Most of us have more than enough bad habits, but what about good habits? Just as you “pick up” a bad habit, you can learn good habits that will have a positive impact on your life. Follow our step-by-step guide and start making positive changes today.
One positive day at a time
We can all benefit from change, but many of us don’t know how to make lasting changes. Start with the following five tips. Each day, add one step to your daily routine and soon each will become a positive habit. Be persistent—it takes 21 to 45 days of implementing a new habit to make it stick. Be sure to follow your SPTS Daily Checklist—with each positive habit you adopt you take a step closer to the ultimate you.
“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” - Annie Dillard.
Follow these steps to have a positive day!
1. A wake-up call: When you awaken in the morning spend 15 to 30 minutes listening to motivational audio. Place a portable CD player or a stereo at your bedside so you can lean over and press play as you wake up. Listening to uplifting messages is a great way to start the day and it sure beats lying there thinking about all the lousy things you have to do in the day. For a selection of motivational and inspirational audio please refer to our top 10 list. If you don’t have a way to listen to motivational audio, try reading motivational and inspirational books.
2. Exercise: Physical activity is not only a sure way to improve your health, it’s also a great way to jump start your day and provides a perfect time to fill your mind with highly concentrated affirmations. While you exercise, repeat positive affirmations. A good way to reinforce positive self-talk is to write positive affirmations on 3” x 5” cards. Choose a different card each day and repeat that affirmation while you exercise. The strength and motivation you derive from repeating uplifting affirmations during exercise is life changing.
3. Breakfast: Whether you’re sipping a scrumptious smoothie or enjoying a tasty omelet, eating a healthy, well balanced meal in the morning is essential to beginning a healthy day. Breakfast is also a great time to fill your mind with more positive thoughts. Reading an inspirational book is a great way to enhance your positive day—the newspaper can wait. GIGO is a computer term meaning garbage in, garbage out; use breakfast for positive input and your day’s output will be positive.
4. The commute: According to the United States Census 2000, 70% of commuters spend a minimum of 30 minutes a day traveling to and from work. Turn your car into a university on wheels. Each morning, listen to inspirational, educational or motivational audio during your ride in to work. Thirty minutes a day of motivational or educational material quickly adds up. You will step out of your car pumped and ready to conquer your day at full force. Do not listen to relaxation tapes while driving.
5. Lights out: Play visualization or positive affirmation programs while you fall asleep. While you sleep the positive thoughts will continue to fill your mind. Thinkrightnow has great programs to lull you into a positive sleep. For an affordable alternative, record yourself repeating positive affirmations and play it back while you drift off.
How do you make your days positive? Do you write post-it-notes to your loved ones? Are your walls covered with inspirational quotes? Email me at Alison@truestarhealth.com with the techniques you use to keep your day positive. Your technique may be just what someone else needs to stay positive.
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