10 Habits to Make You Happy and Productive Every Day: By Filiz Mehmedova on Lifehack.org

These are the 10 habits to make you happy and productive every day, and a little bit of how I apply each of them in my life. Check out the website lifehack.org. It has some great articles about a lot of different topics.

1. Wake Up Early

Let’s be honest… Very few people like to wake up early. The only time I liked to wake up early is when I didn’t really have to. I also liked to be the first one up, simply to be able to say, “I was the first one awake.” I am an adult now, and I still am like that a little bit. Since moving to Portland with my love we have both been getting up around 6am. I love it! We get up, eat, and get some stuff done. I think it is such a great way to start off your day.

2. List the Things You are Grateful For

Hmm… I am grateful that I woke up this morning. I am grateful that I have a roof over my head, nutritious food to eat, and clothes to cover my body. I am, also, grateful to have the most amazing man by my side. We have only been together for a little over 5 months, but I love him so much! He has taught me so much and just makes me a better me! Not to mention, he is also such a big dork, like me, so we always have so much fun together! When I really sit down and think about the things I’m grateful for, it’s actually quite a bit. I am extremely grateful for my friends and family, the fact that I have a job that I absolutely love, and that I was/am able to go on this adventure with Tony, and live a little.

3. Go Through Your Goals for the Day

I write TO DO list every day. I like knowing what I want to accomplish in the day. Do I always get it all done? No. So when you write your list or goals for the day, be aware of how much time you really have.

4. Pack a Healthy Snack for Work or School

I always use a car as an example when I am talking to my clients about food intake. You cannot drive your car if you do not put gas/fuel in it; and the better quality fuel you put in your car the better it runs. Our bodies run the same way! You must fuel your body with nutritious food for you to be able to function properly. Physically, mentally, and emotionally.

5. Switch Off your Wifi or your Phone and BE PRESENT

Technology and social media has definitely taken over! It is kind of crazy! People barely know how to socialize in person anymore. I always try to put my phone away when I am hanging out with friends and/or family. Live in the moment. Your phone will be there later. I normally save my phone time for when I’m doing cardio or when I’m going to the bathroom (tmi... sorry!)

6. Take a Short Walk or Exercise

I tell my clients that coming into the gym or going for a walk is like a mini vacation from your life. You get a little bit of time to yourself, to blow off some steam or clear your mind.

7. Read a Few Pages from a Book

I never used to read, unless it was an assigned assignment in a class I was taking. But when I met Tony, he introduced me to reading for self-improvement, self-education, and pleasure. And now it has become part of my weekly routine. I am working on making it a daily thing. Reading is great to really get your brain working. I like how it makes you think in different ways. It is also nice to learn something you never knew; or relearn something you had forgotten.

8. Write Your Goals for the Next Day

Writing down your goals for the next day, or a To Do list or schedule, is always super helpful! I actually do it regularly. I am kind of a list “freak!” (Laughing on the inside) I like to write everything down; from waking up, to resting, reading, working out, and eating. It helps me keep track of what I have to/want to get done.

9. Prepare Your Lunch for Tomorrow

I meal prep! I used to meal prep for three or four days in advanced, but I haven’t been doing that now that I have my own place. I’ve got to say, I do really miss being prepared like that. I tell my clients that meal prepping is a life saver! Though it seems like it takes up so much time, but it really doesn’t! If you set aside time once or twice a week then you don’t have to worry about it after that. When you are hungry BOOM you have food ready. HEALTHY FOOD!

10. Go to Sleep with Positive Thoughts

This has been a “rule” of mine for quite some time now. Good or bad day, I always think of something happy before I go to bed. And if I cannot think of something happy, I repeat to myself, “Everything will be okay.” I believe that you sleep better when you go to bed with happy thoughts, and you wake up in a better mood. Therefore you are set up to have a better day.