Tag: habits

Practice Makes Perfect – What Are You Perfecting?

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

Aristotle

Is social media the first thing you check when you open your eyes? Then it’s no surprise you find yourself on Instagram or Twitter throughout the day without consciously opening the app. Do you get home and immediately turn the TV on every day to “unwind”? Then it’s no surprise you’d have the remote buttons memorized while you scroll through shows for the rest of the night.

It’s important to recognize and understand two things:

1. It’s not enough to set a goal; you must identify what habits you want to form to achieve that goal

2. You get better at what you practice consistently

Let’s say your goal is to save an extra $100 by the end of the month for the next year. Great, you’ve set your goal. However, habitually, you spend $50 from each check going out to eat with friends. Well, if you’ve set your goal without identifying what habit you want to change or adopt, you’ll have saved $0 by the end of the month.

You master what you practice consistently. That means the first month you choose to say no to friends in order to save your money towards your goal is going to be hard. But if by the middle of the year you remain firm with the expectations you’ve set for yourself, saving your money and finding alternatives like inviting friends over for a movie night will become second nature; and as a result, you’ll achieve your goal and feel empowered to strive for more.

Quit holding yourself back by staying committed to habits you know are detrimental. Set your goal, set the habits you’ll adopt to achieve your goal, and hold yourself accountable for your actions in whichever way works best for you (some people tell their friends, others journal to declare the expectation). You master what you practice consistently – what are you perfecting?

I’m always working to be a better version of myself and hope my tips can help you on your journey. I’d love to hear back from you – comment below!

Moving to a New City: Tips for Success

“If we were meant to stay in one place, we would have roots instead of feet.”

Rachel Wolchin

Your first time moving to a new city can be intimidating. Aside from the more obvious concerns like living arrangements, there are other just-as-important factors that are often forgotten or ignored until it’s too late. Whether you’re just thinking about moving or in the process of making the change, here are few tips to help you successfully plan and transition to your new home:

▪ Living proximity to necessities – when apartment hunting, your primary concern will be proximity to your job; however, it’s just as important to consider your proximity to living necessities like grocery stores, pharmacies, and your favorite activities. If you neglect these aspects, you’ll end up spending more than you intend (or can afford) on food, delivery fees, and hygienic products. Aside from the financial burden, if you don’t consider the proximity to your favorite activities, it’ll be extremely easy to forget your reasons for moving in the first place which can ultimately lead to a feeling of regret or depression.

▪ Wardrobe essentials – with the chaos of moving, it’s easy to forget the seasonal changes you’ll face in the upcoming future. As a result, you’ll wait ‘till last minute to get the items you need – albeit a new coat, better shoes, or necessary bottoms – and miss out on the sales. Don’t be this person! In your planning stages of moving, when you’re budgeting your expenses, identify the seasons you’ll experience, research peak shopping times for that season, and set aside money to spend on an appropriate wardrobe if you don’t already own it.

▪ Meeting new people – the level of difficulty associated with making new & lasting connections depends on your personality, for some it’s effortless and for others it’s exhausting. The good news is that with the level of technology in our society and the increasing desire to grow and relate as whole, networking is easier than ever. Use the internet to find events you’d be interested in and use those events to meet individuals you would otherwise not meet on the way home from work who share similar interests as you. When moving to a new city it is essential to expose yourself to a variety of activities and networking events to build a community of people you can feel comfortable around.

There’s a lot that goes into moving to a new city, and frankly it would be impossible to dissect it all in a post; but hopefully these tips can provide an additional level of guidance when embarking on a new journey. What’s important to takeaway is this – do your research, save as much as you can for unexpected expenses (because they will happen!), and don’t feel discouraged by the hardships you’ll face as they can only make you stronger.

I’m always working to be a better version of myself and hope my tips can help you on your journey. I’d love to hear back from you – comment below!