Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a stay at home mom, a doctor, or a teacher, staying happy is crucial to your success. New brain science reveals that maintaining a positive vibe is your best defense to stress, job stagnation, and depression. Below are five clever ways to be more successful and happy.
1. Make a List of your goals
In today’s era of multitasking many people get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life while losing sight of the things that they really want to accomplish. Take an hour and write down your goals (both long-term and short-term) and then post this list somewhere where you will see it every day. Do you want to get a promotion at work? Have you been dying to take a tropical vacation? Is there a great restaurant you’ve wanted to try? By writing down these goals, big and small, you will remember what you are working for when life gets stressful and will be much more likely to actually accomplish them.
2. Take some time every day to go outside
When you are cooped up in an office or classroom all day it is easy to find yourself feeling tired and burnt out. During your lunch break or after a long day, treat yourself to a walk in the park or a bike ride. Even thirty minutes of some fresh air and vitamin D will help you feel more energized and capable of tackling the day’s challenges. Find a beautiful place in your neighborhood and go explore!
3. Spend time building and maintaining real relationships
With the growing popularity of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social media platforms, face-to-face interactions are becoming increasingly obsolete. However these online “friendships” are not the same as spending some quality time with an old pal. So pick up the phone and make lunch plans with a friend, family member or co-worker. Sharing some old stories and laughs over coffee or a good meal can go along way and is a great way to find yourself feeling more connected within your own social group.
4. Keep a daily thought journal
Take a few minutes each night before you go to bed to write about the day you’ve had. What did you do? How did those things make you feel? What aspects of your life do you want to improve? By taking time for some self-reflection each night you will help to optimize your life as you can begin to recognize trends in the things that make you happy and the things that cause you stress. Also journaling is a great outlet for emotions and thoughts that are weighing on you, but you are not comfortable sharing with others.
5. Dress to impress
Though it may seem easy to throw on some sweatpants and a baggy t-shirt every morning, this “comfortable” attire does not project an image of someone who respects themselves and their career. Take a little bit of extra time each morning to choose an outfit that makes you look professional and put together. When you dress well you will not only feel better about yourself, but this confidence will be noticed by everyone around you. Employers and clients will appreciate the time you put into looking nice as it makes it seem like you are taking your job seriously. Time to go shopping!
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Today’s guest post was provided by Zoe White, article writer for Success Strategy Partners. Zoe is an avid writer and a full-time student who enjoys spending her free time with her friends.