If you do just one thing this year

If you do just one thing new this year—do this:


Give yourself the gift of one hour to yourself within the next few weeks. You can find it. Ask for help if you need to. You deserve one hour.

Put yourself in a place of quiet and comfort where you can think and reflect. Perhaps it’s a hot bath, with candles and music. Perhaps it is sitting by a warm fire or at a window overlooking nature. Perhaps it’s at your favorite park or beach. Whatever it is for you, create your space and your one hour timeframe for yourself.

During your one hour, reflect on your wellbeing. What do you do for yourself that keeps you functioning at your peak? Make sure these are things that you do for yourself, and not others. What feeds you emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, physically? What do you know has worked well for you in the past that you would like to keep doing or incorporate more of?

Choose 10 things that you can and want to do daily to keep you well. Write them down.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Exercise for 20 minutes each day.
2. Floss my teeth
3. Have 10 minutes of quiet or meditation for myself
4. Get a massage
5. Eat at least 3 fruits or vegetables each day
6. Drink at least 3 glasses of water each day
7. Give myself a facial
8. Set aside time to read
9. Set aside time to be creative, paint, scrapbook
10. Set aside time to write
11. Feed myself positive messages through books or recordings
12. Do some weight training
13. Laugh—watch a funny movie once a week
14. Spend time with my loved one—schedule it if necessary
15. Apply moisturizer
16. Give/Receive at least 4 hugs
17. Take a multi-vitamin
18. Brush my teeth—whiten if necessary
19. Be grateful
20. Manicure my nails

Now that you have your list of ten things, you will want to have them available to you visually every day. What is the best way for you to see them every day? Everyone may be different, but here are a few ideas:

• Tape the list on the bathroom mirror
• Put the list on the refrigerator door
• Tape the list to your cereal box
• Tape the list on your computer monitor
• Tape the list on the back of your Blackberry or cell phone
• Send yourself an automated daily e-mail
• Print off multiple copies and put a copy of the list in your lunch every day
• Put a copy of the list in your wallet
• Put a copy of the list in your workout bag
• Put a copy of the list in your closet
• Put a copy of the list on your TV
• Put a copy of the list by your bed so it's the first thing you see when you wake up
I use index cards for my list of habits. It is the perfect size for me. Find what works for you.

You can also engage the help of friends and family who might like to do this as well. Hold each other accountable to committing to your 10 daily habits. Check on each other. Send a supportive e-mail or phone mail.

The more focus you have on your 10 daily habits that keep you well, the more well you will be! When you are well, you achieve more while doing less. Try it. Test it. It works every time.