5 Ways to Make 2018 More Productive

What is gone is past and we must not put ourselves in a situation where we stay helpless for days. We always make promises to ourselves of following every new year resolution at every new year's eve. Sadly, we fail each time and this turns our new beginning into a sad one. What can we do to flip this unknown guilt upside down? What can be done about these failures? In this blog, I am going to share with you my 5 secrets of productive lifestyle that made my 2017 better than the previous year. Without further ado, let's begin...

1) Baby Steps

 Let's take an example of your workout resolutions. You promise yourself to go gym regualrly and spend at least 45 mins working out. You decide to do cardiovascular in the beginning followed by weight training and think of ending it with a nice stretching session. You join the gym with so much energy that doesn't last even a week. Where does all the energy disappear? 

Since your ultimate goal is to keep your self active and physically fit, I suggest you to take 'Baby Steps'.  No need to spend 45 mins in gym. No need put your body under so much stress. No need to sweat like a dog and gain nothing. All you need to do is just one pushup regularly. I have named this routine a '10 second rule'. Human mind enjoys rewards. We feel happy when we achieve our goals and we wish to achieve more of them in coming future. Our energy always remain on level 1 when we keep winning but once we lose, we lose the energy. It's better to give yourself small tasks that are easy to get done with and consume no time at all. A 10 second workout on regular basis and even twice a day will not only keep your body fit but also your mind happy. Try this and you will never miss a day working out.

You can apply the same 10 second rule or the baby step theory to read more books this year. Just stop pushing yourself to make things happen.  

2) Take Every New Opportunity

I remember being offered a job of an assistant director by my senior at my college. He needed someone with sound knowledge of film and television aesthetics and I was an ideal candidate for the job he had for me. I still regret the moment I refused to join him scared of my failing in doing my job properly. Since the director had already done so many successful projects, I was not confident and instead kept doing my deskwork. 

With this failure, I learned the importance of taking every new opportunity. Doing something for the very first time sets the very limited goals for you. You are expected to be a part of learning process and not an actual professional of the field. Let's say you are asked to write an article just because people know you can write better than others but you haven't written anything before. Now refusing will only get you failure while accepting it always gives you something in return; either a reward or knowledge

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3) Learn A New Skill Every Month

How many of you are thinking to take online courses this year? Be it digital marketing or SEO Training, from graphic designing to content writing, everything that can make you some real quick money is being taught on platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, etc. Our world is going through a digital conversion period where home-based employees, freelancers and entrepreneurs are making more money than those who are still stuck at 9-5 dayjobs. By learning new skills that are trending and can give you some real knowledge, you can apply for a job that will be based purely on your skills and not your academic degrees. 

4) Learn to Volunteer

This one completely depends upon your interest. If you are interested in animal care, join some organization that can serve the purpose. If you are interested in teaching the underprivileged, join any NGO and proceed with it. What I did to make my 2017 better was serving nature. It's my routine to take out some time to socialize with three of my friends after dinner every night. We go for a walk in a park nearby our homes. A place that serves as a leisure point for us shouldn't be dirty and this is what motivated me and my friends to volunteer every weekend in cleaning of the park without disturbing anyone. We brought garbage bags, surgical gloves, face masks and some water to drink with us and started collecting trash. Within a month, the park seemed like a slice of heaven. Look around your community. The society you live in needs you in some way so initiate from there. Provide free tuitions to those who can't afford. Teach someone a new skill without charging him/her a penny. 

5) Learn to Forgive

If there is anyone who did hurt you in 2017, forgive right now. This will not only make you feel better but can reflect your personality positively. You will learn to forgive easily and mark my words, people will keep hurting you. Start forgiving right now. Make a list of those who needs to be forgiven by you and leave them a message. Call them and offer them a meal with you if you think that can bring the difference. Make yourself better and you will see how productive you can be when life asks you to roll over your stomach. 

Do let me know your feedback on this article in the comments section. Share it on social media and help your friends who need this. 

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