Like most people, I dreamed of personal growth and success.
You know the drill:
- Confidence
- Productivity
- Resilience
- Balanced life
The ability to live each day with purpose, free from the shackles of procrastination or self-doubt.
I’m Lachlan Brown, founder of Hack Spirit and a self-proclaimed psychology enthusiast.
A few years back, I was stuck in a rut.
Despite my passion for understanding the human mind, I found myself struggling to implement this knowledge into my own life.
My daily routine was a mess: My motivation was low, and my personal growth had plateaued.
I knew there had to be more to life, but I just couldn’t seem to figure out how to achieve it.
Then I stumbled upon psychology-backed micro routines that promised massive personal growth over time.
I was skeptical at first but decided to give it a try.
And guess what? These 7 tiny routines truly turned things around for me.
In this article, I’ll share these small habits that led to significant changes in my life.
If they worked for me, they could work for you too:
1) Morning gratitude practice
It may sound simple, but the first routine that significantly impacted my personal growth was a morning gratitude practice.
As a psychology enthusiast, I knew the benefits of gratitude on paper.
Still, it wasn’t until I started implementing it into my daily routine that I truly experienced its transformative power.
Every morning, before getting out of bed, I began to list three things I was grateful for.
Sometimes they were big things like my health or family, other times they were small like the smell of coffee or a sunny day.
This daily practice shifted my focus from what was wrong in my life to what was right.
It started to rewire my brain to seek out positivity even in difficult situations.
If you’re feeling stuck in your personal growth journey, start with this small routine: every morning when you wake up, list three things you are grateful for.
You’ll be surprised how this tiny act can lead to a big shift in your mindset over time.
2) Daily physical activity
The second tiny routine that had a massive impact on my personal growth was incorporating daily physical activity.
As a psychology enthusiast, I was well aware of the link between physical health and mental well-being, but I struggled to put it into practice.
Exercise always felt like a chore, something I “had to do” but never really wanted to.
I decided to change my approach: Instead of forcing myself into rigorous workout routines, I started with small steps—a brisk walk around the block, a few minutes of stretching in the morning, or even just taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
Slowly but surely, these small acts of physical activity began to add up.
I found myself feeling more energized, focused, and positive.
It was as if a fog had lifted from my mind.
Famous psychologist William James once said, “The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.”
For me, choosing to think of exercise as a part of self-care rather than a chore made all the difference.
3) Mindful eating
The third routine that played a significant role in my personal growth was mindful eating.
I was a fast eater, often multitasking while having my meals.
I’d be catching up on emails or scrolling through social media, barely noticing what I was putting into my body.
Then I learned about mindful eating—the practice of paying full attention to the experience of eating and drinking, both inside and outside the body.
It’s about noticing the colors, smells, flavors, and textures of your food; chewing slowly; getting rid of distractions; and learning to cope with guilt and anxiety about food.
I decided to give it a try and started with just one meal a day, usually breakfast.
No distractions—just me and my food.
The difference was astonishing: I started to enjoy my meals more, I felt fuller sooner, and I noticed a significant drop in my tendency to snack between meals.
Incorporating mindful eating into my life not only improved my relationship with food but also positively impacted my overall mental health.
4) Journaling
The fourth routine that significantly contributed to my personal growth was journaling.
I had never been one to keep a diary, but I’d read about the potential benefits of journaling for mental health.
So, I decided to give it a try.
Every night before bed, I started writing down my thoughts, feelings, and experiences from the day.
Some nights it was just a few lines, other nights it turned into pages of self-reflection.
I found that journaling helped me process my thoughts and emotions more effectively.
It became a therapeutic outlet for stress and a tool for self-discovery—and it’s not just my personal experience.
Regular journaling strengthens immune cells, called T-lymphocytes, and can even decrease symptoms of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.
Writing about stressful events helps you come to terms with them, thus reducing the impact of these stressors on your physical health.
It doesn’t have to be long or detailed—just an honest reflection of your day.
5) Setting daily intentions
The fifth routine that brought about significant personal growth in my life was setting daily intentions.
Every morning, after my gratitude practice but before diving into the day’s tasks, I’d take a moment to set an intention for the day.
It could be anything—to stay focused at work, to be kind to myself, or even to drink more water.
Setting a daily intention helped me move through my day with purpose and clarity.
It was a gentle reminder of what I wanted to focus on, and it made me more mindful of my actions throughout the day.
This simple routine helped me become more intentional with my time and energy.
It acted as a compass, guiding me toward my goals and values instead of getting lost in the busyness of everyday life.
6) Practicing mindfulness
The sixth routine that had a profound impact on my personal growth was practicing mindfulness.
My days used to be filled with constant distractions.
I found it difficult to stay present in the moment, my mind always jumping to the past or the future.
That’s when I decided to incorporate mindfulness into my daily routine.
I’d take a few minutes each day to simply sit in silence, focusing on my breath and the sensations in my body.
Mindfulness helped me slow down and truly experience the present moment.
It brought a sense of calm and clarity that I had rarely felt before.
As psychologist and mindfulness expert Jon Kabat-Zinn said, “Mindfulness means being awake. It means knowing what you are doing.”
7) Embracing discomfort
We often go to great lengths to avoid discomfort.
Whether it’s physical discomfort, emotional pain, or even just the awkwardness of trying something new, it’s human nature to seek comfort and safety.
However, I found that the more I tried to avoid discomfort, the more it held me back from personal growth.
So, I decided to change my approach.
Instead of avoiding uncomfortable situations, I started seeking them out.
I pushed myself to step outside my comfort zone, whether it was taking on a challenging project at work, having a difficult conversation, or trying a new workout.
Embracing discomfort didn’t mean that things were always easy or enjoyable.
But it did mean that I was growing and, over time, I found that the things that used to scare me weren’t so scary anymore.
As they say, “The magic happens outside your comfort zone.”
Conclusion
Embracing these seven tiny routines has led to massive personal growth in my life.
They might be small, but their impact is significant.
Remember, the key to personal growth isn’t in making huge, sweeping changes overnight.
It’s in the small, consistent steps we take every day towards becoming the best version of ourselves.
Don’t get overwhelmed by trying to incorporate all of these routines at once.
Pick one that resonates with you and start there.
Give it time and be patient with yourself.
Personal growth is a journey, not a destination.
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