Finally take control of your destiny by deleting the negative habits that have been dragging you down
Many of you will resolve to start a new positive habit in 2018. Adding good habits can be fun, but unfortunately (most of the time), they don't work. Approximately 38 percent of Nigerians will make resolutions, and only 8 percent will succeed.
Instead of adding a new diet or workout regime, let's remove the negative habits that have been holding you back.
1. Kill your habit of checking social media during the workday.
Social media platforms are masters of making you stay there. Getting lost in Facebook can be fun, but it's counterproductive during the day--especially while you're trying to build that presentation for your investors.
Now that we're on the subject, turn off the notifications on your phone, too. You can check your Snaps on your break.
2. Kill your habit of thinking it's all about you.
Your frowning boss isn't conspiring to fire you, as much as the cashier isn't giggling about your tie. They're thinking about themselves, and their own problems. Not you. I promise.
It's not about you. So cut it out. Run on that assumption when dealing with every human interaction in your life, and you'll be much happier.
3. Kill your habit of multitasking.
Science tells us that only 2 percent of us can really multitask. So don't try. Try this instead: When attempting to get something off your to-do list, shut down every browser and app on your screen except for the ones you need.
Otherwise, you'll get notifications for LinkedIn requests, Facebook Live posts, and tweets. A never-ending stream of distraction. So shut down everything except the program you need, and finally get things done.
4. Kill your habit of comparing yourself with everyone.
You will never win this game. There will always be someone smarter, better looking, richer, and (seemingly) happier. Always. Focus on yourself, your mindset, your health, the state of your being, and you'll win.
5. Kill your habit of complaining.
It's just not worth it. Be aware of the words that come out of your mouth. They affect you and the people around you.
Speak of good things, and more good things happen. Speak of negative things, and more negative things happen. Simple.
6. Kill your habit of wasting time with negative people.
If they don't love and support you, get rid of them. You don't have to shout, kick, and scream. Just stop being available to them. They won't notice. They're too self-centered to care.
7. Kill your habit of taking or organizing long and unnecessary meetings.
Less meeting means more doing. We're all adults. Take the meeting, do what you need to do, and go and do it. You can still be social, and have fun, and succeed in making meetings more efficient.
Try this in your next meeting. Set an agenda. As you run through the agenda, go around the room and have everyone share:
What they're working on.
What they've completed.
What they need in order to complete what they're still working on.
It works, I promise. You'll shave half an hour off your meeting time.
8. Kill your habit of saying yes.
You may think you don't have enough time. You do. You just spend your time doing the wrong things.
Stop saying yes to everything. Embrace no. Love no. No is your word for 2017. Love it, live it, and use it.
9. Kill your habit of self-loathing thoughts and beliefs.
Enough is enough. You are good at what you do. You have it in you. If you can't silence that voice in your head, begin a regimen of meditation. If you need some quick wins to feel good about yourself, write three things you want to change this year. Right now. Go ahead; I'll wait.
Congratulations. You took the first step. Feel that little endorphin release in your brain? That's what you're looking for. Keep doing that, and you'll break that habit and create a new one. A habit where you actually get things done. Go--do things.
10. Kill your habit of sitting.
Get off your backside. Run, exercise, move. But stop sitting. Oh, and get a standing desk while you're at it.
11. Kill your habit of underachieving.
You're better than this. You have more in you, and you're not getting any younger. Start that business. Resign from that horrible job. Do it now. The only thing stopping you is you. Not your family, not your bank account.
12. Kill your habit of bragging about your resolutions before they happen.
Your brain thinks you've accomplished them when you announce them to the world. Stop that. This TED Talk helps to explain the phenomenon.
13. Kill your habit of creating excuses.
While you're at it, kill the habit of creating reasons. They're just excuses with lipstick on.
14. Kill your habit of reality TV, celebrity gossip, etc.
You're an adult; this shouldn't be a part of your entertainment. It's junk food for your brain. Feels great at first, but there is always a negative mental consequence.
15. Kill your habit of obsessing over doomsday scenarios.
It's good to have some healthy skepticism, but pessimists don't change the world, motivate people, or come up with innovative ideas. They only bring the people around them down.
16. Kill your habit of obsessing over things outside of your control.
Focus your time, energy, and resources on improving yourself. You can control everything you put in your body, think about, and do. Master yourself and become ruler of your universe.
17. Kill your habit of making sure everything is perfect.
It ain't happening. Ever. This is just a complicated form of procrastination. Which is a deeper manifestation of your fear. Get out of your own way, and let it rip.
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