How are those New Year’s resolutions going?

If the answer to that was dying a slow painful death in the back of my mind, then this article is for you. We are getting a fresh start, new year or not.

It’s never too late to improve your life. Often, it seems that the resolutions we made earlier in the year are the last things on our mind when summer hits.

In America alone, the market for self-development reached $9.9 billion last year. This figure proves that we still aren’t happy, regardless of what we post on social media.

Sometimes it’s not enough to pick up a self-help book or listen to a Tony Robbin’s podcast. Sometimes our productivity and motivation need less of a boost and more of a shove in the right direction.

If you’re looking for a dramatic change–or two–you came to the right place. Read on to find out why.

Improve Your Life Today

No one is suggesting something as dramatic as shaving your head or quitting your job and moving to a Nepali hilltop. We do, however, have some slightly less-intense, yet still effective, ways to improve your life.

Some of these suggestions might scare you. But like Elenor Roosevelt said, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” Whether you decide to travel somewhere new or pick up a hobby, you’re nudged out of your comfort zone and forced to grow you as a person.

With science in mind, the following life hacks will help you make this year your best year ever. Let’s get started.

Pick Your Top Five Wisely

Have you ever noticed how you pick up the tendencies and mannerisms of your close friends and family members? After spending large amounts of time with people, you soon start to share their sense of humor, expressions, and attitudes. We call this the Law of Averages.

One of the big names in self-improvement is Jim Rohn. He is famous for saying “You are the average of the five people you most associate with.” This is more than just a renowned expression but science.

A study from Harvard Medical School proved that the members of tight-knit social groups share emotions. You have control over whether those emotions are for good or evil. Surrounding yourself with people you want to emulate is one of the best changes you can make this year and why it made the top of our list.

Practice the Art of Gratitude

Too frequently we are guilty of focusing on what we don’t have, instead of appreciating the small things in life. How would your life change if you shifted your mindset to look at life with gratification?

Instead of dwelling on the fact that you may never afford the iPhone X, twist your mentality. Appreciate that you have the privilege to speak with your mother, regardless of your phone model.

The science of gratitude is astounding and could be the hidden secret of loving your life and overall satisfaction. Here are some of the benefits of living a life of gratefulness:

• You’ll be more generous.
• You’ll gain a better life perspective.
• You’ll be in a better mood.
• Scientists have linked gratitude to a longer life.

The art of gratitude is quite simple; it consists of mentally listing 3-4 things you are thankful for. Experts suggest practicing gratitude as you wake up in the morning and before bed.

Eat That Frog

Although eating a frog seems like a dramatic change, we don’t recommend it for changing your life. The phrase “eating the frog” refers to accomplishing your most laborious task of the day first.

Here are a few reasons why experts suggest this technique:

• You’ll feel more satisfied throughout the day once you complete the most “painful” task.
• You’ll have initiated the snowball effect of productivity. Once you do the hardest job, the rest seem simple and are easier to knock out.
• You tend to remember the most recent activities in your day. If you do the terrible task first, then move on to more pleasant ones the rest of the day, your day’s filled with more positive experiences.
• It’s harder to push off and procrastinate. A bottom-list item is all too easily pushed onto tomorrow’s to-do list. Put it first and put procrastination to bed.

You’ll find as you start doing the harder tasks first, the rest of your responsibilities will become easier and your day will progress smoother.

Unlock Your Potential

Often, it takes a step outside your comfort zone to realize your true potential, and sometimes you can’t do it alone. The best option for a dramatic self-transformation is to sign up for a self-empowerment training course.

Courses like this allow you to discover your real self and align your conscious mind with what goals you want to accomplish. Free yourself from the constraints of society and your mind and sign up for one today.

If obtaining the following ideas are important to you, but you don’t know where to begin, then you should consider enrolling in an introductory self-development program like the Avatar Course. It helps you with the following:

• Gaining a sense of direction
• Obtaining self-awareness
• Living a purposeful life
• Improving your mental focus
• Reconnecting spiritually
• Increasing motivation and productivity
• Creating meaningful relationships

Click here for more about the Avatar Course and how it can transform your life.

Unplug to Recharge

It’s time we realize our brain needs rest just as much as our muscles. Experts suggest a 20-minute mental break every 90 minutes to keep our mind sharp. Our bodies run on an ultradian rhythm allowing our mind to focus for only 90-120 minutes at a time.

We must recognize we aren’t robots, but instead organisms that run on a cycle. Just like you wouldn’t run a marathon five days in a row, it’s not healthy to keep your brain “switched on” all the time.

By simply reading this article, you are now well on your way to an improved 2018.

Make One Change Today

At this point, you should have a few ideas of what you can do today to dramatically improve your life, and the best thing is you can start any of them today. Don’t get overwhelmed with the need to make a 180-degree turn by midnight.

Take it slow and make progressive changes. Our suggestion is to make one small change right now to kickstart your new life. After all, an object in motion stays in motion, so what are you waiting for?

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