If you want to get maximum enjoyment out of life while getting more stuff done, read this. We’ll discuss 9 things you can do to be happier and more productive.
In the 21st century, it seems like daily life moves fast. There are incredible opportunities, amazing innovations, and along with them, seemingly endless pressure.
It’s no wonder that we love podcasts, YouTube videos, and books on how to improve your happiness and productivity. The self-help industry is a billion-dollar business!
Happiness always seems to be an elusive butterfly. We’re constantly chasing it, but once we think we are about to catch it, it moves just out of our grasp.
Luckily, there are small things that you can do to change your lifestyle, tweak your habits, and adjust your actions. These minor alterations can increase your productivity and make you happier at the same time.
Let’s talk about some of them:
- Analyze Your Pain Points
The first thing you need to do is get real about your pain points. What is it that is making you unhappy?
Write down the areas of life that cause you stress. Then, color code them by levels of urgency. For example:
- Red: Life-threatening stressors, such as illness and eviction
- Yellow: Serious job issues, tension with friends or loved ones
- Green: Overwhelming household chores, non-urgent bills
- Blue: To-do lists, tasks that are more irritating than stressful
Once you’ve finished color coding, identify which things you have control over. Focus on reducing your stresses one at a time, starting with the things you can change.
By reminding yourself that you’re not completely out of control, you’ll feel at least a little bit better.
- Eliminate Some Chaos
Do you feel like you’re constantly spinning your wheels, staying busy with everything except the activities you enjoy?
Sometimes, when you feel tired or unhappy, it’s because you aren’t spending enough time on yourself. So, you should take some time each day to do something you love.
But how do you find time in your day for your favorite things when there’s so much to do?
You can’t get rid of all of your responsibilities, but you can delegate some and learn when to say no. That way, you’ll have more time for yourself.
It doesn’t have to be for the long-term, but at least until you feel better.
Tell yourself and the people around you that you need a bit of time to catch up. Whether it’s at work or home, let them know that you can’t do everything yourself.
- Add Some Time in Your Day
Do you ever think that you could get more done if you just had a little more time in your day?
Obviously, you can’t create extra hours out of thin air. But you can use your time more wisely, which will make the day feel longer.
Magical Ways to Find More Minutes
Here are a few ways you can add more time into your day without disrupting your current schedule:
- Get up five minutes earlier tomorrow, then another five minutes earlier the next day, and so on, until you have at least an extra hour.
- Organize your home so it takes less time to find the things you need.
- Use time-monitoring apps, like RescueTime, Freedom, or Checky to remind you when you’re wasting time on useless tasks.
By slowly incorporating these time-savers into your life, you’ll find that you have more than a few extra minutes in your day.
- Give Back
It sounds counterintuitive, but donating some of your time can make you happier and more productive.
Being generous with your time enriches your life. Volunteering, for example, energizes you in a way that nothing else can. You’ll walk with a little more pep in your step after you’ve taken time to help other people.
If you can’t give your time, declutter your apartment and donate some things. Or you can even offer monetary donations if possible. Since you don’t see the results of those donations firsthand, it isn’t quite as beneficial, but can still make you happier.
- Get in Shape
Your physical health plays a significant role in your happiness (and it’s not just vanity we’re talking about here).
When you’re physically healthy, your brain works better.
Exercise produces endorphins like dopamine, which is nicknamed the happiness hormone. This is why experts recommend exercise for combatting depression and other mental illnesses. By getting out and taking control of your health, you begin to feel better automatically.
What you eat plays a role in how you feel, as well. Heavy, greasy foods weigh you down figuratively and literally.
If you think you’re in good shape but still can’t shake the blues, look at your diet. Are you getting enough mood-boosting vitamins? If not, consider doing so.
- Avoid Impulse Spending
Impulse spending is a common habit for people to develop when they’re unhappy. This is dangerous for multiple reasons.
The obvious reason is that it leads to financial trouble. If you end up on Amazon or buying little trinkets in the Walmart checkout aisle every time you’re unhappy, you could end up in deep debt.
This constant buying of unnecessary doodads will also lead to a cluttered home. Clutter is unhealthy for the brain. Research shows that it can add anxiety and stress to your life.
To put it in real terms, retail therapy is an addictive behavior. You need to control it before it controls you. You’ll be happier finding other ways to get a dopamine fix, like taking a walk.
- Set Goals
The importance of setting goals is documented in almost every self-help book. People without goals tend to be unhappier than those who strive towards reachable targets.
If you’re new to setting goals, start simple. What is an immediate goal that you’d like to meet within the next week? What are the steps that you need to take to get there?
Once you’ve tackled weekly and monthly goals, move onto long-term ones. What are your long-term career goals? Where do you want to be two, five, or ten years from now, and what do you have to do to get there?
As long as you make a point to pursue your goals, this way of thinking will transform your life.
- Focus on Your Relationships
Your friends and family are crucial to your happiness. Unfortunately, a common reaction to being unhappy is to hole up in your shell and push them away.
If you find yourself doing this, it’s even more important to seek out companionship.
Humans are not meant to be solitary creatures. If you’re looking for a bit more happiness in your day, turn to your loved ones.
This works twofold. When you let people into your life, you help each other. As long as the relationship isn’t negative or toxic, you’ll both get something out of it.
- Ride the Waves
Life is a journey. Things won’t be good all of the time, no matter who you are. Stress and relaxation come in waves.
If you’re not looking at the big picture, you can get overwhelmed by all of the waves that come your way.
The majority of life is spent eliminating minor stressors, with periods of rest in between. When you accept that this is the ride you’re on, you’ll be able to enjoy the ups and navigate the downs.
In Conclusion
Are you as happy as you want to be? Are you as productive as you could be?
With a few small changes to your schedule and mindset, you can achieve balance and focus on the things that matter. When you do that, happiness and productivity are natural byproducts.
Author Bio:
Ryan Sundling is a Group Marketing Manager at Cardinal Group Management, where he works with The Ruckus to help them with their marketing efforts.
