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You can’t deny that being disciplined is definitely a huge plus when it comes to getting your life together. Not saying discipline is for everyone—if you got things under control without it, great—but you can’t deny that it does help put some things into perspective and streamline life in ways that are otherwise hella hard.

Well, folks on Reddit have been talking about something that has a lot to do with discipline, and that is habits. In particular, it’s small, minimal-effort habits that go a long way in improving your quality of life and thus make a huge difference in how you approach it.

We’ve scoped out the best, most helpful tips, tricks, hacks, and just habits in general that folks in this thread suggested and created a lovely curated list that you can find, vote and comment on below. And why not share some of your bits of advice for small, yet high-impact habits in the comment section below!

And yes, we are aware that some of these submissions are rather similar, if not identical, yet they provide different takes on the same habits. So, smile and be kind.

More Info: Reddit

#1

30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Drink water instead of pretty much anything else.

Except coffee. I'm not a monster.

agarzola , Alabama Extension Report

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    #2

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Getting into the habit of saying please and thank you. I’ve seen endless horror stories about people in retail getting sh*t on by ungrateful and rude customers, so I made a resolve to try and be as amicable and cooperative whenever I can.

    And it really made a difference. It really helps smooth things along when both people are working together to get things done as efficiently as possible. It’s a great feeling helping make someone’s day easier. Goes to show a little bit of kindness goes a long way.

    SkyGuardianOfTheSky , Orin Zebest Report

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    Lisa Hewes
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This needs to be #1. I've worked retail and food service off-and-on for many years and I got all kinds of people. I will always be grateful to the customers that showed patience and kindness towards me. I do what I can to pay that forward because, unfortunately, these employees are still getting the short end of the stick because certain customers feel its okay to take their negative emotions out on minimum wage workers.

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    #3

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Every time you leave a room take something that doesn't belong there and put it away. As soon as it is a habit you're house will stay tidy.

    Enilorac89 , Advait Supnekar Report

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    Zophra
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't like cleaning up after everyone else in the family, but it doesn't seem to bother them as much as me.

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    #4

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group 1) Trying to see the other person's point of view, or at least not reacting explosively negative to it when you disagree. (This helps immeasurably with in-laws.)

    2) knowing when to keep your mouth shut. It’s not necessary to always express an opinion or make a remark, especially when there's no hope of changing another's viewpoint.

    3) It costs NOTHING to be kind, to affirm other people by recognizing them, to say please & thank you.

    challam , Alan Levine Report

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    Lisa Valen
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes. Yes. and Yes. 4) Choose your battles and, if necessary, concede defeat even if you're right. It's pointless to continue arguing.

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    #5

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Exercise at least 3-5 times a week. You don't need to train like a an Olympic athlete. Going for a walk or jog is good enough. Do pushups and crunches right after you get up. As long as you get your heart rate up.

    Small steps, it'll all add up.

    -notJohnThough- , Christine Cockett Report

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    DennyS (denzoren)
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I really need to keep this consistent. The worst thing that has happened to me was a desk job. You're so burnt at the end of the day and you haven't even been active. It's insane.

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    #6

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group 2 minute rule.

    If you see something that needs doing that will take 2 minutes or less; go ahead and do it. Put away those clothes. Pick up that toy as you walk by. Empty that dish washer when you go to get a drink. Scoop the litterbox when you go to take a p**s.

    Things will stay neater, you'll be more organized, and you'll find you have more time in the long run for stuff you want to do, instead of having to take care of stuff you've been putting off.

    anon , Marco Verch Professional P Report

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    BadCat
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    LOL Once I get going I don't stop. Washing dishes leads to cleaning my whole kitchen.

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    #7

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Stop drinking soda. In the long run soda is bad for you and after a while of not drinking you will realize that it tastes to sweet.

    MoreTubaNeeded , Mike Mozart Report

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    Zophra
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Can I just have one bad thing? Just one? Just let me have my diet coke in peace.

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    #8

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Making a habit of being kind. Positivity that has the possibility of infinite growth.

    HappyChic103 , Ben Grey Report

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    DennyS (denzoren)
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I try to overpower mean people with kindness. If I'm dealing with a tough customer I'll dial up the "thank you" and "I'm glad you brought this to my attention" and "oh no, we must rectify this" and eventually they mellow out. Not a 10-10 strategy but works most of the time.

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    #9

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Replacing items before they run out. E.g.. detergent, toilet paper, shampoo, etc.

    cucucumin , George Redgrave Report

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    BluEyedSeoulite
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My 4yo does this without ever being asked. I was shocked and amazed, thought I had bought magic toilet paper!

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    #11

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Healthy eating. If you make it habitual, you look and feel a million times better than when you eat like c**p. You don't even crave c****y food often.

    HiFiSi , Lisa Zins Report

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    #12

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Meal planning.

    You save so much more money if you pre-plan what you're going to eat for the week than if you wing it.

    anon , Kelly Parker McPherson Report

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    Mer☕️🧭☕️
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I really, really do wish I could do this but the problem is that my "appetite" isn't at all dependable and if I don't "have a taste for" what's already prepared, I won't eat it and so still have to cook something. I annoy my own self.

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    #13

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Brushing your teeth, your smile look good, you save money and your health, benefits quite a lot from a healthy mouth.

    i_miss_s2_EUW , Lisa Zins Report

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    BadCat
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Although some people just end up with problems no matter what they do. Teeth are weird. Some people need to brush more than twice a day but that's also not good.

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    #14

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Take the stairs, if you have a choice.

    thestonez , Rex Roof Report

    #15

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Doing dishes at night so I wake up to a clean sink and clean dishes. I live in a tiny studio and don’t have a dishwasher so this makes a big difference for me.

    penguinPS , Alabama Extension Report

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    Lisa Valen
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I do the dishes all day long. I'd rather wash a few items several times a day, than wash sinks full all at once. And you'll wake up to a neat kitchen with a clean sink and clean dishes.

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    #16

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Somewhere in Europe you pay a 10-cent deposit on all your beer bottles, my small habit of alcoholism gives me a nice return on bottles when I hand them in for recycling.

    Impregneerspuit , Dianne Yee Report

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    Lisa Valen
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hate paying the 10 cent deposit, but don't complain when I'm broke. The bottle/can money comes in handy.

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    #17

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Most things related to hygiene. Brushing teeth, showering daily, washing your clothes regularly. Hygiene is the #1 thing that the opposite sex cares about, and the first thing people notice.

    thinkscotty , Ori Navott Report

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    #18

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Eating a little less. You don’t even have to eat better, just leave 1/4-1/3 of your food on your plate. Get a smaller bowl of ice cream. Eat one less slice of pizza. Don’t eat all the fries. If everything else stays the same you’ll lose weight, and it’s a start towards being healthier.

    HighOnGoofballs , Christian Jensen Report

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    Lisa Valen
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you use smaller plates, your portions will be smaller as well. Even if you "clean" your plate you'll have eaten less. It's ok to leave some food on your plate, regardless.

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    #19

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Flossing. There are a lot of people who don't floss, but it's an important habit to get into. Once you start flossing, you'll feel gross when you don't do it.

    who_got_the_hooch , Electric Teeth Report

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    Piper L
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For decades dentists have recommended flossing as an essential part of oral hygiene. But how useful is it really? An investigation by the Associated Press has revealed there is insufficient proof to back up this claim. The US Department for Health and Human Services and Agriculture admitted in a letter that the benefits of flossing had never been properly researched. A British dentist at the University of Birmingham, Prof Damien Walmsley, also said there is only "weak evidence" to suggest flossing is beneficial.

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    #20

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Sleep well.

    It isn't even the long run, the next morning you'll become 10x better.

    Noorquacker , Roberto Severo Report

    #21

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Wearing daily face cream with sunscreen UV protection.

    GiantSequoiaTree , iwona_kellie Report

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    DennyS (denzoren)
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What do you all do about the eye burning? I sweat a lot and boy does it sting when it gets in my eyes.

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    #22

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Saving money.

    I have lost count of how many people who got themselves into serious debt simply because they spend more than what's necessary.

    anon , OTA Photos Report

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    Lisa Valen
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sometimes they get into serious debt trouble because what's necessary is more than they earn.

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    #23

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Positively impact someone's day. And I think that's a small habit, because you don't have to do anything huge.

    You could go really simple and just give a random, genuine compliment. "I like that jacket."

    You could go slightly more advanced and compliment someone to someone else. "Man, Martha has been killing it lately with her work." There's a chance the compliment gets back to her. But even if not, you're boosting your image to the person you said that to, because of your willingness to compliment others.

    You could do a slightly more advanced move like complimenting someone in the form of requesting their expertise. "Sam, you seem to really understand pivot tables in Excel. If you have time, do you mind showing me how they work?"

    All 3 of those tactics are *slightly* manipulative, because you have to consciously manufacture those moments with regularity, at least at first. But they breed nothing but benefits. The other person feels better. You feel better. And you're easing that gap that separates people, unless one takes the initiative of lessening it.

    anon , Tiago Silveira Report

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    Lisa Valen
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have always done this. Random compliments make people happy. I enjoy the responses more, I think, than they do the compliment. Even if I'm having a REALLY bad day, I will say something positive to someone. "Pretty dress.", or "I appreciate you." It makes the day a little less bad too. :)

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    #24

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Regularly going to the gym and eating well. I wasn't skinny because of metabolism. I was skinny because I wasn't eating and exercising enough. I'm up 20 pounds since this time last year.

    tallandlanky , Tara Angkor Hotel Report

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    Scotira
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    With exercising and eating healthy you "loose" fat cells and gain muscle cells. Those tend to weigh more than fat cells, so you gain weight, but you are slimmer. Sad fact: the fat cells don't just go away, they are only emptied of the stored fat, so when you stop exercising and start up bad eating habits, they fill up again in no time. Voilà: here we have the yo-yo effect.

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    #25

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Mine is less sugar intake. The amount that most people eat is really disruptive to our bodies. Instead of getting that ice cream, get a yogurt or fruit. :)

    anon , Andrei! Report

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    Zophra
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Does anyone else get this insane craving for sugar when you eat it after not having ate it for a while? (Terrible sentence.)

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    #26

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Wake up at the same time. Every. Single. Day. Even on weekends. You stop waking up tired and start waking up naturally before your alarm.

    Yes, I’m well aware this doesn’t work for everyone.

    SammyGeorge , Clint Gardner Report

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    BadCat
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I do this every so often but then insomnia kicks in and destroys my sleep schedule and then I have to spend a weekend trying to correct it.

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    #27

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Budget your money.

    That is the only solid way I know to get "rich" quick.

    willy--wanka , Free photo on UkrMedia Report

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    #28

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group The concept of no zero days. On days when I'm feeling lazy and unproductive, I try to do something even if it's as simple reading or cleaning my room for 5 minutes.

    Virginia_Blaise , Pedro Ribeiro Simões Report

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    BadCat
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Resting is being productive. Once you let go of thinking doing nothing is "lazy and productive" and allowing yourself to have a nap, just sit around and listen to the silence, you'll feel less guilty and destressed.

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    #29

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Making your bed in the morning. It takes 3 minutes, and it makes your room look neat and presentable, as well as giving you the feeling that you accomplished something for the day. It's easy from there to just let that productive feeling snowball into being productive in other areas in your life.

    Wall_clinger , Trysil Report

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    Zophra
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't care. It is a waste of premium morning time and I don't feel any different if it is made. It only gets made if company will be over so we look like we have our act together.

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    #30

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group If something needs to be done, *just do it.* Most people spend more time whining about work, whether household chores or employment related tasks, than if they'd just get in there and do it. Work and productivity is not the earth-shattering concept most people, of all ages, act like it is and no type of honest work is beneath anyone. Bathrooms are dirty at your high school job? Volunteer to do it. Your roommates not cleaning the common areas? Suck it up and do it or it'll just get worse because they won't do it regardless. Short-staffed at your adult job? Stay the extra thirty minutes to cover a task when everyone else acts like its moving mountains to do so.

    After a while, you'll find there's a lot of personal satisfaction that can be found in this productivity for very little lost time in the big picture. Maybe you can only watch one episode on Netflix tonight instead of two for getting something done - so what? No, it's not always going to be fair, just like nothing else in life will be either. But, you can confidently say that you are humble enough and willing enough to take ownership and pride in your piece of the world when virtually no one else does the same. And in the end, it will be noticed by the right people. You will have better friends, better relationships, and better treated as an employee because genuine people in all of these categories know just how rare this trait is in a sea of total mediocrity. And there's no special skills required, just an open attitude you can start today with at any age.

    iambored1234 , WordRidden Report

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    Older
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I strongly disagree with this one. It is not my responsibility to do someone else's job or take care of their messes. I take absolutely no pride in doing menial chores. My house is clean because it has to be in order for me to live in it. I have lots of good habits, but it doesn't mean I like doing any of it. If my friends see my house a bit messy, they feel bad that I had a busy week. They're not suddenly worse friends, and if they did behave that way, we wouldn't be friends because I don't need that kind of toxicity in my life. I am a good employee, but I don't do extra. I don't get paid to do extra. I do what I need to, and I do it well. I am not mediocre. I just don't puff my chest out for doing normal tasks and what is expected of me. That's what it means to be humble. Not whatever this is.

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    #31

    Pay attention to your goddamn money. As a Canadian, Tim Horton's once or twice a day doesn't seem so bad. It's not like Starbucks, where a large coffee can cost you like 8 bucks after tax, an extra large is only 2.20 after tax.

    So I recently was tired of being both overweight and cash poor. Despite being technically at the lowest income bracket, we always had money for food and clothes for our family, but things like $400 for a new bed and mattress for our kid was something to consider and save up for for a few pays. I was sick of it.

    So I logged into my banking app. And I added up all the Tim Horton's transactions from March 23rd all the way back to the beginning of March. Just to see how much of my pay went to them. Now, I'll admit , I had a real problem. My once or twice a day, turns out, was just as often ***four or five times a day.***

    Two f*****g hundred and m***********g eighty-goddamned-seven f****d up dollars later and I was only at March 10th or so. I couldn't go through with it and finish. I was ashamed. And I hadn't even told anyone at that point.

    So I dropped it. Cold turkey. Got caffeine pills to deal with the withdrawals. Since then I have paid all my bills early, including rent, seen my savings account inflate from ~70 to almost $400, bought that bed, and I **still** had three digits before the decimal in chequing when my last two pays rolled around. That never happened before. I would either scrape by with 50ish, or even overdraft. Every. Single. Pay.

    So yeah, go look and add up your worst vice. Imagine having *that* much extra in your pocket every single month. It might just be worth giving it up.

    -

    Sidebar: I have lost ***over f*****g 23 pounds*** since March 9th, mainly because I am not consuming ***~1000 - 1800 calories from coffee alone.*** To be fair, I also stopped hitting all other fast food places and am definitely eating less overall, because part of my issue and breaking point was the weight, not just the money. So that 20lbs of weightloss is not to be expected for everyone unless they are also purposefully trying to lose weight.

    shiningmidnight Report

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    Lisa Valen
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even if your "vice" is one candy bar a day, that could be $50/month you'd save.

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    #32

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Drink water with every food item you eat, even if you're having a small snack.

    Schatzbucks , Los Paseos Report

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    Lisa Valen
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't drink anything when I eat. Once I've finished eating, I'll have my beverage.

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    #33

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Learning everyone's name at work.

    Once they stick, you'll be like glue in the workplace. It's impossible to get rid of the guy everybody loves without destroying the camaraderie.

    laterdude , Loic Le Meur Report

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    Kusotare
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To me, this is just basic respect. Learn the names of people with whom you spend time. I teach in a sports program (youths and adults), and it bothers me that some of the other instructors barely remember each others' names, let alone the names of the students. Learning their names tells other people that you see them as individuals, and not just a body taking up space. Learn their names, and make sure you're pronouncing them correctly. Also, ask if they prefer to be called something else. "Michael" might actually want to be called "Buckethead", his childhood nickname. You never know.

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    #34

    Reading every day, even if it’s just 20 pages.

    YouTubeIsAJoke Report

    #35

    30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group Pick a room in your house (I chose bathroom) and every time you exit that room, do X number (I do 20) of push-ups, sit ups, whatever. I thought it seemed odd when my buddy told me he did this but after a bit you notice some changes.

    strudels , Barney Moss Report

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    Casey Burns
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would most definitely choose the Ballroom, Observatory or Billiards room.

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    #36

    Smiling more often.

    qster123 Report