Thinking Out Loud

So originally this post was going to be titled “4 Habits You Need to Break Before You Turn 30” and then I stopped and realized…CRAP. I AM 30 now. Which made me really think about this list of my own habits.

Some of these I still do and some not nearly as much as I used to. Reflecting after my 30th birthday, I came up with a list of things that probably aren’t doing me (or any of us) any favors. So, for those of us that have passed that tempestuous 30 threshold, try and break these habits (if you have them) before your next birthday. It certainly won’t happen overnight and is definitely a learning process. You’ll see why.

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  Flaking out on plans with friends (a lot). We’ve all been there. You made lunch, brunch or dinner plans with a friend but you find yourself too exhausted so you cancel at the last minute. Then I took a step back and remembered that each time I felt exhausted and wanted to cancel or my friend simply wouldn’t let me cancel (which has happened) I felt 10X better after keeping the plans. Laughter and being around positive people will no doubt lift your spirits and give you that extra boots of energy, as opposed to sitting on the couch watching Netflix.

  
  


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  Not asking for a raise. I know this is a SUPER scary and uncomfortable thing for most of us to even think about. But recent studies show that 60 percent of people surveyed didn’t ask for a raise (that they truly felt they had earned and deserved) simply because they were afraid to ask. It’s important to prove our worth and therefore be compensated for it.

  
  


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  Forgetting to call older relatives. Pick up the phone every so often and call your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles etc. Stop making excuses (ahem-Keryn) and pick up the phone, ask how they’re doing and tell them what’s new in your life. Almost guaranteed you’ll make their day PLUS you’ll feel better. It should always be about other people.

  
  


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  Accepting “no” as the end all be all. I have come to LOVE this one. I used to just take “no” as the final answer, nothing more I can do or say. Boy was I wrong. Inevitably there are always going to be things you cannot change (I assume that everyone will use their common sense on this one) which is an important lesson to learn anyways. If someone tells you “no” at work or in a relationship, try asking again but this time with a solid argument behind your question. Even try rewording the question or find a different solution that would be amenable to both parties involved. I learned this lesson HARD in grad school. If I was told “no, you can’t do that” I just said, well, wait…why not? What if we try it this way? Most of the time, there was a positive response and a more creative avenue was taken.All in all, we all have our little habits that in the light of day may not seem all that bad. The older I get, I try and reflect on some of my actions and simply ask myself does this benefit anyone including myself? If the answer is no…try and kick it to the curb.