1. Write things down
Your brain is a powerful problem-solving machine, not a filing cabinet. It’s not meant to remember all of your appointments, shopping lists, tasks, ideas and more.
Instead, make things simpler for yourself by outsourcing. Try using apps, calendars, organisers and notebooks to keep tabs on things for you. This will allow you to use your brain for more important things, such as creative projects.
In the past, I was a huge fan of using paper journals and planners, but I’ve recently started committing to digital systems. Here are a few that I love:
In addition to the above systems, I follow the Time of Your Life method by Tony Robbins. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to get things out of their head and into a system that you’ll use.
Curate a capsule wardrobe
Knowing your Signature Style and having a capsule wardrobe with clothes that reflect that style will make you look and feel your best. It is a very powerful tool to possess. Finding your Signature Style and Cultivating a Capsule Wardrobe for each season is an ongoing journey due to lives and bodies changing, but I promise you; it’s worth your full attention.
Decide what works for you and then, stick with it! There’s no need to reinvent the wheel every morning.
Put ‘do nothing’ time on your calendar
It’s something that many of us struggle with because we’ve been programmed to believe that we either have to
- Earn our rest OR
- Be productive all the time. Doing nothing feels like a waste, and it makes us feel lazy.
But honestly, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Doing nothing is the simplest productivity hack out there. You need to take care of yourself to get anything done, so get out of your calendar and schedule some downtime.
Unfollow and unsubscribe
If you constantly feel worse after visiting the same page on social media, unfollow that page. Or if it’s a person that you’d like to stay connected with, you can usually mute them instead.
The same goes for your inbox, blogs, TV and news. You don’t need to know everything, and you don’t need to keep consuming content that doesn’t serve you.
Your newsfeeds should be filled with content that builds you up, enlightens and inspires you. If you come across anything that does otherwise, reconsider your need to see it.
Keep a shopping list
Marketers are a clever bunch. Everything from lighting to layout in a shop is designed to entice you into buying. Keep shopping simply by always writing a list before you leave home – and sticking to it.
Shopping should be less like browsing and more like a search and retrieval operation. Having a list to guide you in and out will help you stay on course and stop buying stuff you don’t need.
Always ask why
Over the years, I’ve realised that we blindly accept a lot of stress in our lives. There are so many things that we feel like we “have” to do … but why?
Elaborate birthday parties, three-course meals from scratch, and a new car every three years … if these things make you happy, then go for it! But if not, ask why you’re putting so much pressure on yourself.
Get curious, and check in with your values. You might realise that you can make life a whole lot simpler by simply deciding to stop doing a lot of the things you’ve always done. It’s a simple habit that can have a significant impact on your life and happiness.
Know when to say “no comment”
Not everything in life deserves a response, so keep scrolling past the comment section or walk away from an unhelpful conversation. Of course, speak up when it matters—but don’t waste your breath on petty arguments or topics that don’t deserve your attention.
Automate savings
Saving isn’t glamorous, but it’s necessary. Simplify the process by setting an automatic deposit from your main account into a savings account when you get paid.
The faster it’s out of your account, the less time you have to accidentally spend. It will also help you get used to how much disposable income you have instead of having to calculate your savings mentally.
Surface clean your home
I’m a naturally messy person, and I like to spend as little time as possible cleaning. This is why I’m committed to a simple hack: maintain clean and clutter-free surfaces.
Spots like your kitchen island and your dining room table – keep them clear, and you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck. It doesn’t take too long, but it gives the illusion of tidiness (even if the rest of the house needs a bit of work).
Plan your day and week
Take time to plan your daily and weekly tasks. This will help you prioritise with a clear mind—before you get caught up in the chaos of everyday life.
I know that you’ve probably got a lot on your plate, but trust me. Taking a few minutes to discern the important from the urgent is the secret to an intentional life. It’s how you take care of what matters most before the rest of your life gets in the way.
Turn notifications off
You know this one, right? The average person receives about 80 notifications a day, and as you can imagine, that’s a lot of distraction. Distractions equal wasted time and energy, and those resources are too precious to waste.
Do yourself a favour and turn the notifications off. Remember – you should control when you check your apps, they shouldn’t control you.
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