Get organised – mentally, physically & financially for 2019
In my last blog post I mentioned that I would be revealing some of my favourite goal setting journals and diaries for 2019. While I’m here I thought I would also take the time to reveal some of the ways I like to get back on track in ALL areas of life (fitness, health, mental health, finance & relationships). Over the past couple of years I’ve come to realise just how much influence ALL of the above can have on my mental health and energy. I’ve also realised that feeling fulfilled in different areas of your life doesn’t magically happen – it takes work! Just like exercise requires dedication, consistency and persistence; relationships, finance & mental health require the same attention.
I do not expect you to adopt ALL of the below, however, some of these tips & actions may be just what you need to pull yourself into gear & start 2019 with a bang.
Tip #1 – Create a morning routine.
I feel like every blogger, life coach and successful person will give you this tip. They are not lying. My morning routine is VITAL for optimised productivity and mental health throughout the day. The important thing? It has to make you feel amazing and it has to work for you. Don’t adopt my steps below if you know they won’t make you feel motivated. Every individual requires different mental stimulation. I used to hate exercise in the morning but now I use it as a way to kickstart my motivation & put me in the best mental state to start my day. The below are some of my morning rituals which have helped with morning anxiety & increased productivity.
- Wake up before 6am and don’t linger in bed (rather than hit snooze I force myself to get up, make my bed and exercise (count to three in your head & jump out of bed on 3…). If I’m not exercising, I get up, have a shower and take the dog for a walk to get a coffee and usually start work by 7am. Staying in bed and delaying the start to your day can put a drain on your productivity so be sure to start the day right by getting up as soon as your alarm goes off!
- Listen to motivational podcasts (I have provided a list below in Tip #3). This is one of my favourite ways to start the morning because it motivates me to succeed and puts me in the right headspace. It is also a great way to pick yourself up out of a slump. If you are a procrastinator – try listening to a podcast every time you feel your mind going off track – you’d be surprised how much it helps you to get back on track.
- Make a smoothie! I like making a smoothie with plenty of healthy fats, protein & greens (check out my latest smoothie recipe HERE)
- Write your top three priorities for the day & a daily goal you would like to achieve. I also like to number my list of things to do (see my favourite goals journals & diaries below). This ensures that your day has purpose & direction. Remember – if you fail to plan, you plan to fail!
Tip #2 – Set aside time for building relationships
Surrounding yourself with supportive friends and family is VERY important in life. At the start of every week I like to allocate time in my diary for friends & family. Even if it’s just a little phone chat on my lunch break or when I’m walking the dog in the afternoons – having a supportive network is extremely important for mental health. Making NEW friends can also be very beneficial. Step outside your comfort zone and reach out to someone you’d like to become better acquainted with – or say hello & introduce yourself to that person in your gym class – you’d be surprised how amazing it feels to meet new people.
If you are in a relationship, I also recommend setting aside time in the week for “date night” or one-on-one time. Mitch and I like to do puzzles & drink wine – or have a picnic down by the river on a Wednesday night. We also have a relationship diary! It is called “Our Q&A 3 Year Journal for 2 People”. You have to answer questions every single day for three years (it’s a commitment but it is amazing to see the change in your answers over the years).
Tip #3 – Listen to podcasts
Favourites:
The School of Greatness by Lewis Howes
Impact Theory by Tom Bilyeu
Robin Sharma Mastery Sessions
Super Soul Conversations with Oprah
The Melissa Ambrosini Show
The Tony Robbins Podcast
The Skinny Confidential
John Maxwell’s Leadership Podcast
Jenna Kutcher’s Goal Digger
Style your mind by The Champagne Diet
Tip #4 – Set financial goals & stay accountable
This is a step that took me YEARS to put in place. If you’ve watched one of my most recent youtube videos about my business, you would know that I had to invest a lot of money to manufacture my first product. Unfortunately I was left with a bit of debt after the first distribution run. How did I get out of it? I set financial goals & I remained accountable.
A FREE eBook which really helped me to get on top of my finances was by Melissa Browne (download here). I now have set times throughout the week where I review current bills & my financial position. The eBook also offers other tips on how to start automative savings. When you are aware of your position and know how much you want to save (or pay off), it is much easier to work towards achieving your financial goals. I know a lot of people who simply bury their head in the sand and don’t want to look at their finances because they “don’t have time” or it makes them feel like crap. Trust me, I’ve been there! It gets better but it only gets better when you confront your bank account.
One of the first things I did to help my bank account was to review it. I went through each month with a fine tooth comb to check what I was spending on subscriptions, health insurance, my telephone & car. I noticed quite a few plans were more than two years old and there were WAY better options available to me. For example, I used Compare the Market to find a better health insurance which had a higher orthodontic cover so I could get a discount on Insivalign. To check out how to compare your health insurance, CLICK HERE . If you want to compare other types of insurance, CLICK HERE.
I also changed my phone plan so I stopped going over my data limit (phone providers update plans all the time and they don’t have an obligation to tell you so unfortunately you need to constantly check whether you can be upgraded).
To check out some other ways to review your finances in 2019, CLICK HERE
Tip #5 – Get a good goals journal or accountability diary
I could provide a bigger list (I feel there are PLENTY around) but these are the ones I currently use and could not live without.
I love this goals journal because it encourages you to set SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely) goals. This book doesn’t just make you list your goals, it makes you analyse & plan how you’re going to achieve them one step at a time.
Law of Attraction Planner by Freedom Mastery
This is by far my favourite diary. It has helped me SO much and it’s only January. This diary prioritises tasks and includes a daily & monthly planner, manifestation tips, mind maps, a positive habit maker, gratitude lists, weekly quotes from influential people, monthly review and a vision board.
I feel like I could provide a better explanation but all you need to do is click on the link below and check out the youtube video explaining its contents. #notsponsored
Tip #6 – Find exercise that you enjoy!
I personally love group training – it motivates me, encourages me to socialise in the morning and it pushes me (more than I’d push myself if I was alone). I used to go to the gym by myself every week and I have to be honest…I became VERY bored. Boredom lead to a lack of motivation …which lead to me no longer going to the gym. It took a bit of time but after a few trials at different gyms, I finally found one that suited my lifestyle (early classes, small class numbers & no lock-in contract). You may be the opposite to me – you may LOVE going to the gym, listening to your fav playlist and knocking out a workout by yourself. Perhaps you like running, dancing or playing soccer! Find something that motivates you to get out and get your heart pumping. It’s not just about the physical benefits – just 15 minutes of exercise each day can improve mental health & help prevent depression. If you don’t believe me check out this study of 300,000 people (https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/exercise-helps-prevent-depression)
Tip #7 – Clear out your pantry & wardrobe
It sounds simple but a clean house/desk/wardrobe/bedroom promotes a clear mind. De-cluttering your environment can significantly help to de-clutter your mind. Check out my tips on how to de-clutter your pantry HERE.