all hide from each other, and it’s worth considering that the picture there may not be as pretty as you think. One key to happiness is learning to be content with what you already have.
Keep good company
Surround yourself with people that have an attitude that’s less about impressing people and more about finding inner happiness and peace. When you surround yourself with people who are constantly trying to impress others or one-up you, this attitude is bound to rub off, and that’s a bad thing! By seeking out those in your life with a calming, content state-of-mind, you will be more likely to achieve this place of peace as well.
Seek advice from role models
When you’re looking to take control of your finances, invest or make smarter moves with your money in general, it’s best to talk to those who are in a position that you admire or are role models for you. This applies to any counsel you seek – whether it be on fitness, relationships or how to do something – look to those who have found success in this area, not those who are struggling. As Cook says: “The only advice you should get from those who are struggling is what NOT to do.”
Work smarter not harder
With all of the difficulties that the past year brought to so many of our lives, it’s important to realize what is important to you. For most people, that’s not spending more time at work. By finding work that is more rewarding both financially and personally, you will be able to spend more time doing what you love. Periods of efficient hard work are much more productive than 60-hour workweeks. While the job market is a bear right now, if you can find work that is more flexible and allows you to have a greater work-life balance, you will reap the reward of greater life satisfaction.
Live your life while you can
Another major lesson of 2020 has been that life is short. Many people around the world have lost loved ones to the COVID-19 pandemic. This situation has shown us all that our time is limited. With that lesson in mind, it’s important to start living the life that you desire to the greatest extent you can. Make this year the one that you stop putting off the things that you can do right now because we are not promised tomorrow. Applying some of these other suggested habits to improve your life will help you quickly get on the track to living life fully.
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