Feeling lost? Everybody feels that way sometimes, and the good news is you can get your life back on track by doing these nine simple things.
9 Things to Do to Bring Order to Your Life to Start the Year Right
1. Get rid of all your debts.
One of the main stressors a person has is debt. Pay off your debt as soon as you can. The more you delay paying off your debts, the bigger the interests get. In most cases, the principal amount is only a small fraction of what you’re paying for with a huge chunk of the debt being interests and fees.
Ideally, you should pay off your debts from the least amount to the greatest debt. As you eliminate your debts one by one, you will have momentum and you will eventually snowball your debts into oblivion.
2. Create better spending habits
Most of the debt we incur are due to poor money management. People who spend way beyond their means usually fall into this trap. Avoid the unnecessary stress debt by learning to manage your finances properly.
List your expenses to check how much you spend. See where you can cut down and start living below your means. Look for cheaper alternatives. Hit the yard and estate sales instead of going to retail shops. Shop wisely.
If you feel like buying something, hold off for about a week. In most cases, you’ll find that you really don’t need to buy these things. Delayed gratification helps people save tons of money at the end of the year.
3. Make the right investments.
One of the safest and most rewarding investments you could make is purchasing a property. Make the most of lending companies in Utah for a housing loan in Ogden or wherever you are in the country.
Secure your future by making the right investments. Bonds, stocks, forex, mutual funds, cryptocurrency, and other reliable investments are within reach. Do your homework and find out which investments are right for you.
4. Say “No” when you need to and don’t feel guilty about it.
Do not fall into the trap of pleasing people too much that you find it difficult to say “no” for fear of disappointing or offending others. Set clear boundaries for yourself and make others aware of them.
Respectfully decline offers or invitations that are irrelevant to you and your circumstances. You’ll be amazed at how empowering it is to say “no” to things that are not valuable to you.
5. Evaluate how you spend your time and energy.
Take stock at how you spend your time in a day, a week, a month, and a year. See how you can cut down on some unnecessary activities and things that rob you of your time for rest, for yourself, for your family, and other important things.
6. Write things down.
Put things in writing, especially if you’re the forgetful type. Whether these are dates, to-do’s, expenses, goals, ideas or insights, make the habit of writing things down.
Putting things in black-and-white helps one realize things instead of leaving them as concepts and ideas in the mind.
7. Disconnect more from social media, connect more with people.
As much as technology has become a boon to our everyday life, it takes away real-life connections with people and communities. Take time every day to unplug and just talk to people uninterrupted by screen time.
Nurture healthy interpersonal real-life relationships and connections. Value people more than social media and technology.
8. Start living a healthier lifestyle.
Take better care of your health — mind, body, and spirit. Eat healthier food and take the necessary supplements to help enhance your health. Exercise regularly and stretch your muscles to get the blood flowing throughout your body. Minimize or even avoid unhealthy habits such as smoking, vaping, drinking alcohol and liquor, and other self-destructive vices.
Take the time to slow down to meditate and reflect. Get enough rest to allow your body to recharge and recuperate.
9. Have a grateful heart.
Gratitude is underrated nowadays. Much of man’s disappointments stem from a constant pursuit of bigger things, never being satisfied until they have them only to find out these things hold no meaning or value to them.
For instance, when they were talking about achievements and awards, Doc Hudson said to Lightning McQueen in the movie Cars, “They’re just a bunch of empty cups.”
Contentment comes from having a heart that is thankful for even the most trivial thing. Learning to appreciate the small things — like having 20/20 vision or hearing the birds sing or waking up to a new morning — do wonders for one’s mental and spiritual health.
As you take control of your life and circumstances, you will find that you are in a much better state than where you were before. Remember that what you tolerate, you will never change. It may be difficult at first, but as you keep doing them, they will get easier by the day and help turn your life around.
