Whether you thrive on organization or live your life in a more casual, go-with-the-flow way, you likely love feeling like you’re on top of things. There’s nothing better than when you’re in a groove and nothing can stop you. Of course, life can be tricky and you’re going to experience low points, from a broken car to a stressful period at work. But you can set yourself up for success if you do these 15 things.
1. Not taking criticism personally.
Chances are you remember getting a poor grade on a college essay you thought you aced or a negative review at your first job. You might have been upset back then, which is completely understandable. But if you can accept criticism and learn from it, you’re going to have a leg up on other people. It’s easy to think your boss is insulting you when they ask you to make improvements. It’s helpful and freeing when you can smile, thank them, and make the necessary changes.
2. Learning how to cook.
While a dinner date is a great way to get to know someone and sometimes you need a night on the couch with take-out pizza, there’s something to be said for cooking some of your own meals. There are so many reasons why getting in the kitchen will change your life in a positive way. You’ll have fun and can take a break from the daily grind (and listen to your favorite band or an intriguing podcast while you do it). You’ll feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. You’ll be able to cook for friends and family and can also meal prep work lunches, which will be a game-changer.
3. Understanding your finances.
Thinking about money can be scary and overwhelming. Whether you overspend when going through a hard time or you feel guilty when you buy something you want but don’t need, you might avoid looking at your bank account. If you can become more financially savvy, whether from reading books or hiring an accountant, you’ll be glad you did. You’ll be ahead of the crowd if you can save money, invest, and plan for retirement.
4. Not being afraid to ask for a raise at work.
Whether you request a meeting with your manager or bring up a salary bump during your annual review, requesting a raise is definitely a risk that you should be willing to take. Sure, it’s nerve-wracking and you might be told no, but you’ll be on your boss’s radar. It’s possible that the next time the company wants to give out promotions and salary increases, you’ll be top of mind. At the very least, you’ll feel good knowing you can ask for what you want.
5. Knowing how to change a tire.
It might not seem like changing a tire is a life skill that you need. Then your car breaks down on that weekend road trip you have been looking forward to for months… and you wish that someone had shown you how. Even if you don’t use this knowledge all the time, it’ll likely come up at least every once in a while. You’ll be able to avoid what could be a stressful situation and get back home or to your destination much faster.
6. Writing down reminders to schedule dentist and doctor’s appointments.
No one likes calling the doctor to set up an annual physical. Unfortunately, you might blink and realize that you missed your appointment this year… and realize you can’t remember the last time you went to the dentist. If you can write down reminders in your iPhone Notes app or paper agenda, you’ll thank yourself later. It’s a great feeling when you can keep track of these necessary appointments.
7. Paying off student loans or any debt you have.
It might take a few years after you throw your cap in the air, but you’ll breathe a huge sigh of relief when you can pay off your loans. It might not always be possible to live debt-free and, sometimes, life circumstances make this impossible. But if you can, you’ll feel less stress and anxiety.
8. Only commit to social plans that make you happy.
It’s hard to turn down party invitations or to say no when a childhood friend asks if you want to grab dinner while they’re in town. But if you always say yes to social plans even when you know you won’t enjoy yourself, you’re just going to dread it. Realizing that you can decide what you want to do with your free time is an amazing accomplishment.
9. Setting a goal and meeting it.
Do you want to run a 5k even though you’ve never loved cardio? What about going on a solo trip or learning to knit? If you can set a goal and reach it, you’ll feel really good about yourself. You’ll also realize you can accomplish more than you might have thought. This will empower you to keep setting goals and following your dreams.
10. Making peace with a toxic family member.
Have you always had a hard time talking to your aunt because she judges your career choice? Have you and your younger sister never gotten along? If you have a relative who makes you more miserable than happy, it’s a big deal when you can accept that the relationship will never be the way you want it to be. It’s definitely sad to think like this, but it’ll save you a lot of pain in the future.
11. Taking care of your health as much as possible
Of course, there are things you can’t control, from an autoimmune disease to circumstances that make it hard to work out regularly. Maybe you know that eating a certain way helps with symptoms, or that you feel better when you walk to the office each day. There might be some small steps you can take to ensure you’re as healthy as possible.
12. Putting away three to six months of living expenses.
While no one wants to think about losing their job or needing to move home to help with a relative in poor health, there are many reasons why it’s helpful to have a specific savings account. Hopefully, you never need to use this money. But if you do, you can rest assured knowing you’ll be taken care of no matter what life throws your way. Although it might not be possible to save enough money to live on for half a year, putting away a little bit from each paycheck will go a long way.
13. Figuring out time management.
Everyone’s going to be late sometimes. However, showing up when you say you’ll meet your friend for coffee will go a long way toward showing that you take people’s time seriously. Your manager, colleagues, family, and friends will appreciate that you show them this respect. You’ll also have a big advantage if you can organize your work days and time off so you can finish what you need to without stressing out.
14. Staying in regular touch with friends.
From your closest classmate from second grade to the yoga acquaintance you befriended just this year, it can be hard to find time to chat with friends. You swear you’ll text and ask how they’re doing and then another week goes by and you realize you forgot. If you can get into the habit of asking a friend who’s going through a rough time how they’re doing or remembering someone’s birthday, you’ll be seen as a loyal person who everyone wants in their life.
15. Mastering daily wellness and organizational habits.
Laundry, cleaning the kitchen, vacuuming, grocery shopping, taking a few moments to relax and breathe…it can feel like a full-time job to look after yourself and your home. But if you can get into a good rhythm with cleaning and stress relief, you’ll feel more in control of your life.
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