Good habits can improve your physical and mental health, make you more productive and help you achieve your goals. Plus, good habits make you more likely to make healthy choices and stay organized.
But here's the most remarkable part: good habits can be contagious, influencing and inspiring others to adopt similar healthy practices. Moreover, by surrounding yourself with individuals who share your values, you will have a greater opportunity to flourish and reach your full potential.
So let's plan to develop some awesome habits in the New Year and make it our most successful one yet! Don’t think of it as a resolution, but as a new way of life.
You do not need to wait until the new year to start your journey toward healthy habits. Start now and you will be well on your way to changing the trajectory of your life!
What is a Good Habit?
A good habit is any behavior that benefits your overall well-being and helps you reach your goals.
These healthy habits can be small, like making your bed every morning, improving oral hygiene or taking a daily walk, or they can be more significant… like exercising regularly or eating a healthy diet.
One of the great things about good habits is that they can be developed over time and become automatic, which means you don't have to consciously think about doing them. This can be helpful in the long run because it frees up mental energy for other tasks and helps you stay on track with your goals.
Are you feeling stuck in a rut and ready for a positive change? Well, you're in luck! Good habits can work wonders in not just one, but seven areas of your life!
That's right, developing daily habits to improve your well-being can have a positive ripple effect on your health, relationships, finances, productivity, creativity, personal growth, and more.
Need some inspiration? We've compiled a list of good habits that you can start implementing today to kickstart your journey towards a happier and healthier lifestyle. So pick at least one from our daily habit ideas and let's get started on making those positive changes!
Career Goals
Ah, career goals.
The seemingly never-ending quest to navigate the maze of professional aspirations, while still managing to make it to the gym on time and not forget your kid's science project. It's easy to get lost in the daily grind of life and forget to focus on our personal development.
But fear not, my fellow career climbers! By implementing positive habits like time management and goal-setting, we can stay on track and take those small steps towards our ultimate goals.
And who knows, maybe along the way we'll even discover a new passion or skillset that we never knew existed. So let's get to it, one small step at a time.
1. Landing your dream job
Finding and landing your dream job can be an exciting and fulfilling experience. It's a chance to pursue work that aligns with your passions, values, and skills and can bring a sense of purpose to your daily life.
Action Plan:
2. Get promoted
A career promotion can have many benefits, such as a higher salary and more opportunities. Focusing on getting an upgrade can be a great way to take your career to the next level and achieve your professional goals.
Action Plan:
3. Create a healthy work-life balance
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential for your overall well-being and happiness. Check out our article, 11 Reasons Why Work-Life Balance is Important to help motivate you.
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4. Grow your professional network
Building and growing your network is essential to career development and can open up new opportunities and connections.
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5. Improve your time management skills
Improving your time-management skills can be a game-changer for productivity and overall success. It can help reduce stress and stay organized.
Action Plan:
Finance Goals
It's never too early or too late to set financial goals for yourself.
One of the best daily habits you can develop is to keep track of your progress towards those goals. Whether it's saving for a down payment on a house or paying off credit card debt, make sure you set realistic goals and consistently track these goals.
Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day and neither is financial stability. But with a little dedication and determination, you can achieve your financial dreams one day at a time. So, start tracking your progress and watch those good daily habits turn into long-term financial success!
6. Track your expenses
By keeping track of what you are spending money on, you can identify areas where you might be able to cut back or save more and make more informed decisions about your financial future.
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7. Automate your investments
Automotive investments help you proficiently budget your money. Automatic payments take the stress off meeting deadlines and guarantee investing cash into your account monthly.
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8. Pay off your debt
Paying off your debt is super important because it can help reduce the amount of money you spend on interest and fees, and it can also help improve your credit score.
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9. Save for retirement
Saving for retirement is super important because it helps ensure you have the financial resources you need to live comfortably once you stop working.
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10. Set up an emergency fund
Saving for an emergency fund is essential because it can help you handle unexpected expenses without relying on credit cards or loans.
Action Plan:
Health Goals
Getting started on your health goals can seem overwhelming. But remember, taking care of yourself is like personal development on steroids!
Sure, flossing and brushing might not seem like the most exciting parts of your day, but establishing good oral hygiene is a crucial component of a healthy lifestyle.
And don't forget about physical health! While hitting the gym might not be your idea of a good time, adding a bit of exercise to your daily routine can make a world of difference.
So go on, make those health goals and get ready to unleash the best version of yourself!
11. Lose weight
Losing weight is important because it can help improve your overall health and well-being. You can also read more about necessary weight loss habits to help keep you on track.
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12. Increase physical activities
Whoever said “old habits die hard” must not have known about the power of good habits.
For those looking to improve their physical health, practicing daily good habits can be a game changer. Whether it's taking a brisk walk around the block or consistently drinking water instead of soda, implementing a list of habits can make all the difference in feeling your best.
So, why not get rid of those bad habits (looking at you, midnight snackers) and embrace a healthier lifestyle? Your body (and your taste buds) will thank you.
Action Plan:
13. Eat a healthy breakfast
You’ll find that starting your day off with a nourishing meal leaves you feeling energized and ready to tackle whatever comes your way.
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14. Improve your mental health
Focusing on your mental health is important because it impacts every aspect of your life. Taking care of your mental health can help you feel happier, more confident, and more resilient.
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15. Improve your sleep
Improving sleep is crucial because it can significantly impact your overall health and well-being. When you get enough quality sleep, you're more likely to feel energized, alert, and able to handle the challenges of the day.
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16. 30-minute workout goal
Regular physical activity can help you build strength, improve cardiovascular health, and reduce your risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
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17. Begin healthier eating habits
Healthy eating habits seem to be all the rage these days. Everyone is talking about the magic of kale smoothies and chia seed pudding.
While it's great that people are becoming more aware of the link between diet and physical health, sometimes it can feel overwhelming to know where to start. Follow the simple action plan below to improve your eating habits.
Action Plan:
Leisure Goals
When it comes to leisure goals, we all have our own list of habits we want to cultivate.
After all, successful people often credit their diligence and discipline as key components in their achievements. Whether it's reading more books, practicing yoga, or finally learning that second language, the possibilities are endless.
And while it may be tempting to add “binge-watching Netflix” to that list (I mean, come on, who doesn't love a good marathon?), it's important to remember the difference between relaxation and mindless time-wasting.
So go ahead and embrace your leisure goals, but just be mindful of how you're spending your precious few hours of free time.
18. Find a new hobby
Discovering a new hobby can be so much fun because it allows you to try something new and potentially find a new passion.
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Ideas for hobbies and activities:
- 75 Hobbies for Women to Relax and Enjoy Life
- 101 Hobbies for Men to Add Happiness to Your Life
- 45 Best Hobbies for Couples to Share Together
- 61 Fun Things & Activities to Do at Home When Bored
19. Discover new places
Discovering new places as a hobby can be fun because it allows you to explore and learn about different cultures and environments. Also, traveling can help you disconnect from your daily routine, relax, and recharge.
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20. Join a sports team
Participating in sports can help you improve your physical fitness, develop teamwork skills, and boost your confidence.
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21. Be more creative
Being more creative can be rewarding because it allows you to express yourself and explore new ideas. Plus, engaging in creative activities can help you relax, reduce stress, and improve your mental health.
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22. Read and write more
Reading and writing more can be beneficial because it helps you expand your knowledge and improve your communication skills.
Action Plan:
Personal Growth Goals
Personal growth goals can often feel intimidating, like a daunting mountain you have to climb. But what if I told you that achieving personal growth can be as simple as a tiny habit?
That's right, by establishing a daily habit – no matter how small – you can make strides towards reaching your personal growth goals. Don't underestimate the power of a tiny, daily habit – it just might be the key to unlocking your personal growth potential.
[See small habits that can have a big impact on your life]
23. Improve self-esteem and confidence
Improving your self-esteem is essential because it can positively impact your overall well-being and happiness.
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24. Practice gratitude
Practicing gratitude is important because it can help you focus on the positive aspects of your life and cultivate a more positive mindset.
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25. Become a better listener
Being a better listener is essential because it can help you build stronger relationships, improve your communication skills, and increase your understanding of others.
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26. Challenge yourself
Challenging yourself is important because it can help you grow and learn new things. When you push yourself out of your comfort zone and take on new challenges, you are more likely to develop new skills and increase your confidence.
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27. Be kind to yourself
When you are kind to yourself, you are more likely to feel good about yourself, handle stress more effectively, and have a more positive outlook on life.
Action Plan:
Relationship Goals
We've all seen the posts on social media about “relationship goals.” But what exactly does that mean?
Instead of focusing on superficial aspects like matching outfits or grand gestures, why not aim for good daily habits and setting daily goals together?
Whether it's working towards a fitness goal, trying out new recipes, or simply taking the time to ask each other about their day, incorporating these habits into your daily routine can make a world of difference.
Who needs grand gestures when you can have a fulfilling relationship built on small, meaningful moments?
28. Spend more time together
When you make time for each other, you can engage in activities and engaging couple conversations that help you get to know each other better and build a deeper understanding of each other's thoughts, feelings, and needs.
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29. Build a stronger connection
Building strong connections in a relationship is crucial because it helps you create a sense of intimacy and trust with your partner.
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30. Make new friends
When you have a diverse group of friends, you are more likely to have a greater sense of belonging and support, which can help you feel happier and more fulfilled.
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31. Improve your ability to resolve conflicts
When you address conflicts positively and constructively, you are more likely to feel heard and understood and improve your interpersonal communication skills.
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32. Build professional relationships
Developing professional relationships is important because it can help you build a strong network of colleagues and mentors who can support and help you in your career. Also, it’s always better to work with people you consider friends.
Action Plan:
Spirituality Goals
If you're looking to improve your spirituality, it's not rocket science – in fact, it's all about quality time and daily habits. Whether you choose to meditate, read, or simply reflect, the key is to make your spiritual practice a part of your daily routine.
After all, better habits make for a better you – and when it comes to your relationship with the universe (or whatever higher power you may believe in), consistency is key.
33. Stay present
Staying present is important because it can help you be more mindful and aware of your surroundings and experiences. When you are present, you are more likely to be fully engaged and focused, which can help you make the most of each moment.
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34. Improve meditation
When you make time for daily meditation, you are more likely to feel calmer, more focused, and more resilient, which can help you navigate the challenges of everyday life more effectively.
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35. Expand your spiritual resources
Expanding your spiritual resources is essential because it can help cultivate a sense of meaning and purpose.
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36. Live by the 80/20 rule
Living by the 80/20 rule is important because it can help you achieve a better balance in your life and avoid burnout. The 80/20 rule suggests that you should focus on the things most important to you and let go of the less important things.
Action Plan:
37. Spend time in nature
When you spend time in nature, you are more likely to feel relaxed, refreshed, and rejuvenated, which can help you manage stress and improve your mood.
Action Plan:
Nature Goals
38. Bring the outdoors indoors
One habit that is sure to pay dividends each day is to bring something from nature indoors. Adding a plant or some greenery to your home is not only peaceful for your soul, but it will also boost the oxygen in your home, improving your brain power. Make it your habit to have nature in your home.
Action Plan:
39. Adopt a pet
Our connection to animals is what really brings out our tender side, and it’s good for the soul too. Spending time with animals can help fight off depression and give you a reason to live.
Action Plan:
40. Climb a mountain
When you feel like you can’t accomplish anything, try climbing a mountain. In fact, make mountain climbing a weekly or monthly habit. There’s nothing that can give you a better sense of accomplishment.
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41. Save nature
Nature is constantly being threatened, and for some of us, the ability to be a protector is important to our sense of self. Why not protect nature? Not only is this a great way to get rid of frustrations and feel like you matter, but being a nature warrior is sure to be fun too.
Action Plan:
42. Leave a legacy in life
While it’s fun to join existing nature funds and clubs, there’s something special about creating your own initiative. Consider where there’s a need in your area or in the wider world for the protection of nature. Perhaps you can help raise funds for research, preservation, and education. Imagine having a local park named after you one day!
Action Plan:
Social Goals
43. Let go of inhibitions
Most of us have some social inhibitions, and while not all inhibitions are bad, we sometimes hold back, and this stops us having a really good time when we socialize. Perhaps you feel inhibited from talking with strangers or dancing at a club—make it your habit to challenge your own inhibitions.
Action Plan:
44. Widen your conversational knowledge
Running out of things to talk about can really ruin your social interactions. If you live a very tunnel-like or silo-like life, you may not have enough information to talk about. Make it your habit to learn from people and from other sources of information, so you broaden your conversational knowledge.
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45. Develop better networking skills
Networking is a great skill to develop for your career, but it can also be an excellent habit to engage with. When you make networking your habit, you see opportunities everywhere, and you engage with people in a real and meaningful way. This is not something you turn on or off; it is something you habitually work on in each interaction.
Action Plan:
46. Take a break from life
Being social is a good thing, but sometimes (whether you’re an introvert or not) you need time out and away from the hustle of life. Make it your habit to take a break from life every once in a while and take care of your self-care routine. Slowing things down helps you see life with fresh eyes and let go of things you are maybe holding onto.
Action Plan:
47. Be a better companion or partner
A great social habit to form is to be a great partner and companion to those who socialize with you. Make it your habit to check on their comfort, and whether you can do more to ensure you and your companions have a great time when out. Habitually being courteous and socially aware is a rare quality that will always stand you in good stead, so make it a habit.
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Final Thoughts on Good Daily Habits for 2023
Good daily habits are essential to follow if you want to make positive changes in your life. Better habits will help us to achieve our goals and improve our overall well-being. These are not fly-by-night resolutions or whims, but rather building blocks for living our best life.
Establishing a routine and sticking to it can increase productivity, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve our physical and mental health. They also make us more likeable, as we inspire others to be the change they want to see.
So try out one or ALL of these good daily habits as you venture into the new year. Don’t be afraid to push yourself to become a better you… the best you!
And, if you need help tracking your progress, try one of our Free Daily Planner Templates to help reach your daily habits goals!
Finally, if you need help with building habits, then check out this nine-step blueprint that walks you through the entire process of creating lifelong habits.)
Hey Darlene — Congratulations on leaving the first comment on this blog 🙂
You’re right. You definitely could flip that one comment and make it more giving to others.
Any other suggestions to add to the list?
-S.J.
I know! LOL
When I noticed I was the first one I almost fell over myself trying to get to my computer.. Haha!
I thought “How fun is that?” What a kick 🙂
~ darlene
Yeah, pretty exciting. 🙂 Hopefully you will be the first of thousands
My guess is this post will go down as one of your more popular posts.. I know I’m going to Tweet it out as soon as I finish this comment.
Hey, you can flip #7 from “Ask for a hug from one person a day.” to “Give a hug to one person a day!” Hah!
Habits are who we are so yes.. they can definitely change our lives, no doubt about it
darlene 🙂
My man… Stevey Scotty…. love the new site! bought your no bullshit course and I building my authority site… 🙂 u are the best!
Values and Inspiration take care of all these 568 habits.
Your values drive your habits. You get them right and you won’t have to worry about all these habits…
… And inspiration has magic in it, Inspiration (like Red Bull) gives you wings!
If you value your health – you will exercise, sleep enough, eat well and not smoke, you will have good habits. You will look into how you can strengthen these pillars. Social pressures and your environment will not impact on your values – if they are strong enough.
If you value the freedom of a lifestyle-business, you will work hard to set it up – or – if you value watching T.V. more, you will watch T.V. in place working on your business. If you value your relationships you will spend time and effort on them etc etc.
Real life example 1… If someone doesn’t exercise and eats poorly over a holiday period, it is not so much about a change in habits, the person simply does not hold his/her: health, body, gratitude for what it does (body) – high enough.
2. If a person drinks too much and or can’t “say no” to an invitation to drink or no “to one more” – the same applies; he/she’s health-values are not stronger than the impulse or social pressure to drink.
Keep it simple
Awesome comments Anthony. The one thing I would add is there is a phenomenon called the “Hot/Cold Empathy Gap.” We all want to make changes and we see the positive outcomes of these goals. So we’ll make grand plans and do our best to stick to them. But, what often happens is we *forget* what it’s like to be in the moment when temptation to “do a bad habit” arises.
For instance, let’s say you’d like to stop eating fast food. It’s easy to say you’ll never do it again, but then one day it’s 9 at night you haven’t eaten, and you’re too tired to cook, so it seems okay to “do it just the one time.”
I think people all want to change…but the key is to have a plan for what to do in every situation. I’ll expand on this in future posts.
Awesome! Appreciate you sharing it.
Yeah exactly Scott. People embarking on change should imagine themselves – in the future being put in positions that push them away from the goals (social pressures, change of routine an environment) and come with strategies to tackle temptation when it appears.
Cheers
Couldn’t agree more. Knowing how to respond to temptations is really the key to making a permanent change.
Hello SJ! I am new to your site and I’m liking it 🙂 Good work.
What I want to say to your list is – YES YES YES!
Today, I’m going to 1. Do something kind for someone 2. Have a walk in the woods 3. Look up at the stars tonight.
Will definitely return to this list again for another injection of positivity.
Thank you 🙂
Jess,
Really happy that you found the site, the list and enjoyed it. I am even happier that you got some good takeaway and that you are taking a few small actions from the list to make your life a little bit better. I actually just got back from my own walk in the woods for the day, and I will have to make sure I look at the stars tonight myself, and find some way to do something nice. Always a good reminder to do those small things.
Have a wonderful day, thanks for your comment, and hope to see you around again,
-SJ
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful list. There are suggestions for each and every situation or issues in life. All the points are helpful in our day to day life. Its awesome!
Rainer, Glad you liked it
Hello Mr.Scott,
I went through 30 days 10 years ago ; I didn’t sleep for 30 days but 4 hours. I suddenly became scared of the dark. When I would lie down to sleep, as I started to doze off, I would gasp for my breath and wake myself up.My blood pressure went from normal to one week 3 times of 389/153
and the highest was 396/202. Horrible. One night I could not sleep, (it was the last day of the 30 days). I took ambian, then benadryl, then sonoma, then valium, then 4 demerol. This is in 4 hrs time. I was so upset, I didn’t care if I lived or died, I just wanted to sleep. Finally, I started kicking the walls and screaming. My husband came running and called my doctor. She told him to take me to ER. They did a sleep study. Nothing. Turns out later the docs diagnosed me as Manic, and having OCD. Once the put me on a antidepressant things got better, but I cannot sleep without taking 2 xanax a night. I hate how I feel when I wake up. I want to sleep without a medicine. I have tried herbal tea, valerian root, melatonin, tapes, deep breathing, new mattress, nothing. My doc says I will never sleep again without medication. I think she is right. It is the catch 22. In my mind when I know it’s bedtime, I dread it, and I automatically think I know I am not going to sleep. So I don’t.Could someone hypnothsis me into forgetting that I ever had a sleeping problem. You never really think about sleeping, you just take it for granted, but once you have this kind of experience, well, you just know you will never sleep without something.
thanks for listening.
carolyn lindsay
Carolyn,
Wow! It seems like you really do have a very bad sleeping issue. I am very sorry to hear about your problems. It sounds like it is such a serious issue that your doc is right. My only question is, when you saw the doctor was it a psychiatrist? It does sound like a lot of your issue is mental. (it is amazing the bad bad -and good- things our minds can do to us.) I am sure there are some psychiatrists or psychologists who could help you work through the issues and either reduce or hopefully eliminate your issues. 396/202 BP, that is insanely high. I will be hoping for the best for you and praying that you beat your serious sleep issues.
Warm regards and best of luck,
Steve
Great list. I particularly like the way you break it up to show a desired outcome and the suggested action. Your work is a recent discovery for me and I have completed an Amazon review in the UK for every book of yours that I have read. I believe that those little changes that you advocate make a substantial difference in your reader’s lives. Keep up the good work.
Hi,it is important list. We should know it and if there is more to it, then it is also better.Thanks.
1.Wise sharing. I am grateful to you and my respect to your parents.
2.Wishes all your happiness.
3.Now Man are blind by MONEY. Money & morality are two major deciding factor of the life.
4.I love morality. I am happy & peaceful.
I enjoyed your wisdom. Thank you again.
MANUBHAI JAGATCHELA.
Great list thank you!!! Some real gems for all areas of life. I’m definitely starting my year off with the 15 minute task to further my business. Cheers!
Such a great list ! I really like the way it’s displayed like : ‘If you want to do this then try the following…’
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Cheers
love this….
I also suggest meditating every day, for atleast 2 mins. increase the length of meditation time daily if you want. meditating isn’t as complicated as some make it out to be. you can google or youtube meditation guided visualizations nowadays. set your intention for the meditation before you begin(maybe even write it down to anchor in your spirit) and let out a big sigh of relief at beginning. this is a time you are setting aside for yourself so really take it in.
its been a life saver for me.. calms me down..even just knowing that i carved out that time for myself, helps the day, and in the bigger benefits my whole life. it even has proven health benefits.
🙂
I totally agree. I had not done much with meditation when I first wrote this post. But I have tired it a lot since my writing partner, Barrie Davenport has encouraged me to try it. We even wrote extensively about meditation, visualization etc. in our recent book Declutter your Mind. Thanks for pointing out meditation was a little underrepresented in the list. I may have to redo it for 204 or 205 some time in the future.
I would like to get across my admiration for your generosity for those individuals that must have guidance on in this study.
Your real dedication to getting the solution across appeared to be pretty useful
and have specifically made most people like me to realize
their ambitions. Your entire warm and helpful recommendations can mean a whole lot a person like me
and far more to my colleagues. Regards; from all of us.
I am so glad that i found this post. Thanks for sharing this list with the world S.J. By the time i got to 203 i had already shared this post with family and friends. Its simplistic and straightforward habits to follow. I have bookmarked this page, i am going to return to this list everyweek to see how much progress i have made. 158 is checked off for today ; )
#82 – you shouldn’t do squats every day – this is a terrible way to build muscle.
You can work up to doing squats every other day if you can. I’m 31 and been working out for about 5 years seriously – and I don’t even work out legs every other day. I recommend doing lunges, squats, calf raises, and dips – once every 3-4 days. Squats every day – try just going for a walk and ordering a salad with a protein and some health fats – you will be fine. =)
You Guys are awesome, made a difference in my life. Thank you and grateful for the knowledge shared.
I’ve been to this page many times before to look about the habits. In the last few months, I’ve developed a reading habit and doing journaling for about 15 minutes every day in the morning.
I must say that it’s very difficult to develop an even smallest of habits. I’ve poor money habits… Will develop a few soon. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thanks for this amazing post.