Your Action Plan is a monthly to-do list of tips straight from SUCCESS magazine—10 things you can do right now to improve yourself and your life.
This month, make gratitude your No. 1 focus. Put your family first, be kind to others and relish everything that brings you joy—even the small stuff.
1. Listen.
Happiness lies at the interesction of passion, purpose and skill. Are you in the best position to succeed? Take some time to reflect on where you’ve been, where you are and where you see yourself going.
2. Keep swimming.
When failure hits, it’s easy to miss all of the accomplishments we had along the way. Start an “I Did This” log of all the small or big wins you’ve had on your journey. Read them when you’re feeling down.
3. Look back.
History repeats itself. Looking back can help us to move forward. Call a grandparent and ask them questions. Listen to understand, not to respond.
4. Treat yourself.
This isn’t about the guilt-free doughnut. Reward yourself for achieving a goal by spending time with an old friend or sign up for a fitness class that you would normally deem too expensive.
5. Be informed.
Medical history isn’t just the tedious checklist in the doctor’s waiting room. It’s a tool that can help shape how you plan to live your best and healthiest life. Call your family and get informed.
6. Family First
When you look back on your life, you’ll remember your relationships more than anything else. Make a list of the people and relationships that you need to work toward improving. Carve out time for them.
7. Give forward.
Gratitude isn’t just a thank-you card. It’s paying forward the gifts you’ve been given. Write down your top three strengths and reflect on how you could use those to help others.
8. Relish everything.
The point of self-reflection is to reassess what really matters in your life. As you’re journaling, draw a little star next to each memory that brought you joy. Revisit these regularly.
9. Find feedback.
We don’t always see ourselves as clearly as we could. This week, reach out to your five closest people and ask where they see opportunities for growth in your life.
10. Slow down.
Although there are numerous benefits to a thank-you note, focus on the act of pausing to sit down with a pen and paper. Take a moment to appreciate this gift of a brief pause in a busy world.
