The formula for happiness is simple: Be good, do good, and you will feel good. ‘Be good’ means be what you ought to be, and ‘do good’ means do what you ought to do. What is it that you ought to be doing? Let your own conscience be your guide. When you do what you ought to be doing, you will feel good. In other words, you will be happy. When we act as we shouldn’t, we experience unhappiness. That’s the main reason it’s important to eliminate bad habits.
Good habits are usually developed through conscious effort on our part. Once we form a habit, it takes over and forms us. The sum total of our habits solidify into our character, so they can be our best friends or our worst bosses. Benjamin Franklin put it nicely when he wrote, “Your net worth to the world is usually determined by what remains after your bad habits are subtracted from your good ones.” He also told us that, “It is easier to prevent bad habits than to break them.”
Given below are some good habits that make your personality more charming and impressive.
Get on a good schedule
We need structure and routine in our lives. Our bodies expect it. They perform best when we operate on a regular schedule. We especially need to eat and sleep about the same time each day. This routine stays with a person their whole life and helps them to develop good work habits. Find a schedule that works for you and stick to it!
Eat a healthy diet
Our brains need the right food to perform at their peak. Don’t go to work on an empty stomach. Professionals need to train themselves early to eat a balanced and healthy diet. We tend to carry the habits we learn when we are young forward with us for most of our lives. Learning to eat right now can avoid many health issues down the road.
Learn to exercise
We need physical activity to stay healthy. The benefits of regular exercise are well documented. We need to find exercise routines that are fun and match our individual tastes. Developing a good exercise routine is a habit that will increase both the quantity and quality of your life.
Practice gratitude
It is so easy to get in the bad habit of envying what others have. The grass often seems greener on the other side of the fence. It is vitally important to learn gratitude. Practice thinking about the things you have to be thankful about. Develop good study habits
Studying effectively is a skill. People that live life to the fullest are lifelong learners. They never stop trying new things. One needs to study and gather new knowledge in an effective and efficient manner. Learning how to study and acquire the knowledge to succeed doesn’t just occur naturally. It needs to be taught. Take a study skills course or ask others for tips on improving your study habits.
Never give up!
Winners never quit and quitters never win. This is a famous quote and it is certainly true. It takes perseverance in life to enjoy any kind of success. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Perseverance is a habit. It is one that can be developed just like any other.
Respect the environment
It seems to be hip to be ‘green’, but being a good steward of our environment is really not that new. Wise parents have been teaching these principles to their children for ages. We only have this one world and we depend on it for our survival. Every person needs to do their part to protect what we have. Develop habits now that will help you to be a good environmental citizen for a lifetime!
Strive for excellence!
Why do a job if you aren’t going to do it right? We need to develop the habit of giving every task our best effort. Excellence should be the standard we strive for in all we do. We can’t start letting ourselves do the least possible to get by. If we do, then we are going to receive less than the best results from our work. Teaching excellence now will ensure habits for success will carry forward.
Live the Golden Rule
“Do unto others…” is a guideline we should all follow. Think of the conflict and tragedy that could have been avoided if people simply applied the Golden Rule in all their relationships. If we make this a habit, then we will find a lot more success in life. Respecting people of all races and beliefs is a hallmark of living life to the fullest.
Practice good hygiene
You really can dress for success! Habits like brushing your teeth twice a day and washing your hands regularly not only contribute to health, but also lead to routines that give one a sharper appearance. First impressions are powerful and are mostly derived from the way a person looks. Like it or not this is true. Start today to ensure you do what it takes to leave a lasting good impression.
Always tell the truth!
The truth often comes out whether we want it to or not. Lying generally just complicates the situation and makes us look bad. It is much better to just develop the habit of telling the truth even when it is difficult. This will save you a lot of heartache and misery in life.
Ask for what you want
Develop the habit of asking for what you want. How else are you going to get it? It is really that simple. Just give this one a try. If you are a parent, teach your children to ask others for what they want. This is truly a behaviour you want to come naturally. It will build confidence and self-esteem that will serve your kids forever!
Be a regular reader
Being a good reader is a skill that often separates the good students from those that struggle. Becoming a good reader takes practice. The more you read and are read to, the better you get. Reading has numerous benefits. It builds one’s vocabulary, expands the imagination, and rekindles creativity. Make reading a routine!
Be punctual
Arriving on time is important to one’s success. People always notice when you are late. It is an indicator of whether you mean what you say and can be trusted. Do not introduce doubt about this into people’s minds by showing up later than expected. Create the habit of being punctual now and you won’t have to worry.
Respect authority
Failure to respect those in authority positions can lead to all kinds of problems in life. It doesn’t matter whether it is your boss, a police officer, or a university dean. People in authority have a job to do and often worked hard to get into the position they are in. They deserve to be treated with proper manners and reverence. Learning to say, “Yes ma’am” and “Yes sir” will get you noticed in a positive way.
Tend to your spiritual needs
We cannot ignore our spiritual needs and truly live a full and rewarding life. We must recognize that there is a higher power and pursue our faith regularly. We may not exercise our beliefs in exactly the same way, but try to find what works for you and explore it to its depths. A solid spiritual life will serve you well.
These are good habits you want to set in concrete now. The quicker you make these habits that you live by, the better life you will experience.
