- STEP 1. Set goals in alignment with Your dream Lifestyle
- Why is this important?
- Shift your mindset from “What do I want” to “What do I want to Experience”.
- STEP 2. Identify The Habits
- The key is to pick the task that generates the most significant results.
- Make the Habits Visible.
- One: Physically Visible
- The Done-It list Method.
- Why The Done-It list Works:
STEP 1. Set goals in alignment with Your dream Lifestyle
I don’t want you to imagine the endpoint of your goal (like graduation, getting a car or house, or marriage). Instead, I want you to get clear on your dream lifestyle—the day-to-day feelings and mundane routines of your future self, who already has everything you desire.
If you’d like to get some inspiration for different areas of life and what goals to set, check out my blogpost titled
Why is this important?
Because of socialisation, you have certain expectations of what success looks like. To distinguish the goals you set for yourself, in which the lifestyle of said goal would genuinely grant you joy and fulfilment – and the goals you desire only because society deems them as “things successful people achieve” – is monumental for your motivation.
I.e., no shit, you’re not motivated to achieve your goals. You’d hate the actual lifestyle that comes with it. You want the goal because you want others to see you achieve that goal.
Shift your mindset from “What do I want” to “What do I want to Experience”.
When picking goals and vision, become conscious of your dream day-to-day life. Consider your lifestyle’s sacrifices, cons, and benefits, and actively choose the sacrifices that lifestyle would require.
Would your goal improve your day-to-day life? Would you enjoy the mundane day-to-day of your goal? If so, how?
Photo by Prophsee Journals on Unsplash
STEP 2. Identify The Habits
First, identify the goals that will bring you toward your dream lifestyle.
This could be a milestone such as “buying the car” or “getting married.” But it only comes after figuring out your lifestyle.
Then, you want to identify the habits that will help you achieve this dream lifestyle.
The key is to pick the task that generates the most significant results.
If you want to write a book, writing down the scenes and editing them would be the tasks that generate the most significant results. Not making Pinterest boards and researching the publishing process before you even wrote your damn book.
Ensure that the list is manageable. If it feels overwhelming or confusing, simplify it and add habits later if necessary.
Make the Habits Visible.
You could do this in two ways.
One: Physically Visible
If you’re a student, for example, put your books obviously on your desk instead of hidden in your backpack in a corner.
If you want to start taking morning walks, prepare your outfit for this the day before.
This could also be done on the computer; bookmark essential sites you need to use regularly to achieve your goals.
And the Golden Duck of making your goals Visible: Change your algorithm.
Ensure your FYP inspires you to achieve your dream life by interacting with content that teaches, inspires and guides you in the right direction.
Method two is to write down your daily habits and make them obnoxiously visible.
Tape a sheet of paper above your desk or beside the bathroom mirror. Alternatively, make a vision board.
Preferably, make multiple lists.
Make it your phone wallpaper. Put it on your desk, in your room, and on the bathroom mirror.
Surround yourself with the habits to make them absolutely inescapable.
Even if you don’t achieve them all every day, do at least one.
Photo by Hanny Naibaho on Unsplash
The Done-It list Method.
A have-done list differs from a to-do list because it inevitably teaches you to focus on what you did well rather than what you must do. It’s a reverse to-do list.
The journal aims to feel grateful for yourself whenever you act toward your goals.
Write down that you made the bed, drank enough water, or did a small lesson on Duolingo wherever you are. Begin the day by taking a small action: make bed, listen to a subliminal, sip water, or eat breakfast.
Then, write the action down in your Done-it journal.
Stay on track with your daily habits (that feel good for you and align with your future vision), and whenever you take a GOOD ACTION, WRITE IT DOWN.
Why The Done-It list Works:
- A small dose of dopamine is released whenever you do something “good,” instantly making your brain search for more dopamine-inducing activities.
- Manifestation: you feel productive, so you take more actions to be more productive.
- Self-Concept: Since you only write down things you’ve already done, your self-concept must change from “someone who procrastinates” the more pride you feel over the day that’s passed.
- No long to-do list that you procrastinate on because it’s overwhelming.
- Soft because it gives a sense of accomplishment above pressuring yourself to finish an endless to-do list.
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