20 Small Insignificant Things that could change your life in the next 365 days

“Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together." - Vincent Van Gogh

A huge chunk of our life goes into hoping for, dreaming about, or hustling for the achievement of herculean milestones that would lead to fame, fortune, and applause. A few examples would be closing a mega deal, getting selected for an executive position, winning a race, getting an award, clearing a globally certified examination, lifestyle upgrade, and the list goes on.

These are commendable achievements and rarely accomplished overnight or through flukes. Each takes time, patience, and consistent practice of many small atomic habits to make these outcomes possible.

That shouldn't come as a surprise, as one eventually learns these lessons through the trials and tribunals one has to endure to succeed in one's chosen endeavor. The surprising element is that many of these small habits are insignificant in appearance, making them come across as too trivial or childish to even pay attention to or learn about.

This attitude makes people unconscious of their own inability to execute these on a daily basis. This ignorance may look harmless at the outset, but negative compounding will eventually extract a cost from anyone who ignores these tiny habits that have a huge bearing on one’s state of mind, personal energy, and effective communication.

If you are keen to get the most out of your chosen endeavors, build enduring relationships, and live an exciting life, then the habits mentioned below will need your conscious attention on a daily basis before they become a natural part of who you are.

Once that happens, there is no stopping you from reaching the goals and milestones that you so cherish !!

Personal

• Doing something hard every day, e.g., taking a cold water bath, working out, or fasting. These build your mental strength to face adversities when they arise, and they certainly will. 
• Praying daily. It gives you strength in knowing that there is a superpower who has your back (see pic below).
• Going through a list of your cherished or aspirational set of values. It keeps you on the path of virtues and principles in a world where most are looking for shortcuts. If practiced daily, this will give you a remarkable edge over most. Every leader does it, and so can we, in our own little way.
• Reminding yourself of your short-term goals and long-term dreams. It gives you wings and keeps you motivated while you're getting things done.
• Journal your last 24 hours, mentioning things you did, stuff you learned, and people you met—because you will forget all of it as you age and your mental faculties dwindle. This journal could allow you to relive these moments and cherish your life instead of getting bogged down with uncertainties and fears, which will always be around you like your shadow.  
• Be mindful of the food you eat because you become what you eat. Your peers and friends could do what they please, but you ingest foods that keep you healthier and stronger for longer. Cheat meals are okay once in a while. I even had one yesterday, and I enjoyed it a lot. But it’s not becoming a habit ever.
• Sleeping well so you have a rested mind that allows you to make important daily choices and make them well. Almost all success will depend on this ability alone. Choosing to read this piece is a choice for you, and writing this piece was a choice for me. Hence, I guard my sleep like a treasurer guarding his war chest. It’s me against Netflix, and I have been winning this battle every day for years ;)  
• End your day with gratitude for all the lovely things, beautiful people, and energizing events you were blessed with. You survived today; it is good enough a reason to look back and feel grateful. This practice is an antidote to all toxicity that comes from envy and FOMO.

Interpersonal

• Say thank you with eye contact, a smile, and a firm handshake (if possible) instead of blandly expressing it without any emotions behind it. People are smart enough to know when you mean it and when you are just going through the motions.
• Tipping 10-20% every time, even 100% sometimes, if the cost of the service is minuscule. The joy it brings is immeasurable, and this simple act spreads happiness everywhere you go. And it will come back multifold, too. It’s the law of reciprocity, and it always works 🧿 
• Encouraging or appreciating people’s work makes others trust themselves and go beyond their circumstances to make things happen. This is how humanity progresses, one belief at a time. To achieve this, you must stop rushing solely towards your goals and be cognizant of the number of people it takes to keep your life in order. 
• Listen twice as much as you talk. If you are patient enough, you’ll discover a lot more nuances and emotions behind a person’s words, and these emotions create a passage for building strong bonds that will last a long time. It’s the company of good friends that makes life exciting and the presence of genuine relationships that add a long runway to your professional pursuits.  
• Expressing to your loved ones that you care doesn’t take much. I love you. I miss you. I care for you. These should be used liberally, especially when our society has become too obsessed with external validation, leading to anxiety and loneliness. If not with words, let your actions/gestures reflect this affection towards people you care for.  
• Call a spade a spade instead of pleasing people and greasing palms. The latter will win you some brownie points in the beginning, but you will eventually be discovered and shot down because nobody wants a spineless person by their side. Have principles and live by those principles instead of compromising for short-term gains. People-pleasing is purely an outcome of focusing on short-term gains. 
• Communicating effectively and clearly leaves no room for confusion or assumptions . This makes others’ lives easier and makes you respected in a community that is always looking for people with good communication skills. It’s one of the most important skills that should be consciously worked upon.
• Getting back when you said you would, doing what you said you would, communicating if you won't be able to, rescheduling the task, and keeping all parties involved. This makes you reliable, and it is a powerful reputation upon which to build. It could also make you a magnet for important and critical things to land on your desk time and again.
• Respond only after understanding the question clearly. Do not hesitate to ask the question again so that you are clear in your understanding. This shows respect because you choose your words carefully. 
• Choosing to say “no comments” when you know that your answer/perspective isn’t going to make any difference to the audience. It’s even more effective when you know that your views will alienate or strongly hurt others’ sentiments. You don’t need to express your views every time and everywhere. Silence is also communication, just without words.
• Don’t try to change people, as it’s almost impossible beyond a certain age. It would be easier to make the most of people's strengths and limit your intake of their weaknesses. Everyone has a strength, and you can build an ability to find that hidden gem.
• Not expecting anything from anyone makes everything coming your way a bonus. This is a guaranteed way to experience happiness and make the most of your short stay on this rock.🌏