If you are looking to improve your life, there is no magic solution that’s quick and easy to implement. Anyone who tries to sell you quick solutions for your life’s problems is just trying to get you to part with your hard-earned dollars.
Improving your life requires a clear focus on your goals, consistency and dedication. I want to make it clear that you won’t see results overnight. Your life probably won’t drastically change in 3 to 6 months either. However, as the years go by, you will notice positive changes in your life from taking certain actions.
So, my question for you is this: where would you like to see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
Over the years, I’ve made some changes that have significantly improved my life. I’ve been doing some of these things for a long time. What I’ve noticed is that results, whether they are physical, mental or financial, compound over time from doing certain things. James Clear talks about how to develop life-changing habits and achieve big goals through a series of small steps in his book Atomic Habits.
1. Regular exercise
Exercise is great for your mental and physical health. You don’t need to crush every workout, or run a sub 3-hour marathon to see and feel the benefits of exercise. You can choose whatever physical activity you like best and do that.
Just because I love to run doesn’t mean that you should start running. There are so many activities to choose from. You can bike, ski, lift weights, skate, rollerblade, walk, swim, play tennis, do CrossFit, hike, take fitness classes, dance and much more. I can go on and on about all the different things you can do to get in shape and stay there.
At the start of your fitness journey, try as many activities as you can to see what you enjoy best. You can try many of these things for free or very little money. You don’t need to pay for a gym membership if you hate lifting weights. When it comes to fitness, the world is your playground.
Regular exercise can help improve your physical and mental health. Photo by Jay Wallace.
2. Fix your sleep pattern
I used to have a lot of sleep problems for many reasons. Sometimes, it was because I was worried about “tomorrow” and other times it’s because I couldn’t shut my brain off at night. Once I started sleeping regularly for 7-8 hours a night, I felt 100% better during the day.
Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Avoid staying up too late, especially if you have to wake up early.
Poor sleep affects your ability to stay alert, make decisions, solve problems and perform tasks that require concentration. Lack of sleep can also lead to forgetfulness.
When you don’t get proper sleep, your cortisol levels also rise and you can become more irritable and anxious.
Furthermore, lack of sleep can impair your immune system causing you to get sick more often. It can also disrupt hormones that regulate hunger, leading to increased appetite and cravings, particularly for unhealthy foods.
As you can see, sleep is extremely important for your physical and mental health. I promise you that you will see positive changes in your life once you start getting proper sleep every night.
3. Reduce your alcohol intake
I used to enjoy a couple of beers every evening after coming home from work. On weekends, I would drink a bit more (5 drinks on Friday nights and 5 drinks on Saturday nights).
Over the past two years, I’ve drastically reduced the amount of alcohol I consume. I don’t drink alcohol on weekdays at all anymore. On average, I have about 4 drinks total per weekend (2 on Friday night and 2 on Saturday). Sometimes, I even go a month or more without drinking any alcohol.
Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to liver damage, including fatty liver, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Reducing your alcohol intake gives your liver time to recover and function better. Heavy drinking also increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Reducing your alcohol intake helps lower these risks and improve your overall cardiovascular health.
Cutting back on alcohol also lowers your risk of various other cancers, including mouth, throat, breast, and colon cancer. In addition, drinking less alcohol helps strengthen your immune system.
Alcohol is also a depressant, which means it can contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression, especially if you drink too much. Reducing alcohol can improve mood stability and mental clarity.
Chronic alcohol consumption also hinders your ability to make decisions and solve problems. Not only that, but alcohol is high in calories and offers little nutritional value. Reducing your alcohol intake can help with weight loss or prevent weight gain.
Alcohol is poison so the less you consume, the better you will feel.
4. Drastically cut back on junk food and sugar consumption
I still enjoy the occasional chocolate bar, sweet treat or a bag of chips, but I don’t eat that stuff anywhere near as much as I used to. At the time, it was cheap and it “hit the spot”.
However, junk food and sugary snacks are often high in empty calories, unhealthy fats, and refined sugars. These can contribute to overeating and weight gain, which increases the risk of obesity. Reducing these foods can help maintain a healthy weight.
Excessive consumption of junk food and sugar is linked to higher levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and increased risk of high blood pressure, both of which are significant contributors to heart disease. Furthermore, a diet high in sugar, particularly refined sugars, can lead to insulin resistance, which may eventually develop into type 2 diabetes.
Diets high in sugar and processed foods can also cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels, leading to mood swings, irritability, and feelings of anxiety or depression. Not only that, but also high sugar intake can impair brain function, affecting memory, learning, and overall cognitive performance.
5. Invest in dividend-paying ETFs and stocks
Ever since I received my first small dividend payment, I never looked at a dollar the same way again. Investing in dividend-paying ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) and stocks can be an effective strategy for generating passive income and growing your wealth over time.
Dividend-paying stocks and ETFs provide regular income, typically on a monthly or quarterly basis. You can also reinvest your dividends to accelerate the growth of your passive income. ETFs allow you to diversify your investments across many dividend-paying companies, reducing individual stock risk. Furthermore, a lot of the dividend-paying companies are more stable and less volatile.
It is important to note that all investments carry a risk, so do your research and speak to a financial advisor if you need help.
If you do this consistently enough, your dividend income will eventually match or surpass your salary. When that happens, a whole new world of opportunities will open up for you and you will achieve financial freedom. You will be able to do the work you want to do. You will be able to live life on your own terms and that is the “ultimate flex”.
The only thing I regret about dividend investing is not starting sooner.
6. Stop unnecessary spending on stuff you don’t need
As time went on, I realized I don’t need more stuff. So, I started spending money on fulfilling experiences that I can remember forever (mainly traveling to run marathons). Most of the time, I found ways to have fun without spending money (which allows me to do more of number 5).
Stopping unnecessary spending is a great way to improve your financial situation and prioritize what truly matters. Just because something is on sale, does not mean that you need to buy it.
When you cut back on unnecessary spending, your financial situation will drastically improve. By avoiding unnecessary purchases, you can direct that money into savings, investments, or paying off debts. You’ll also be less likely to rely on credit cards or loans for non-essential items, reducing the potential for accumulating more high-interest consumer debt.
Being in debt leads to stress and gives you fewer choices in life. When you have no debt and enough savings, you can choose to take on a less stressful job or change careers without worrying about money. You can also pursue hobbies and business ventures when you don’t need to be stuck in a job you don’t like. Your journey towards freedom begins with how you choose to spend your hard-earned money.
Resisting the urge to buy things you don’t need also strengthens your ability to control impulses, which can benefit other areas of your life, such as health or work productivity.
By making more intentional decisions about how you spend your money, you not only improve your financial situation but also lead a more focused, balanced, and fulfilling life.
After all, you don’t need a brand new car every few years and another pair of designer jeans or shoes isn’t going to change your life for the better. I would definitely recommend reading The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel (yes, I spend money on books because I value acquiring knowledge).
7. Give more time and money to charitable organizations that are near and dear to your heart
Over the past 2 decades, I’ve done a lot of volunteering, fundraising and donating. I get true joy from giving time and money to organizations that align with my values. I’ve raised a total of over $100,000 for various charities through numerous fundraising initiatives over the last two decades. Without a doubt, my goal is to do more and give more.
A number of studies have shown that giving to charities and volunteering makes us feel happier. For example, running 30 marathons in 30 days to raise money for the Victoria Hospitals Foundation was one of the happiest times in my life.
Even if you don’t feel like you are in a position to donate money to your favorite charities, you can still volunteer or organize a fundraising initiative. Volunteering helps improve your self-esteem and enables you to connect with others. It helps you feel like you belong.
Studies have shown that volunteering reduces stress, combats depression, keeps you mentally stimulated, and provides a sense of purpose. It’s great for your mental and physical health. It can also help you learn new skills and potentially lead you to more fulfilling job opportunities down the road.
I donate my time and money to organizations I care about because it makes me feel good knowing that I’m helping others however I can. I recommend that you also make volunteering and fundraising for charities that are near and dear to your heart a part of your life. I promise that it will give you a new perspective on life.
Volunteering and charitable giving will help you improve your life.
To conclude, if you want to improve your life, start with gradual changes to your behavior. If you exercise regularly, sleep well, reduce your intake of sugar, alcohol and processed foods, as well as invest, don’t overspend and volunteer, your life will improve over time.
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