How you do anything is how you do everything.
– T. Harv Eker
After hearing the quote above, I started paying attention to how I did things.
Did I do them too fast? Did I lose focus? Did I hesitate? Did I have a good attitude? Did I give 100%? I realized that the quote really is true for me. How I did one thing was how I did everything.
That’s what this list is about. Figuring out how you do things and how you can do them better.
Here’s a list of 19 ways to be a better person and become the best version of yourself.
1. Define your vision and set goals – yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily
Having a vision for your life, on which you can set goals, is so important to being happy. You’ll know your “why” and you’ll intentionally move in the direction you want your life to move toward. Having goals that are in line with your vision will help you achieve what you want in life, whether it’s for your family, career, or anything in between.
Check out Grow You, which is my coaching program where I have coached thousands of women on things such a mindset, money, relationships, and intentional living.
This is how I personally started what I did when I quit my job as a lawyer to become a financial planner and blogger-now online business entrepreneur and life coach. Now, I make money doing what I love. I never would’ve imagined it was possible to make money online – it’s truly been a blessing!
2. Commit to lifelong learning
When you learn, you grow. And like Tony Robbins said, “if you’re not growing you’re dying.” Intentional living means continuing to learn and grow.
Be the type of person who wants to always learn. Personal growth will improve your entire life and how you view the world.
Here’s a list of all the podcasts and books I recommend.
3. Read daily
One of the easiest ways to learn is to read.
By reading every day, you’ll absorb new information and grow yourself mentally and improve your mental health.
Here are a few book lists to get you started: 1) money books, 2) personal development books, and 3) blogging books.
Additional Resources:
- 4 Tools That Make Me A Better Mom (free course)
- Podcast Directory (free download)
4. Regularly feel uncomfortable because you’re outside your comfort zone
If you want to grow, you have to get out of your comfort zone, this is a huge part of life. What you’re comfortable with is what you already know. If you want to know more and grow more as a person, you have to learn new things, which means getting out of your comfort zone. If you practice getting out of your comfort zone, over time, you’ll get used to the discomfort and view it as a sign that you’re growing (And who doesn’t want that?).
This is where you have to get control of your mindset. Start listening to the Mom On Purpose With Natalie Bacon Podcast to get started shifting your mindset.
5. Keep your commitments
If there is one thing you can do for yourself it is to have integrity. That means, keep your word to other people and to yourself.
If you say you’re going to do something, you better do it. No matter what. And if something better comes up, too bad. You made a commitment and you better keep it. If you practice this, you’ll be in such a small group of people that others will trust you and want to do business with you. And now that you know this, watch other people and how often they don’t keep their word. You’ll notice it more and it’s shocking.
One way to help you keep your commitments to yourself and others is to follow a daily routine and don’t break it. Whether it is a morning, evening, or workday routine, schedule your day, and follow it.
6. Organize your life
If you organize your life, you’ll have a clear mind, and you’ll know exactly where you stand in all areas of your life. By organizing your space, you’ll feel better and be more productive.
Join the Mom On Purpose Membership to get a step-by-step process for how to declutter and organize your life. Learn more here: Mom On Purpose Membership.
7. Sleep, eat healthy, and exercise
Sleep restores us and gives us energy to do things with a clear mind and at 100%. Exercise is a stress reliever, it helps you control your weight, increases your energy, and combats disease (heart disease, for example). And by eating healthy, you’ll also control your weight and feel better overall. (Note: I just summed up healthy living in three sentences. There are no shortcuts; just do it.)
8. Believe in something and commit to practicing that belief
Think about what you believe in.
Whether it’s God, a higher power, or nothing. Be intentional about it and practice that belief. You’ll feel good about being committed to whatever it is you believe, which will make you feel stronger (and strength attracts money).
9. Relax
Take time to relax or meditate alone. You’ll clear your mind, relieve stress, and gain internal peace. This means doing nothing and it also means reflecting on your past choices and thinking about them deeply.
10. Have a lot of fun
For achievement-oriented mama, having fun isn’t a top priority. But taking time to have fun is important to your overall wellbeing. You’ll feel better, be more balanced, and produce better work. Don’t forget to have fun!
11. Surround yourself with awesome people
If you want to be more successful, surround yourself with successful people. Hang around someone you consider a role model and have an open mind to what they have to offer. If you want to be a better Christian, surround yourself with other practicing Christians. The bottom line is that peer pressure is a true phenomenon – we’re heavily influenced by the people with whom we spend the most time.
Endless doors will open for you by being a good listener and taking in as much from others as you can. Being a good listener can change your life.
12. Say “sorry” when you’re wrong
Learning how to apologize (i.e. repair) when you make a mistake or get it all wrong is one of the most important skills to have as a mom. It will help increase connection in your relationships and make you the mama you want to be.
Learn how to repair here inside my eBook: Become The Mom You WANT To Be
13. Say “no” without feeling guilty
If you’re a people-pleaser, this is a tough one. But practice will make it easier. Learning to say no without feeling guilty will ensure you keep your priorities in order (and not someone else’s). It will also help with the “keeping up with the Joneses” mentality.
14. Give people the benefit of the doubt
You attract what you are. If you’re positive, happy, successful, and honest, that’s who you’ll attract. Next time someone does something that seems disappointing or frustrating, give them the benefit of the doubt that there was a positive intention behind the act. In doing so, you’ll attract other people who think this way, you won’t fall into a victim mentality, and you won’t waste your finite energy on negative things you cannot control. It’s a win all around.
Related: Overcome Negative Thoughts As A Mom (podcast)
15. Volunteer or donate your time or money
If you’re a giver, people will give to you. By giving your time or your money, others will give you their time and money. Not to mention you’ll feel good doing it.
16. Express gratitude
By expressing gratitude, you are focusing on the present moment and appreciating life. Keep a gratitude journal. You can learn all about journaling inside my Journaling Course as well as inside the Mom On Purpose Membership.
17. Know yourself
Take inventory of yourself. Think about how you think.
Gandhi said:
“Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny.”
So, be careful what you think because it will become your reality. If you think you’re unhappy and unsuccessful, then that’s what you are. And vice versa.
18. Stand In Your Truth
Standing in your truth means that you don’t have earmuffs on; you’re not ignoring what’s happening in your life. You take responsibility for your life and you act accordingly. Being honest with yourself about everything will keep you grounded and ensure you make good decisions. For example, you may want to go on vacation and think you “deserve” it, but this is just you feeling entitled. Or, you might think about going into debt because you are planning your “dream” wedding. But the reality is: if you can’t afford it, then just don’t do it.
19. Do everything in moderation, including moderation
Balance is a way to well-roundedness, and extreme anything leads to extreme everything. So, do what you can and don’t sweat the small stuff!
A Final Note
Growth doesn’t stop when you settle down and have kids. It’s just getting started. As a mom, you’ll be presented with so many opportunities for growth (as I’m sure you’ve already seen). These tools can help you be more intentional with how you grow so you create more of the life you genuinely want.
You can do this work, mama. Become who you WANT to be!