Submitted by Glittering-Sun-4080 t3_ztxtjb in LifeProTips
My life is messy and unstructured (I’m in college). I want to pick myself up and be on top of things in the new year. I desire to be someone who has everything together. I don’t expect to magically become a new person on January 1st, 2023. But I want to able to start my journey of self-improvement. What has worked for you?
Read Atomic Habits by James Clear. Audible usually has deals, you can pick it up for a free credit with a killer deal rn
Trust me when I say this is the book you want to read for this case. Everything I know about building habits came from this book
Also don't try to do everything all at once. Imo I'd start with the sleep habit since without good sleep, anything else you do won't stick or will be muddied by the fact you're not getting enough sleep. It's more important than a good diet
Lol my previous boss made us read this book. They started it shortly after I left. But I may still grab a copy and read it.
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Without more information on what you need structure with it's hard to give applicable and actionable advice.
When it’s comes to structure, I mean that I do not have a routine for anything (I’m a college student) No sleep routine, fitness routine, finishing homework on time or paying bills on time. I miss deadlines which is ironically the most consistent thing I’ve been. In brief, I’m a mess.
For homework and bills, I suggest a bullet journal, digital or analog (physical journal works best for me. Record due dates not only on the day they are due, but a week, then 3-4 days before and finally the day before. If you don't need as many reminders as I do, then don't put in as many.
For academic work I get the syllabus at the start if each class and work out small, easily digestible increments and set due dates for those during the course.
Ex. One chapter a week is assigned reading so I divide the chapter over 4 days. I build in wiggle room in case life happens which is why I divide over 4 days instead of seven.
Ex. For papers that are due a month out I divide into three weeks: week 1 for research, 2-3 for writing (sometimes I end up needing more research once I start writing, week 3 for outside review and editing (or week 4 if I had to do additional research).
If I find that one day or week is really heavy with tasks I adjust as needed. This may seem pretty involved, but I was able to keep up with schoolwork while suffering a health crisis. I didn't need any extensions on assignments due to planning at the beginning if the classes and a bit of luck.
For everything else like sleep and fitness, schedule it like anything else. But these are things you may want to try to be more strict in terms if when you do them. Sleep schedule should be more regimented in terms of times than an activity like fitness.
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I do lists for each day. The hard part is being consistent in making a good list of be shit you need to do. But once you do that and have a detailed list of things you know you need to do you'll work through it. Not a mental list either.
Write it down. Send yourself scheduled reminders. Annoy the shit out of yourself.
I mentor lots of folks and the first thing I have them read is the pledge by Michael masters on. From there figure out your life goals. I recommend you write goals daily by hand for one year that are positive, present tense with a specific end date for accomplishment (dec 31 2023 is a good date).
I would write more though gotta sleep.
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No goals.
Seriously. No goals = no disappointments.
Look for the easiest way to earn money without hurting people.
It is acceptable to steal from a government or political institution.
Marry a wealthy woman and become a trophy man. That is what I did.
small, clear to-do lists, make small, achieveable goals reward yourself when you reach milestones
Good news! Since you're a college student, you have access to a counselling center. Make an appointment to talk to someone. You are already paying for the service so you might as well try it.
The slight edge by Jeff Olson is a great read for this
bdaruna t1_j1fy0f3 wrote
We are what we do repeatedly. Therefore excellence is not an act but a habit. - Aristotle