Success Basics

There are lots of ways to take good care of yourself, and many ways to set yourself up, either for success or failure, in your life. I suggest, strongly, that you identify and choose several simple, daily habits likely to move you toward your ideal life. I’m talking here about the small stuff, like flossing, not the great big stuff, like getting braces as an adult to fix a bite problem. Sure, I also want you to take care of the big ticket items when you need to, but for this exercise I want you to focus on the little activities and behaviors you can replicate with consistency.

Here are my current top 7 success basics (Why 7? I just like odd numbers and 9 seems like too many):

1. Get at least 7 hours of sleep per night; 8 is better!

2. Hydrate by drinking between 75-100 oz. of water per day. Why this much? I’ve found I need about that much living in the high desert climate in Denver for my body to feel good.

3. Work out at least 4 days per week.

4. Eat at least 5 servings of fruit and veggies per day; 9 is the eventual goal.

5. Meditate every day, even if it’s lame and only for 2 minutes.

6. Do stretches every day. This isn’t working out; it's keeping myself limber and flexible, especially since I sit for a living!

7. Connect with my child, partner, family and friends in some way every day. Not every single one of them every day, but some of them each day, even if it’s just a silly text, a hug or an “I love you.”

Please make up your own success basics list. Here are some other ideas to get you started today:

1. Eat a salad.

2. Read something inspiring, uplifting, educational or exciting to you.

3. Take a moment to breathe.

4. Do some yoga.

5. Pet your dog, cat or other animal friend.

6. Smile and really greet the people you meet each day.

7. Engage your spiritual side with reading, church, a group or prayer.

8. Redirect your thoughts from the negative toward the positive.

9. Take a walk outside and lift your face to the sun

10. Clean up clutter in your environment, at work, at home, in your car or even in your mind!

11. End your day with a brief list of what you feel grateful for.