Thrive at Life: Stop Doing These 7 Things (Guest Post)

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Written by: Kent Elliot 

If your life has not turned out the way you hoped or planned, reflect on your habits and mindset. Chances are some of your thoughts and actions are preventing you from living your best life. Here is a list of seven things you should stop doing now to improve your life.

1. Stop Dwelling on the Past

Reliving past mistakes or wallowing in “what could have been” is counterproductive and self-defeating. Accept the past for what it is — a collection of experiences that shaped who you are today. Learn from it and move on. Live in the present and plan by looking at what is in front of you instead of behind you.

2. Stop Procrastinating

Putting off problems or dreaded tasks just allows them to loom over you like a rain-filled cloud. Chronic procrastinators put themselves at risk for various issues, including low productivity, poor work performance, depression, and hypertension. End your pattern of procrastination with these tips:

  •    Break work into manageable chunks.
  •    Remove distractions from your environment.
  •    Use time-blocking to schedule your day.
  •    Prevent decision fatigue by establishing routines and habits that allow you to make choices in advance or with automaticity.


3. Stop Complaining

Occasional venting is understandable and even helpful. Sounding off your frustration to a trusted friend allows you to release your emotions in a safe space. Be mindful not to let negative feelings consume you or affect your relationships. Instead, take a solution-oriented approach to problems you face.

4. Stop Wasting Time

Time is a nonrenewable resource; once it is gone, you cannot get it back. Use it wisely on purposeful activities. Studies show that the average daily social media usage is almost two and a half hours. Imagine what else you could do in that amount of time that would have a profound positive impact on your life. This is not to say you should deprive yourself of the joy of looking at cat memes. Maybe just do not make it a part-time job.

5. Stop Saying Yes

People are reluctant to say no for fear of missing out, causing disappointment, or appearing uncommitted. Yet, by constantly saying yes to everyone else, you repeatedly say no to yourself. Ignoring your wants and needs can lead to resentment and burnout. Continue to say yes when you want to, but master how to tactfully say no to things that are not meaningful to you.

6. Stop Working Solely for a Paycheck

While you need money to live, staying in a job that affects your health and happiness is rarely worth it. A career change may mean more school, but online programs make it feasible to complete coursework while continuing to work. Depending on your qualifications and career aspirations, you can earn a professional certificate, or undergraduate or graduate degree in your chosen field.

7. Stop Neglecting Self-Care

Your health is a top priority. Healthy eating, regular physical activity, and sufficient rest are crucial to your wellness. Many forms of self-care, such as exercise and listening to relaxing music can be woven into your current activities. If you need to bump something from your schedule, make sure it is not self-care.

Life is full of curveballs. Though much of it is outside your control, you can change your thought and behavior patterns. Stop doing things that are harmful to your well-being and prevent you from reaching your goals. Shift your mindset and adopt habits that help you live the life you always envisioned.





* Photo Credit from Pexels:
by August de Richelieu

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