Waking Moments

You might not realise it, but each day, we have 20,000 waking moments – according to one Nobel Prize Laureate who studied human psychology in depth. Others have estimated that men and women speak 5,000 and 10,000 words daily (respectively, but maybe not respectfully!).

The bad news is that 90% of these moments and words are re-lived the following day and the day after that – like the movie Ground Hog Day.

To avoid this trap, make a conscious effort to do something new, think something new by CHANGING something about what, how and who you do it with.

It’s actually not that hard to do.

  • Buy something new to eat.
  • Try a new restaurant.
  • Take a different route home.
  • Stay at a different hotel when traveling on business.
  • Sleep the ‘other way’ around on your bed (I’m serious, switch the sheets and put your head where your feet usually are and I promise you it will FEEL different. (Maybe even smell different!)
  • Pick up a magazine at the news agent you would never read in a million years – actually read a few pages – maybe even buy it.
  • Walk or cycle to the corner store instead of driving.
  • Don’t put milk in your tea or coffee (or vice versa).

The point is to just interrupt the pattern you’re in and see what happens – you will be FORCED to think and act differently at least in that moment and for several moments later.

I know I sound like a broken record sometimes, but it needs to be said:

“ It’s the little things that make a BIG difference.”

The more you stop trying to change the (your) world in one massive effort, the faster and sooner you’ll realise that the 1 Percent Improvement Doctrine is the way to go to effect long-lasting change.

The primary reason is  the HABIT you form is 1 Percent shifts which are not alien or foreign (which means your amygdala in your brain won’t see them as a threat) and will become who you are. A constantly evolving being…

If you think a blog post like this is interesting, imagine spending a day with me… At the upcoming Exponential Extravaganza event, I’m going to reveal hundreds of tips and techniques like this… I hope you’ll attend – it’s going to be a lot of fun!

1 Response to “Waking Moments”


  • Totally agree. Consciously trying new, unique and different things is a great way to exercise our mind, strengthen the neural connections and improve our cognitive functions. Research shows that experiencing new stimuli can make you smarter, more creative, more sociable, and more “in touch” with the real world. But, just like physical exercise, it needs to be regular and ongoing. Great post!

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