One Life Hack That Completely Changed My Life
When I tell you this hack, you’re going to be like, “This is so easy!” But trust me, it’s harder than it looks. Let me explain why it works, how I found out about it, how to make it stick, and how to use it to get everything you want out of life.
The life hack is… Write Everything Down.
But wait—this isn’t just about writing down your goals and thinking they’ll magically happen because you put them on paper. This is a bit more involved.
Step 1: Write Down Your Goals
Yes, you’re going to write down your goals. Don’t go crazy—choose 2 to 5 goals (even 1 is fine, but no more than 5). If you’re unsure what goals to set, you can choose from these categories:
- Career Goals: Do you want a specific career, or are you aiming to be an entrepreneur? If so, in what field?
- Financial Goals: Do you want to pay off debt, save money, buy a home, or achieve other financial milestones?
- Personal Development Goals: Want to read more, stop gossiping, or hit the gym regularly?
- Spiritual Goals: Meditate daily, pray, read the Bible, or attend church regularly.
- Relationship Goals: Improve communication, set boundaries, or move away from toxic relationships.
Step 2: Make Your Goals Visible
Once you've set your goals, write them down on paper, print them in bright colors, and stick them on your wall—yes, right where you can see them every day. Take down that Taylor Swift poster and replace it with something that will push you toward your goals!
Step 3: Daily To-Do Lists
This is where things get more involved. Get a pocket-sized notebook. (I’ll try to remember to put a link to the one I use in the description below). In this notebook, write down your daily to-do list.
On days when you’re unsure what to do, refer back to your goals. Make sure your tasks reflect the life you want. If they don’t help you achieve your goals, they don’t belong on the list!
Why This Works
Writing your list every day helps you stay focused. You won’t go through life just reacting to things—you’ll have a clear plan that aligns with your goals. It’s like being on a plane: if it veers just 5 degrees off course, you’ll end up far from your destination. Your daily list keeps you on track.
How I Discovered This
I learned about this hack from my little sister. She told me about a girl she worked with who had her entire day planned out in a little book. If her manager asked her to stay late, she’d check her book before answering. She even scheduled her gym time down to the minute.
This girl wasn’t just living life—she was intentionally programming her life. That’s when it hit me: we all operate on a program. The difference is, most of us aren’t choosing the program we follow.
Step 4: Make It Stick
I tried to implement this in my life, but I kept falling off. However, I realized something important: if you miss one day, that’s fine. But don’t let it happen two days in a row. One day is a mistake; two days is the start of a new habit—the habit of not doing.
Find a way to disrupt your current habits. For me, I put a sticky note on my ceiling that says, “Check your to-do list.” Every time I wake up, that’s the first thing I see, which helps me break my old routine.
Step 5: Limit Phone Distractions
Another tip: avoid using your phone until midday. Too often, I pick up my phone intending to send a quick text, and suddenly I’m on Instagram for an hour. Keep your phone in “Work Mode” to avoid distractions.
Step 6: Accountability
Send your to-do list to a friend, and have them do the same. Check in with each other to make sure you’re staying on track. This kind of accountability can help you stay focused and motivated.
Once you start applying this life hack, you’ll find yourself achieving goals faster and more efficiently than ever before.