10 Ways To Improve Your Life

Aside from taking care of family, success, happiness, and good health are three things many people want to achieve in life. However, if you’re like me it seems like sometimes your life has stalled. Maybe it was a tough day at work or you’re just tired of doing the same things. After all, it’s hard to see how your life is progressing when you’re living it so closely. I wanted to share 10 ways I have improved my quality of life over the past year.

1. Don’t be afraid what other people think

I used to (and sometimes still do) care what people think about me. It’s a tough thing to let go. In middle school, I was often worried about wearing something weird and standing out from the crowd. However, I’ve learned that caring too much about what other people think about you is just a big anchor and time waster.

The only thing that matters is what you think about yourself. Life suddenly becomes much easier and less stressful when you constantly stop thinking about how other people view you.

2. Read more

Reading is a great way to improve your knowledge base and generate more income. In fact, books are probably the highest ROI investments you will ever make! Think about it, for just $10, you can pick the brains of some of the most successful people in the world! It’s hard to replicate that kind of return in the stock market!

3. Keep a journal

I have a secret: I keep a hand written journal. Keeping a journal is great because it allows you to reflect on your past and keep track of your progress. I like to write in my journal once or twice a week and keep track of my accomplishments, failures, and goals. When I go back and read earlier entries, it feel like I’m a different person sometimes!

Plus, I always thought it would be a cool thing to pass down over the generations. Would’t you like to have your great great great grandparent’s journals?

4. Hit the gym

Forget about money, your health is your most important investment! What’s the point in being a multi-millionaire if you’ve got major medical issues that could be easily solved with regular exercise?

Hitting the gym on a regular basis will reduce your medical bill significantly over the long run. Five months ago I made a commitment to start using the gym more. Today, I lift weights four times a week and also squeeze in yoga once.

Regularly going to the gym has been one of my smartest investments. Not only do I feel great, but I’m saving a ton of money in the long run. Research shows that basic exercise (such as walking regularly) can save you $2,500 a year. Not bad for a $30/month fee for my local gym!

For some people, going to the gym can sometimes feel like a chore. I would highly recommend going with a friend. When I first started months ago, I tagged along with a few friends I knew that hit the gym on a regular basis. It really motivated me and the social aspect made it seem less like a chore.

5. Make extra income

Making money from a side hustle is a great feeling. It’s nice knowing you can take care of yourself a little without answering to an employer. In the age of the internet, it is totally possible to make money through a variety of side hustles!

Making side hustle money has many benefits:

• Makes you hungry to work harder
• Allows extra savings (or spending money)
• Potential to create a real business

I never started my first side hustle until ~7 months ago. Now, I can’t imagine life without the extra income!

Interested in making extra money? Check out some of these blogs that discuss how regular people make extra money on the side:

• Centsibly Rich: My Side Hustles: How I’ve Made Money as a Stay At Home Mom

• Financial Panther: September 2016 Side Hustle Report

• Distilled Dollar: Creating a Successful Side Hustle

• 30 Days to X:  Five Businesses You Can Start For Less Than $10

• Think Save Retire:  Three lessons to know before pursuing a side hustle

6. Balance saving and spending

While saving money is important, I think some people take it to very extremes. It’s one thing to be frugal, but it’s another thing stop going out with friends, eating like crap, or even risking your health to save money. What’s the point of saving/having money if you’re miserable, unhealthy, and alone? Being frugal should be a balance between making financially smart decisions and enjoying life!

7. Never be afraid to fail

This is a hard one for pretty much everyone. Failing sucks. It’s downright depressing, it can be humiliating, and no one likes it. Yet, I’ve learned that by trying new things and failing, you’re already ahead of 80%+ of the people who were too afraid to go ahead.

As long as you learned something (i.e. a new skill or new insights) it’s never a complete loss. About a month ago I tried launching my first Udemy course as a side hustle. It didn’t do to well, but I learned a lot in the process…like how to make videos and edit out background noise, how to teach better, and how to market a product. When I make my second course, I’ll be much more prepared!

Fail as much as you can because you’ll eventually succeed.

8. Set expectations low and blow them out of the water

One reason why people fail to achieve their goals is because they set them sky high and get discouraged when they don’t come anywhere close. I have been a victim of this mindset before and it’s not fun! In my experience, it’s better to take baby steps and set easier and simpler goals to get you to the ultimate endgame.

9. Take a short vacation/break

Getting away for a weekend or in the middle of the week can be refreshing. Sometimes it’s just nice to get away and be alone for a while. It helps clear the mind and avoid massive burnout. Every six months or so I like to go on a solo vacation (or tag along with a travel buddy) somewhere domestically. It helps keep me sane.

10. Learn how to cook

Cooking is a great skill to have no matter how wealthy you are. First, it’s a much cheaper alternative than eating out (check out how I eat for $2 per day). Second, it allows you to eat healthier! Cutting out horrible junk food and sugar is half the battle of eating healthier and losing weight.

Third, it’s a great date night activity. Finally, cooking is a great skill to have to bond with friends and family. How many great dinner parties have you been to recently?

Final thoughts

Sometimes life moves slower than you would like, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t making progress, being more successful, or becoming a better person. Improving your quality of life is a life-long mission!

Readers, what are some ways you have improved your quality of life recently? I’d love to hear them!