The Top 10 Daily Habits for a Great Life

Category: Health, Well-Being,Self-Care, Diet, Balance, Eating (BF41) Originally Submitted on 2/10/99. 

These are the habits that, from my experience as a coach, are most effective and essential for general health and emotional balance.

1. Give yourself some quiet time first thing in the morning. Even if you have to get up earlier, this is worth it. Most of us have days that are busy enough - allowing the body to waken quietly, and giving yourself time for stillness will allow you to meet the day in a connected way.

2. Drink lots of water. And I do mean lots!

3. Eat three meals. And sit down to eat them - take the time for your eating, so that you can do it with stillness, and with focus.

4. Smile lots. Smiling and laughing are two of the most healing things you can do - for yourself and for others.

5. Do some exercise every day. And make this a priority - walk, cycle, play squash, run, work-out. Aim to do something every day, and ...... make it fun, too!

6. Spend some time with nature every day. Take time to feel your connection to the earth, to appreciate the beauty and joy of nature and get some fresh air, too!

7. Acknowledge the people in your life. Say thank you to people who help during the day, thank the ticket collector, the waitress, the person who gives way to you. Put your gratitude into practice!

8. Give something to the world. This can be anything from a smile to a million dollars! It's not important what you give - what's important is that you give something to the world, to spread your love, and increase your sense of health and emotional balance and abundance.

9. Keep a "blessings" or gratitude book. Keep a book in which you write all the things that you have been grateful for during the day. This can be anything from the sound of the birds singing in the morning, the beautiful sunset, or your pay raise!

10. Go to bed early. Aim to be in bed by 10:00 p.m. every night - this is the best way to ensure that you are recharged and ready for the next day.

My first life coach, Fran Henry, introduced the C.D.A.F. model to me years ago, it really helps at the start of a new project or goal. The following is what I have written from practicing the process, it's my own words, but the basic concept comes from Coach U.

The C.D.A.F. Model

C= Clarity

Write down everything you want to achieve from your project: 

Include: details, possible outcomes, profit if it pertains, the who, the what type of, the how to, the facts or factors that effect the process, etc..

D= Decide

Make some decisions about your "project" 

Include: A step by step plan, a time line; a date to start step one; length of time each step will take; costs involved; What you need to move forward; etc..

(Note: Don't let the money part get in your way of moving forward, be realistic with the budget you have now, no matter how small it may be right now.)

A=Action

Take action on the decisions you made in the last step (D) 

Make sure you also create a solid time line so you don't "fizzle out" 

Include: Written statements such as

"On Monday, January 4th, I will ..."

"On Wednesday, January 6th I will..."

F= Follow up

This is where you continue back to the 1st step and repeat the process until the project is complete. 

Note: You may need to seek clarity again on a separate topic.

It's also about staying on track. (for example: if you made some phone calls to someone about the project, and you have not heard back from them in a few days, you might try sending an email instead)

Sometimes you just need to move forward or move to another step in the process without the person you are waiting to hear back from.

Don't let anything, or anyone get in your way of the final goal, but do keep in mind that sometimes there is another way of achieving the goal, keep an open mind and remember, it's YOUR project.

Stay confident. Move forward, and keep moving in the direction of the final goal.

It may take more time than you anticipated, but every step is a movement towards success.

A final thought... Remember that Walt (of Walt Disney) was turned down several times for his idea of a theme park before it became what it is today!!!

-Heather Hixon, Wellness Coach