Maximise what you already do before you add more

Around my birthday, I often think about my goals and who I am and how to be my best self. However, I’ve also recently been overwhelmed and realised that I’m stressed out. So the last thing I want to do is begin adding things into my life that I need to do or be or have to make my life better.

Instead, I think it’s about understanding what you already have or do and maximising it for a revamp of your life rather than an overhaul or complete change or adding lots to your plate. If you feel like you’re in the same position, here are some ideas from what I’m choosing to maximise.

Workouts and physical health

I already workout a little bit. I already know what things I like to do, it’s just about doing them. So the way I’m maximising my workouts is to get a schedule together.

Mondays I do yoga because it’s more gentle and I know I’m tired on Mondays. The weekends are for longer and more intense forms of exercise, because I have more time, so this would be going for a run. After work on a Fridays, I might try going to the gym as we finish half an hour early and my gym is close by my work. While I’m already out, and I have the extra time, I might as well go! This is simpler than going home and then trying to go back out or going to the gym during peak times on the weekends which I know would spike my discomfort.

I am already using the Nike Training app so I have a plethora of workouts to choose from. Plus, they have training programmes I can do to take the decision-making out of it as they set workouts for you to do each week. Simple, easy, suitable for my lifestyle and goals!

Writing habit

Again, I know how I write. I’m not actively writing a story at the moment because of university but I will be done at the end of May. This means the time I would usually spend on university work, will be time to write and work on stories. Simple.

However, that doesn’t mean I just wait until I’m done. Or put a lot of pressure on June as being when I start getting to work. Instead, I can work on a story in my free time and at lunch times at work. When we’re watching tv, I can take notes. In fact, we could watch tv less! I have a new rule I’m going to try, no longer than 2 hours of tv in a row (two episodes of a show or a film). That way, my husband and I can maximise our time in general and hold each other accountable for achieving our dreams.

Financial goals

Finances can be a headache. We all want more money but getting it isn’t always simple. Instead, it’s about maximising the money we already have. Sometimes we think we can’t afford things, but we can. It’s hidden in the poor budgets we have.

Our subscriptions to many viewing services that we hardly or never use: Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Disney Plus and NowTVBuying too many snacks or takeaways that isn’t healthy for us anyway and sucks away at our moneyToo much alcoholBuying clothes when you don’t need themGym memberships that you don’t useNot planning your meals so you just buy random things when at the shops Not shopping around for better deals or discounts Buying things for trends rather than out of season clothes, for example

Something I’m trying to do is get physical savings going so I can’t tap into it like I can with ease online. This means getting a travel savings pot for our bedroom so I can put cash into it. I might take out £10 in cash a week and put some in. I might also get a strict rule of if I buy clothes or takeaways, I must also put £10 in the pot. This is a deterrent away from reckless spending, but if I do spend, at least some is going to our savings and bigger financial goals, too. I am also looking into a travel rewards card to help us travel more often. We’ll see. These are just some of my ideas to maximise the money I already have so I can better use it in our goals.

Clothing

Lastly, I want to improve my wardrobe but buying lots of new clothes just isn’t practical or sensible. Instead, I’ve decluttered the clothes I no longer want. With what’s left, I’m going through and finding items I don’t wear often enough or items I usually wouldn’t wear together. Hey presto, new outfits! Swap clothes with family members if they have something you might want. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. And if I do buy clothes, I want to try secondhand items. Better on the planet and the budget!

Changing your life needn’t mean adding things or going crazy. It’s often more effective to maximise what you already have, do, or are than try to change it all. Where can you adapt to make things work better for you?

Sincerely,

S. xx