The simplest factors for changing and improving your life
If you don’t behave kindly to others, you won’t become a kinder person. If you only wake up to the sound of an alarm in the morning, know that you won’t truly become an early riser. You must always be working on improving yourself to be better, smarter, and kinder, but you might not know where to start. It all depends on how you handle small, yet important tasks. In this section ofSelMagzwe will introduce you to solutions that may seem simple but can change your life.
Pause for 2 seconds before saying anything
Make sure to count to two in your mind before speaking any words.
Don’t interrupt others
Interrupting others, whether in agreement or disagreement, is impolite and disrupts their thought process.
Pause during your speech to allow others to speak
We all love to hear our own voice when talking. That’s why we keep talking and don’t let others speak, but it’s better to pause a bit in your speech so your audience can share their thoughts without feeling the need to interrupt you.
Don’t forget to vary your tone while speaking
To create a better and more pleasant connection and avoid boring your audience, try to work on varying your tone so your speech doesn’t become monotonous.
Lower your voice when finishing a sentence
When you reach the end of a sentence, you should lower your voice and reduce its volume to a near-silent level.
Learn to remember your audience’s name
It’s very important to quickly remember others’ names and pronounce them correctly whenever you interact with them. Doing this shows that you care about those around you. A person’s name is the most important word in their life, so it’s best to remember it.
Learn how to shake hands
Never give a limp handshake to others. Learn how to do this firmly and respectfully, but not so hard that it hurts the other person’s hand. Try to perform this in the most respectful manner possible.
Establish eye contact
Making eye contact shows that you’re paying attention to the other person and listening to them, which gives them a very positive feeling.
Avoid using unnecessary words
Unnecessary words like “yes,” “right,” or “I agree” can distract the other person from the topic. It’s better to listen silently and show your attention through eye contact or nodding.
Don’t nod excessively
Some people overdo this, trying to show that they are very attentive. However, excessive nodding can have the opposite effect.
Understand yourself when you feel restless
You’ve probably seen powerful people on TV many times. Have you ever seen them looking restless or fidgeting? Certainly not. Powerful individuals experience restlessness less often. If you feel restless yourself, you should manage your emotions and have a proper plan in place. Know your triggers so this feeling goes away more quickly.StressMany powerful individuals do not touch their hair or shake their limbs out of stress. If you’re feeling restless, control yourself and have a solid plan.
Listen to understand, not just to respond
Many people listen to others just to respond, but you should listen deeply to understand what they are saying.
Summarize what the other person says
To show your audience that you are truly listening, briefly summarize what they said every few sentences.
Don’t argue or fight with your siblings
If you have challenges with your siblings, understand that arguing or fighting does not resolve the issue. It’s better to control your reactions and not be overly angry with them.AngerDon’t let anger control you.
Talk to people who have opposing views, but learn to avoid arguments
This can be a practice foranger managementandanxietyand will help you talk less, listen more, and patiently hear opposing views.
Ask more questions
Learn to ask questions during conversations and speak less to gather more information from the other person.
Arrive 5 minutes early for every meeting or appointment
This shows that you value your time and that of others.
Have clear goals before speaking to others
Always respect others’ time and know what objectives you intend to achieve after speaking. Set those goals then speak accordingly.
Don’t pay attention to your phone
When you are talking to someone else, focus solely on them, avoiding distractions from your laptop and phone, and don’t multitask.
Ask others for their opinions before making a final decision
Don’t behave in a way that makes others afraid to express their opinions. It’s better to ask everyone for their views before reaching a collective decision, which will likely enhance your outcome.
Reflect the body language of the other person
When the other person’s body language suggests that they are paying attention and interested in you, reciprocate their body language to foster a positive feeling.
Don’t tell others they are wrong
We all make mistakes, but we hate being told about them. So, there’s no need to keep reminding them of their errors.
Accept that you made a mistake
Try to be strong enough to admit your mistake and come to terms with it rationally. This will make others feel safer to be around you.
Tell your audience about their strengths
To be a source of positive energy, try to notice and acknowledge the positive traits in everyone you meet, and illustrate what they are good at. This will also make you feel better.
Show feedback
You don’t always have to express everything verbally. You can indirectly show your feedback through your actions. Avoid seeking verbal criticism and aim to do the right thing so they understand. Do this kindly.
Treat others based on their efforts, not results
You cannot expect others not to make mistakes, but what’s important is to consider their efforts. Each person’s mind is different, leading to diverse performances and results. Therefore, don’t just judge them based on results.
Avoid long sentences when writing
When sending something to someone or writing a letter, strive to avoid long sentences and express yourself clearly, concisely, and transparently.
Don’t send drafts
Before sending a letter or email, make sure to draft it, correct any mistakes, and then send a perfect version to the recipient.
Value the priorities and preferences of others
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prioritize yourself, but you can also seek opinions from others and consider their priorities and preferences.
Instead of always talking about yourself, think about the other person
Without repeatedly saying “I,” try to use “you” and respect the other person’s thoughts, ensuring you feel better in the process.
Pay attention to the other person’s choices
For example, if you want to go to a restaurant with your friend, let them choose. This gives them a better feeling and doesn’t take anything away from you.
Wait 24 hours before responding to a message that makes you emotional or angry
You will definitely calm down after 24 hours. Try not to act immediately; wait until you feel relaxed, then respond.
When upset, wait another 24 hours
If you are upset for any reason, never talk to others in that state. Wait 24 hours for your mind to settle before speaking.
Ask questions when you’re unsure about something
If the other person explains a topic to you and you don’t understand, make sure to ask questions until you’re clear to avoid misunderstandings.
Write emotional letters by hand
To express romantic feelings to someone you love, it’s better to handwrite the letter instead of sending it via email.
Hug someone you love once a day
Embracing loved ones is essential and greatly contributes to our health.
Smile while shopping
Always wear a smile; even when you go shopping and want to talk to the seller, project positive energy with your smile.
Always leave notes
When you want to tell your spouse or children something and you’re not home, definitely leave a note for them. This only takes a few seconds but makes a significant positive impact on the recipient.
Use “please” and “thank you”
Make it a habit to say “please” when you make requests and “thank you” when you express gratitude.
Email when you are away
Practice emailing when you are on a long trip and can’t communicate through a love letter.
Don’t shy away from compliments
Accept compliments from others. Instead, make sure to give them positive feedback, and don’t hesitate to do so.
Start your day withmeditationBegin your day by practicing meditation; it will surely improve how you feel throughout the day.
Have a messy notebook and a clean notebook
Always use one notebook to jot down your goals. Dedicate one for random thoughts, which may get messy. Use the other for your definite decisions, keeping it neat.
Each morning, jot down anything significant that comes to mind
Repeat this every morning. Sit at your desk, have a pen and paper ready, clear your thoughts, and write down everything that comes to your mind to free your mind.
Be a writer for yourself
Always write down things you love. You can even create stories. Doing this gives you a positive feeling and opens up your mind.
When you drift away from the present moment, pay attention to the feeling in your toes
This might seem pointless, but you can focus on the sensation in your toes to bring you back to the present moment.
Choose to walk
When feeling down, rather than listening to a sad song,opt for a walk.
Say positive affirmations in front of the mirror
Talk to yourself in front of the mirror. Look into your eyes and tell yourself positive affirmations. Be kind to yourself and empower yourself.
You don’t have to finish a book
You might have recently started reading a book that you realize midway through you don’t like and want to finish it no matter what, but it’s not necessary. So don’t force yourself to read.
Buy books you love
You can definitely buy the books you like in PDF format and read them on your Kindle.
Organize your books
Organizing books by topic helps your mind structure information better, and you can access your desired book whenever you wish.
Read each chapter twice before moving on to the next one
If you are reading a book you love, read each chapter twice to deeply understand every sentence before proceeding to the next chapter.
Choose a meaningful background photo for your phone
When you want to start something, be sure to set it as your lock screen or upload a related image.
Delete unused apps
Don’t clutter your phone like your room or mind; remove anything that is unnecessary.
Learn to type correctly
Be careful to type as accurately as possible when sending something to others.
Set your phone to “Do Not Disturb”
When you need to concentrate on something important, make sure to use this feature.
Change the phone settings to black and white
Vibrant colors on your phone may encourage excessive use and can become addictive. Switching to black and white reduces its appeal and helps you use it less.
Change your decor
Identify suitable spaces in your home. Rearrange items accordingly and diversify your home environment.
Keep a bottle of water next to your bed
The first thing you should have in the morning is somewarm waterto hydrate your body.
Don’t keep electronic devices in your bedroom
It’s better to remove all electronic devices, including computers, phones, and laptops, while sleeping.
Use an alarm clock
While you need to keep electronics away for sleep, you also need an alarm clock to avoid oversleeping.
Dedicate each day to one task
Rather than trying to do multiple tasks throughout the day, it’s better to dedicate each day to one task and have a suggested theme for that day.
Set time for physical activity
People have various goals in life, but we should all strive to engage in physical activity daily to improve focus and prioritization. So try to allocate a space for physical activity in your room.
You can set only three priorities
If you intend to focus on more than three priorities, keep in mind that you cannot fulfill them excellently. So it’s best not to exceed three priorities.
Do tasks that take less than two minutes
If you are in a hurry, focus on tasks that take less than two minutes. For instance, pay your bills during this short time so that you can relieve your mind by completing quick tasks.
Write why your goals are important
If you have set goals for yourself, before you start striving to achieve them, ask yourself why these goals are significant and how reaching them can enhance your life. Understanding the reasonbehind goal settingand its significance will certainly give you more motivation.
Take breaks based on results, not just efforts
You should take breaks based on the outcomes you achieve, not just the efforts you put in.
Complete tasks ahead of schedule
Learn to not procrastinate and complete tasks earlier than necessary. Doing so will ease your mind and make you feel better, allowing for more productive work.
Teach others
Always try to share your knowledge with others without expecting anything in return. However, don’t make it a burden for yourself; always be willing to teach.
Write down your daily tasks
Buying a whiteboard for jotting down daily tasks, priorities, and administrative objectives is one of the best investments you should make.
Study the lives of successful people
When striving to achieve a goal, reading stories about successful individuals can motivate you and help you work harder and more inspired.
Think and write down various approaches to find the best path
Before starting any task, always write down the different methods that come to your mind. Research various techniques and consult experts to discover the best solutions.
