Good morning!

Here’s an outline of tips and tricks I do to help me live my Best Life :)

I started putting it together for a possible book or PDF or something?, but I also just wanted a place that captures it all for easy reference later… If you like it, I’ll do an update as other ones come to mind!

It really is amazing how good habits can compound over time… Bad ones too, but we’ll save that list for another day ;)

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A bunch of things that have gone on to
change my life:

Money:

• Tracking my net worth
• Automating all bills
• Consolidating all banking
• Rounding up all debt payments/investments
• Using one credit card for everything (and paying it off monthly)
• Maxing out retirement accounts every year
• Storing all tax documents in one spot
• Tipping 20% no matter what
• Always keeping cash in my wallet (money clip)
• Always keeping a $20 bill in the car for emergencies

Shopping

• Always buying it if it’s a book
• Always buying it if it’s under $10.00
• Asking: “Would I rather have this thing or cash?” before any purchase
• Asking: “Would I wear this out the dressing room?” before any clothes purchase
• Shopping thrift stores for cheap fashion experimenting
• Always having a back up plan for stuff you buy
• Leaving all packages needing to be returned in the trunk so they’re always ready

Productivity:

• No coffee until you’re ready to do the “real” work!
• Answering emails in batches
• Answering emails with emojis and gifs (quicker *and* fun!)
• Answering emails via iPhone (more acceptable for writing less)
• Answering emails but *not sending* them until later (slows down the back and forth)
• Only keeping emails needing attention in the inbox (archive the rest)
• Setting calendar items for all your friends’ birthdays so you never forget (esp old college ones as time passes on…)
• Spending just 15 minutes to jump start the stuff you hate (you’ll often end up doing more once you get going!)
• Going “all in” when you find something you love (It may change later, so soak it all up while you’re excited!)
• Stacking habits for better efficiency
• Re-reading Essentialism every now and then

Household:

• Making your bed every morning
• Cleaning the litter every morning
• Putting away the dishes after every meal
• Doing a load of laundry every day
• Lighting a candle at dinner
• Keeping books easily accessible around the house
• Spritzing plants every day with water (easiest way to keep them alive!)

Clarity/Mind:

• No phone in bed!
• No phone *in front of other people*
• Wearing a watch so less times picking up the phone
• Keeping phone notifications turned off
• No working on the weekends
• No working at night
• Hitting inbox zero every day
• Waking up at 5am and getting the day started on your own terms

Kids:

• You can never love them too much!
• They’d rather play with YOU than a toy
• Keeping an “adventure bag” in the trunk (with extra clothes, toys, bathing suit)
• Keeping their scooters/skateboards in the trunk (for more sporadic adventures!)
• Going with the flow while playing, even if it’s not fun (they’ll quickly move on to something else!)
• Sticking to a loose schedule for play time, nap time, screen time
• Urging them to do as much as they can by themselves
• Bribing them if it leads to better habits
• Not letting them get free stuff at yard sales…

Minimalism:

• Keeping key chains minimal (house and car keys only)
• Keeping money clip minimal (only cash and cards)
• Keeping clothes to *only what fits in a suitcase*
• Giving every thing a “place”
• Keeping a box for all stuff that needs to go out
• Keeping all email accounts/website accounts/other accounts consolidated
• Removing areas of the house that accumulates stuff easily (usually flat surfaces)
• Walking around the house looking for stuff to declutter when bored
• When stuck on an item, asking: “Would I go out and buy this again?“
• Re-reading The Power of Less every now and then

Health:

• Banana and water in the mornings
• Cut up apples w/ peanut butter in afternoons
• Stop eating when 80% full
• 1-2 walks every day!
• 100 push-ups every day
• Brushing your teeth right after dinner so less temptation to snack/drink late night

Charity:

• Always saying “yes” when asked for money
• Giving the largest dollar bill in your wallet/purse/pockets
• Setting up *automatic* donations to organizations that matter most to you
• Becoming a Lifetime Member of the clubs you belong to
• Keeping your eyes consciously *open* for opportunities to help

Reminders to self:

• No one can ever take away your success!
• Freedom > Money > Stuff
• It’s either a Hell Yeah or a No – Sivers
• You can get equal happiness from stuff that costs money and stuff that doesn’t
• “Sometimes all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage.”- We Bought a Zoo
• When in doubt, ask yourself: “Do I like who I am when I’m doing this?”
• “Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” – Earl Nightingale

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