Hi folks, Shubham here.
I am back with another edition of Life Hacks🛠
Accountability Partner
We all have sporadic urges to get our lives in order.
Maybe you wanna start working out to be fit or give up smoking to get healthier. One begins with a noble intention but eventually, the motivation fades away. Before you know you are back on your former routine.
One of the best ways to stick to a habit is to have an accountability partner.
As the name suggests, inform a friend or family member about your goal. They will help you stick to your commitments a.k.a making you accountable.
Whenever you fail, set a predefined fine or punishment which acts as a reminder not to repeat it again.
Depending on your earnestness you can customize the practice by choosing the number of accountability partners or the fine amount.
A while back, I made an Instagram account for Soul Letter and ended up spending hours on Instagram watching random memes.
Therefore, I made an Instagram Pact to curb my usage. The details are in the below screenshot.
I paid a total fine of ₹200 before abandoning Instagram (posting daily is a tedious task).
In case you are not comfortable sharing your habits with another person, you might also use an app.
Sandwich Reading
Till now my reading process constituted reading one book at a time. I didn’t start a new one until the current book finished.
I have read several books within days, and I feel I failed to absorb the core essence of a few of them. Yup, I picked up surface-level insights yet there’s a lot more to latch on to.
A few pages of these books leave you with several profound lessons which need time to sink in. I read them quickly and was smothered with thoughts I could hardly comprehend.
End result, on paper I have read a good number of books but missed some important learnings.
To correct the flaw, I am switching to Sandwich Reading. It means reading different books at a time.
I came across the term while reading an article from Shreya Badonia.
Reading multiple books at a time will allow one to spend more time with a book which should ideally help to grasp the deeper perceptions.
Another benefit of this trick is its versatility. One can simultaneously read fiction, self-help, autobiography, or any other genre as per your liking.
If you had an off day reading a fantasy might feel comforting instead of some productivity book.
Even if you don’t read, you can apply this hack to other activities you enjoy.
Suppose if you love binge-watching, you can mix your watch-list with thrillers, documentaries, action, or fantasy.
Or if you love to exercise, you could diversify your routine by incorporating strength training, yoga, cycling, badminton, etc.
Use Your Non-Dominant Hand for Mundane Tasks
I carry out most tasks right-handed, therefore my left hand is the non-dominant hand.
According to science using your non-dominant hand for mundane tasks like brushing teeth or combing hair will strengthen neural connections in your brain, and even grow new ones.
For the past year or so I have been using my left hand to brush my teeth. Initially, it was tricky however with time I got hang of it.
Funny enough the practice has subconsciously transcended into other portions of my life.
For example, at times I use my left hand to take food servings or open doors.
Nope my Spidey-Sense hasn’t kicked in(yet) but my reflexes and coordination have definitely enhanced.
I often suggest people to use their weaker hand to scroll their smartphones. At least reap some benefits while erasing those fingerprints.
Hope you enjoyed this edition.
Signing off for today :) Until next time, Houdoe! 🙋♂️
Please add me as your accountability partner too 😁