8 Habits that Changed My Life

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares eight unconventional habits that have significantly improved their life. From the common practices like exercising and eating healthy to unique habits such as giving the better plate to guests and photographing sentimental items before discarding them, each habit is grounded in fostering integrity, gratitude, and personal growth. The speaker also emphasizes simple yet transformative practices like cold showers, the two-minute rule, and creating a peaceful home environment. By exploring these habits, the video encourages viewers to reflect on their own habits and how they can improve their mental and emotional well-being.

Takeaways

• 😀 Prioritize integrity and service to others, like offering guests the better plate when preparing food, to build self-respect and happiness.
• 😀 Photograph sentimental items before discarding them, as the memory is in your mind, not the object. This helps with decluttering and emotional attachment.
• 😀 Use cold showers as a gratitude trigger by listing things you're thankful for when exposed to cold water, which strengthens your sense of gratitude.
• 😀 Create a peaceful home environment by incorporating incense, ambient music, and loose-fitting clothing to make your space a sanctuary away from the chaos.
• 😀 Write two to-do lists daily: one for the ideal tasks and another for the bare minimum, helping you manage stress and prioritize effectively.
• 😀 Apply the two-minute rule: if a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately to reduce procrastination and keep your life organized.
• 😀 Spend quality time with your dogs, such as playing fetch, as a way to maintain a healthy work-life balance and connect with nature.
• 😀 Ask yourself 'How is this the best thing that ever happened to me?' when faced with adversity to reframe negative situations and cultivate a positive mindset.
• 😀 Integrating small, consistent habits into your daily routine, such as the ones above, can lead to significant, long-term improvements in your life.
• 😀 The importance of taking a mental approach to reframing your thoughts helps you develop neuroplasticity, allowing you to view challenges from a more positive perspective.

Q & A

What is the significance of giving the guest the better plate when serving a meal?

Giving the guest the better plate reflects two important ideas: integrity (doing the right thing when no one is looking) and service to others, both of which are paths to self-respect and happiness. It allows you to practice serving others and builds positive habits, as small actions echo into larger aspects of life.

Why does the speaker photograph sentimental items before throwing them away?

The speaker photographs sentimental items to preserve the memory without being weighed down by physical objects. This habit began after a personal experience of decluttering, where they realized that the memory associated with the object could be preserved through a photo instead of keeping the item itself.

How does the practice of cold showers relate to gratitude?

The speaker uses cold showers as a gratitude trigger by listing five things they are grateful for while experiencing the cold. This practice has conditioned their mind to naturally associate cold water with gratitude, fostering a habit of thankfulness.

What is the role of incense and ambient music in the speaker’s life?

Incense and ambient music are used to create a calming, peaceful environment at home, reinforcing the idea that home is a sanctuary. This practice helps the speaker disconnect from the chaos of the world and promotes a peaceful mindset, making them less inclined to engage in disruptive habits like checking social media or drinking.

Why does the speaker write two to-do lists every day?

The two to-do lists help the speaker manage their tasks by distinguishing between what they want to accomplish and what is absolutely necessary to avoid future stress. This reduces feelings of guilt and allows them to feel accomplished even on lazy days while also motivating them to do more.

What is the two-minute rule, and how does it affect the speaker's productivity?

The two-minute rule is the practice of immediately completing tasks that take less than two minutes, such as cleaning dishes or responding to messages. This habit helps build discipline, reduces procrastination, and prevents tasks from piling up, resulting in a cleaner environment and a clearer mind.

How do the speaker’s dogs contribute to their work-life balance?

The speaker's dogs play a crucial role in forcing them to maintain a work-life balance by requiring daily outdoor activities like playing fetch or going for walks. This routine provides a necessary break from work and reinforces the importance of balancing work with leisure and time in nature.

What is the habit of asking 'How is this the best thing that ever happened to me?' intended to accomplish?

This habit encourages the speaker to reframe negative situations by finding a silver lining or positive aspect. It trains the brain to look for opportunities and growth, promoting resilience and fostering a mindset of positivity and adaptability in challenging times.

How does the speaker's practice of integrity through serving others affect their happiness?

By giving guests the better plate or making selfless choices, the speaker cultivates integrity and service to others. This aligns with the belief that small acts of kindness and doing the right thing, even in minor situations, enhance self-respect and contribute to greater happiness in life.

Why does the speaker encourage others to develop habits that might seem unusual or 'dark horse'?

The speaker shares these unconventional habits to highlight that personal growth and happiness often come from unexpected sources. These habits challenge the norms and can lead to profound changes in life, offering alternatives to traditional or mainstream approaches to self-improvement.