GarthBox

Keystone habits are habits that lead to the development of multiple other good habits, often unknowingly so.

They create a domino effect in your life that produces positive outcomes exponentially.

There are many more than six, but here are the six I would recommend implementing today.

Gratitude – Write three things down that you’re thankful for. (I use Evernote)

Meditate – Invest at least 10 minutes to meditation. (I use Headspace)

Exercise – Spend at minimum 20 minutes performing some fitness activity. (I use P90X3)

Freewrite – Do not lift the pen up from the page for five minutes straight. (I use whatever journal I have on hand)

Mantra – Create a mantra to say out loud each morning. It can be three words or 300. (I use the one below the photo credit)

Outreach – Connect with at least three people via social or email. (I use LinkedIn and go down my connections list)

Do these six activities as often as you can and I guarantee you will see all other areas of your life begin to improve from productivity to relationships to financial status to happiness.

 

Stay Positive & Habit On

Photo credit

I am healthy, strong, and in control of my body and willpower. In all I do I am positive and hardworking. In all that I create I ask what is in it for them? I put myself in their position. I am a giver, I am generous. I care about others.

I keep an open mind and observe all the wonder of the world. I see the little things and their big meanings. I remain curious as I look at things and ask why?

Each day, each task, each conversation, each goal, I will show up, I will be present. I will own the moment. Throughout the day I will do things my own way, but will have studied and learned from the paths others have taken.

Confidence is my key to remarkable work, to creating value for others, to pushing through setbacks. I am resilient. I persevere beyond the line of others. I set an example for those wishing to succeed in life.

I will remain agile and flexible while maintaining my determination to succeed. I will keep my hopes up high and my head down low. I will not take anything personally. Today I will embrace the culture of continuous improvement.

For my future kids. For my current and future friends dancing with their own fears. I will stay positive.

I have always been fascinated with the movie industry. From how so many covers have a template to them, to spotting all the product placements to how we have surpassed more than a million terrible movies having been created.

It’s worth pausing a moment to consider the quality of movies released.

Movies that basically received negative points in Rotten Tomatoes and other movies that weren’t good enough to deserve an ounce of criticism.

Yet, the movie was still made, still hit the theater, still watched by people like us (even if we turned it off after 20 minutes).

Despite the fact there are middlemen, early critics and gatekeepers, terrible films were shown.

It has to make you wonder about how the relationship between people who are supposed to know (know what will be a hit and what won’t) and people who merely show up with the best work they can make at that time. The gatekeepers don’t have as much control as we often tell ourselves they have (or they act like they have).

No doubt the filmmaker learned lessons from their ill-received film, but so to were lessons learned by the audience, by other filmmakers. Even when a movie maker fails, they make a positive impact on the industry.

That’s why it’s not fair to let the thought “this isn’t going to work” stop you from shipping the best version of your work you can make right now. The only time your work is guaranteed not to hit the big screen is when you hesitate and hold back.

If you keep pushing it forward, no intermediary, critic or gatekeeper can stop you.

Proof is at the movie theater.

 

Stay Positive & Keep Pushing, Keep Shipping

Photo credit

We need you to come up with more ideas, share more stories and find new ways to connect with the target audience.

More importantly, we need you to not fall into a paralysis or feel defeated when an idea doesn’t stick, a story doesn’t resonate and you break a connection instead of make one.

 

Stay Positive & Always Forward Movement

Photo credit

It’s a great dream and a great moment to work toward to – that minute when you’ll feel like you’re on top of the mountain.

The reality is that you won’t feel that way. Not entirely.

Ask anyone who has been in business for 2 or 20 years. The moment when they thought they were close to “making it” a new opportunity or challenge presented itself.

If you’re considering going in business for the destination; it may be worth giving yourself a reality check.

It’s a journey.

Always will be.

 

Stay Positive & As We Climb, The Mountain Gets Bigger (And Better)

Photo credit

A number of years back I had someone tell me not to stand above or look down upon others unless I was reaching a hand out to help them up to my level.

That has always stuck with me and led me down the path to discovering two types of people in the workplace and the world.

There are those who push you and expect everything from you. They’re the ones who can seem like hard asses and a bit condescending.

No doubt, we need these people and they’re talented at getting others to be their best versions.

Then there are those who are merely there to help, to lend a hand, to be generous with their time and knowledge and care. They’re the ones who can seem like they are the only ones there who really care that you grow and succeed, and they lead with empathy.

Both types of people can elevate you. It’s worth recognizing which you’re working with, and even more important to recognize which you work best with.

 

Stay Positive & Then Seek More Of Them Out

Photo credit

The map you’re looking for to help you get from A to C?

You draw it.

The newer, better direction to take creative from good to great?

You imagine it.

The way to elevate a relationship?

You trailblaze it.

The culture of your workplace?

You decide it.

It’s in your hands. Always has been.

 

Stay Positive & Go

Photo credit

People are looking to you to rally them, to get’em excited, to get’em pumped for the next task.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve got the lowest job title. Doesn’t matter if you’re just a copywriter. Doesn’t matter if you’re the first or last person in the room, in the high chair or low chair or if you didn’t wear your favorite shirt or forgot your pen.

When we step telling ourselves that it’s someone else’s responsibility, we make the work better.

Even more importantly, we make the work more fun for all those involved.

So play music. Show off your mix matched socks.  Bring trail mix. Hold a goofy ice breaker.

Do whatever it takes to get others excited.

Your people need you to.

 

Stay Positive & Yahoooo!

Photo credit