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Do you ever feel like you’re spinning your wheels and not getting anywhere? It could be because you’re neglecting the power of small daily habits. Research shows that small daily habits are the building blocks for success. When you develop these habits, you not only feel more in control of your life but have a newfound energy and positivity to take on whatever comes your way. Get ready to discover the power of small daily habits and learn how they can make a big impact on your life. In this article, you will learn 6 essential habits you need to make a lasting positive transformation in your life.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” 

– Aristotle

1. Develop simple routines to start and end your day

It needn’t be complicated or take alot of time. The simpler the better actually. When I get up in the morning I have a cup of coffee and do a couple colour-by-numbers on my phone. This is my quiet time to let myself wake up slowly. I read my daily devotional then start my day by jotting down a few tasks in my bullet journal to get me pointed in the right direction.

At night I have a cup of herbal tea, get into my pj’s and prep my meds for the next day. After I get into bed I read for a bit and that’s it – Short, simple and easy but it lets my mind know it’s time to go to sleep.

You might want to add other things to your start and end routines like a gratitude journal, a to-do list, a soothing bath or shower or any number of things that help you to begin and end your days on the right note.

2. Always have a water bottle with you and drink from it

This one has been said over and over and over. And for good reason. Water is good for you and almost everyone needs to drink more. Your brain is the first part of your body to be affected by a lack of water. You may experience headaches and fatigue. So drink more water. Get yourself a pretty water bottle if that helps but really anything will do. I use an empty orange juice bottle.

3. Serve people around you with Random Acts of Kindness

There’s something about doing something nice for someone else that just makes you feel so good. Compliment the cashier, pay for a stranger’s coffee, bring a meal to a shut-in or volunteer to read to seniors. Whatever works for you and fits into your schedule. It doesn’t have to take long and it will pay you back tenfold. You owe it to yourself.

4. Learn to say no to things that don’t add value

Do you say yes to everything? Maybe it’s time to stop and figure out what really enriches your life. Think about your values and where you want to go in life and cut out the things that don’t fit. Saying no isn’t really that difficult. If you have trouble with ‘no’ then try statements like ‘Let me think about it’, or ‘Thanks for thinking of me. Maybe another time.’

5. Be gentle with yourself, body, mind and soul

Make yourself a priority. This is a particularly difficult one for me. While raising my 4 kids they were my main priority and I always felt I didn’t have time to do things just for me. Now they are all grown and flown with families of their own. I have all the time in the world and still find self-care a challenge.

Find something you enjoy that doesn’t involve anyone else. It could be a nice hot bubble bath, a walk in nature, working on a hobby or just sitting with a cup of coffee and enjoying the sunrise. Take a few minutes every day to focus on you! I recently bought a new book of daily devotions and have been trying to read one every day and spend a few minutes in contemplation—one of the most satisfying things I do just for me.

6. Start noticing the beauty of small everyday things

There are miracles and beauty all around us every day. Do you take time to notice them? I’ve always loved nature and gardening. Growing things are fascinating – from a tiny seed to a sprout, to a plant, to a flower. It will never cease to amaze me.

Look around and find something that may be ordinary but is also amazing when you think about it. Take time to ponder and feel that sense of awe. It can put other things into perspective. Have you ever thought about what it takes to get running water into your home, or how the food you eat daily gets to you? What about the complexity of a single snowflake or a grain of salt?

This list is just a start. There are many more small habits that would be great to incorporate into your day. Try adding one at a time and wait until it truly becomes habit before adding another. Now that you have some insight into the power of small habits, take the first step by jotting down a list of achievable habits that will help you reach your desired goals. Please share in the comments your small habits that have made a big impact on your life.