The Top 100 Good Habits To Improve Your Daily Life

If there’s one thing that I have learned about habits, it’s that bad habits are hard to break and good daily habits are even harder to start!

But living a life full of healthy habits can make a huge difference and significantly improve the quality of your life. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the top 100 good habits to improve your daily life!

But where do you begin? What are good habits, and how do we learn to develop them? Let’s dig into this list of the top 100 good habits to get started!

What are Habits?

Habits are the specific behaviors that we engage in without having to put in much thought or effort. We form habits by repeating these behaviors often enough that they become second nature.

Habits are typically thought of as either bad and unhealthy or good and healthy. A bad habit can be anything from eating junk food when you feel stressed out to living to impress others. Good habits can range from drinking 8 glasses of water per day to setting clear boundaries in your relationships.

The first thing that happens when developing a habit is that there is an external cue of some sort. This triggers an automatic behavior – or a habit. Finally, there is a reward that we receive for engaging in the habit. Our brains remember the reward, which makes it more likely that we will engage in the habit again the next time a similar external cue presents itself.

How Do We Develop Good Habits?

The first thing you need to do in order to start developing good daily habits is take stock of the habits you already have. Being aware of the good and bad habits that have become part of your daily routine will point you in the direction of your areas for growth.

My favorite way to develop a new habit is by using a habit tracker. Our family designs and uses our own habit trackers to help us build and maintain healthy habits to stay accountable to our goals. Check out our collection of printable habit trackers and pick your favorite one!

Habit trackers are so effective in building new habits because they make our progress visible. And checking off your habits each time feels so rewarding, which we know is important when developing new habits!

100 Good Habits To Improve Your Life

In order to make this large list of 100 good habits more accessible, I’ve organized them into a few key areas of life. Whether you are looking to take advantage of the benefits of good habits in your personal life, at work, or in your relationships, there is something here for everyone!

Good Habits for Personal Growth

1. Practice gratitude. Developing a grateful heart is the best thing you can do to kick a lot of negative habits. If you aren’t sure of what to be grateful for, use our list of gratitude ideas or read through our collection of  quotes on gratitude. Learning to regularly express gratitude for the simple things that you have is one of the most powerful positive habits you can develop.
2. Stay focused on gratitude during tough times. It’s easy to express what you are grateful for when things are going right. But when things go wrong, this is when you need gratitude more than ever. Try hunting for something special in your life and use it to pull you out of a deep hole.
3. Write in a journal. Journaling is one of the most popular morning habits to help start your day off right. Using self growth journal prompts can help you align your thoughts and feelings on a daily basis.  Many people also find that journaling in the evening or at the end of the day helps them unpack and process the events of the day in a positive way.
4. Practice mindfulness. Use our collection of mindfulness questions to get in touch with what your mind and body are telling you throughout the day.
5. Set goals for yourself. Even the smallest goal can help give a sense of meaning and purpose to the monotony of the day.
6. Start using positive affirmations. Whether it is using affirmation cards or repeating positive affirmations every morning, these powerful tools will help you start believing anything is possible.
7. Be honest with yourself and others. The best habit to start living a better life is telling the truth to both yourself and those close to you. Aside from having stronger relationships, honesty with yourself is important for building confidence and improving your self-esteem.
8. Express gratitude and appreciation to others. Telling others that we appreciate them on a regular basis not only makes a difference in their day, but it is also good practice for ourselves. The more you express gratitude, the easier you will find it to do!
9. Learn from your mistakes. Mistakes and failure make great teachers. Make a habit of using a growth mindset to learn from your mistakes.
10. Seek out new experiences. It is easy to end up sort of ‘going through the motions’ of your life. If you are feeling stuck in life, take a chance on something new. Stepping outside your comfort zone can breathe new life into a stale routine. 
11. Take calculated risks. Stepping outside your comfort zone doesn’t mean throwing caution to the wind. Think about what you want to do with your life and draw up a concrete plan for how you plan on getting there.
12. Be self-aware. Get in touch with yourself and learn what makes you tick. When you are self-aware, you gain a whole new level of insight into yourself.
13. Practice active self-improvement. Read a book, take in a good podcast, or join our mailing list for weekly motivation and inspiration! 

14. Take responsibility for your actions. Blaming others for our own setbacks is one of the most unhealthy habits you can form. Enjoy the feeling of leaning into your failures and learning from them. This is a natural part of growth!
15. Learn to say “no”. As a recovering people pleaser, I can safely say that learning to say “no” was the most valuable skill I have learned.
16. Be prepared for the unexpected. Life doesn’t warn your when things are going to get crazy. One of the best habits you can start practicing is learning to adapt when things don’t go according to plan.
17. Stay positive. Another very unhealthy habit is complaining about your life. Make positive changes to the way you talk about your day and you will notice a huge impact on your happiness and overall wellbeing.  
18. Believe in yourself. Having confidence in yourself and believing that you can do anything truly is a superpower. When you believe in yourself, anything is possible with hard work and dedication.
19. Practice self-discipline. They say that ‘discipline is the highest form of self-love‘. Practice the habit of setting a goal and sticking to it!
20. Learn to be comfortable with discomfort. Becoming too comfortable is a recipe for a life without growth. Not convinced? Spend some time with our list of comfort zone quotes and learn how important discomfort is in creating your dream life.
21. Foster a growth mindset. Challenges and setbacks stand no chance against a powerful growth mindset. Make a habit of tapping into the power of yet and watch as your mind completely transforms into a growth machine!
22. Practice self-reflection. Whether it is journaling or unpacking the days events with your trusted good friends, self-reflection is a great habit that you should add to your daily to-do list to stay positive and inspired in your personal life. 
23. Be mindful of your language. The words you use have power. Speaking negatively will bring you down, while using positive language will build you up. Choose your words wisely!
24. Be optimistic. Declaring that something won’t work out is a common way to protect yourself from disappointment. Choosing to be optimistic can make it easier to see other opportunities when things don’t go according to plan.
25. Stay true to your values. Don’t let the world force you into compromising what you believe in.
26. Learn to be comfortable with vulnerability. In a world where vulnerability is seen as weakness, how are we supposed to learn to be ourselves? Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly is your go-to read for help developing this powerful habit!
27. Set healthy boundaries. Defining what is and is not acceptable in your relationships is an important part of a healthy relationship. The truth is that boundary setting in relationships can lead to difficult conversations, but the benefits are worth it.
28. Be yourself. After you’ve set boundaries, enjoy making a habit of staying true to who you are without the need to please anyone else!

29. Be flexible and adaptable. Whether it is being prepared for a spontaneous career change, or learning to adapt to changing plans, learning how to adapt to change is an important way to stay relaxed and stress free.
30. Be kind to yourself. This one is personal for me. As a perfectionist, I take everything personally. But, making a habit to let the little things go has really helped me learn to go easy on myself!
31. Develop a sense of humor. Taking things too seriously can make life kind of a drag. Smiling and learning to laugh at the things life throws at you are easy ways to improve your mood on a daily basis.
32. Be present in the moment. Cut the screen time in half and dial into what’s going on around you. You’re missing all the good stuff!
33. Be patient. Our culture loves instant gratification, but waiting for and earning things is far more rewarding!
34. Take responsibility for your emotions. Whether it is taking the time you need to heal after a trauma, or just practicing daily self-care, make a habit of understanding and managing your emotions. 
35. Practice positive self-talk. Negative self-talk serves no purpose other than to keep you stuck where you are. Grab yourself some positive affirmation cards and start replacing the false negatives with some true positives!
36. Take action towards your goals. “The way to get start is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney
37. Learn to ask for help when you need it. You can’t do everything, and asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Ask for help when you need it, and offer help to others who are in need. We are all in this together!
38. Be open to feedback and criticism. If you are anything like me, criticism (of any kind!) can be hard to stomach. But, I’ve learned how good things can come from making this a new habit. Find the growth opportunities in the feedback you get on a daily basis.
39. Practice constructive criticism. If you struggle with criticism, put yourself in the shoes of someone who also does. Make a habit of using careful and positive language to provide constructive criticism.
40. Learn to handle rejection gracefully. To help with this, remember that “as one door closes, another door opens.”
41. Stay motivated. It can be hard to stay motivated when you are working toward a big goal. For me, the best way to fight this is by using motivation mindset quotes to light a fire that keeps me moving forward!

Personal Habits

42. Wake up early. As hard as it can be, starting this morning habit allows for quiet reflection, mental clarity, and increased focus. The book “The 5AM Club” by Robin Sharma emphasizes the power of this habit, providing strategies to optimize morning routines for your most productive time of day.
43. Make your bed every morning. Whether you realize it or not, this small act gives you a sense of accomplishment and order right from the start. On top of this, it helps create a tidy and calm environment which helps set the stage for a productive day ahead!
44. Take breaks when you need them. Stepping away for a couple minutes to move your body, have a glass of water, or fold some laundry can completely refresh an overworked mind!
45. Practice self-care regularly. Don’t forget to have some quality time with yourself. Find your favorite self-care habit and practice it on a daily basis. 
46. Practice good hygiene habits. Take a hot shower (or cold showers if that’s your thing) and give those teeth a floss. It’s like a new you!

Good Habits for Health

47. Exercise regularly. This is should be one of the most important tasks that you make time for throughout your day. Regular exercise has many benefits for your physical and mental health. If you aren’t ready to commit to a long run every day, 30 minutes of movement per day is a step in the right direction!
48. Drink plenty of water. In a world of coffee, juice, and soft drinks, who wants to drink water? Aside from the obvious physical health benefits of drinking water, you’re better equipped to focus, listen, and learn when your body is adequately hydrated.
49. Meditate daily. Taking deep breaths and focusing your thoughts is a great way to reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance your mental health and emotional well-being.
50. Regular check-ups. Make a habit of scheduling annual medical check-ups, dental visits, and screenings to monitor your health.
51. Wear sunscreen. Applying sunscreen before going outdoors is important for staying safe in hot weather.
52. Posture awareness. Maintaining good posture while sitting, standing, and walking will help prevent discomfort and strain on your precious body.
53. Manage stress effectively. Stress can be very damaging for your physical and mental health when it isn’t handled in a good way. Keep your blood pressure regulated with some healthy techniques for managing stress.
54. Practice moderation in all things. Do you spend too much time watching too much TV? Do you find yourself eating too much junk food? These are common unhealthy habits that you can break with a little moderation! Better health awaits you after learning this good habit.
55. Take care of your health. Eating right and exercising daily are two of the hardest habits to form, but they are the best way to start living a healthy lifestyle!
56. Get enough sleep. Move your schedule around however you have to so that you can see how it feels to sleep for 8 hours for just a single day. Before long you will find yourself making this a regular habit!
57. Limit processed foods. Limit processed and sugary foods while aiming for more unprocessed options.

Relationships, Family, and Social Habits

58. Foster positive relationships. Surround yourself with people who build you up and challenge you to take on bigger and crazier challenges.
59. Practice forgiveness. Practicing forgiveness is one of the good things you can do to release negative emotions and foster healthier relationships through conflict resolution. 
60. Practice active listening. Being a good listener is one of the most important habits that you can develop. This valuable skill enhances communication by showing respect and empathy, deepening understanding, and reducing misunderstandings, leading to more meaningful interactions with your friends and family members.
61. Help others when you can. If you ever feel isolated or distant from others, taking some time to stop and help someone else can make you feel more connected and less alone. Make a habit of helping someone else every day and enjoy the feeling of a supportive community.
62. Practice empathy. It can be hard to think about how other people feel amongst all the chaos of life. But making a habit of practicing empathy can add so much value to your personal relationships that it is worth making this one a priority!
63. Surround yourself with positive influences. As the old saying goes, “you are the company you keep”. Surrounding yourself with people who want to hear about your dreams and goals will make you more likely to go after them!
64. Stay curious. Ask questions and engage. Not only will you learn more, but you will show people that you value the things they have to share.
65. Keep your promises. Make a habit of building trust in your closest relationships by sticking to your word.
66. Be respectful to others. Whether it is cleaning up after yourself, using good manners, or respecting others’ time and boundaries, being respectful is one of the keys to effective relationships.
67. Meet new people. Make a habit of challenging yourself to step outside your comfort zone and meet new people who support your personal growth.
68. Spend time with loved ones. When life gets busy it is easy to lose touch. Make time to connect with your best friend and your closest family members.

Good Financial Habits

69. Create a budget. Developing a monthly budget helps you track your income and expenses, allowing you to manage your money effectively and avoid overspending.
70. Save regularly. Setting aside a portion of your income for savings helps build an emergency fund and work towards more major financial goals.
71. Tracking your expenses. Keeping a record of your spending allows you to identify areas where you can cut back to make smarter financial decisions.
72. Pay your bills on time. Being consistent with bill payments helps avoid paying interest and maintains a good credit score.
73. Stop impulse buying. If you don’t need it 30 days from now, you don’t need it 30 seconds from now.
74. Reduce your debt. Make a plan to pay off high-interest debt and enjoy the feeling of financial freedom!
75. Set a financial goal. Set a short-term and a long-term financial goal and start a habit of working toward them.
76. Review your finances regularly. Sit down with a hot herbal tea and dig into your financial situation every month. This helps you make adjustments as needed so that you can stay on track!
77. Live below your means. Make positive changes to your lifestyle that help you spend less than you earn. This helps build savings quicker.

Creative Habits

78. Daily creative time. Set aside a specific time each day for creative activities that you are interested in. Writing, drawing, crafting, and playing an instrumental all help you consistently engage with your creative side.
79. Play. Yes, adults can play. Do something just for the sake of doing it. If you have kids, this should be very easy!
80. Learn how to play an instrument. Even if you have no musical ability, 5 minutes of practice every day adds up!
81. Start a visual journal. Use a journal to combine your reflections with visual elements like drawings and collages. This will help you express yourself while tapping into your creative side.
82. Dance. Make a habit of putting music on to do nothing but dance (like no one’s watching, preferably)!

Good Habits for Productivity

83. Reduce/refine your social media usage. Shift your focus to content that motivates and inspires you. Even a temporary social media hiatus can be a good idea if you need a break.
84. Prioritize your time. Your alone time is valuable. Put down your phone and focus on the things that are important to you. Even a couple of minutes is valuable and worth spending on a hobby or a personal project.
85. Declutter your space. If you have a hard time focusing, try tidying and reducing the number of things in your space. Getting rid of a little bit can open up space in your mind you didn’t know you were missing.
86. Keep a clean and organized home. When your home is clean, your mind realizes that there is less to do. This means more time you could be spending on more important things.
87. Use a daily to-do list. Creating daily or weekly to-do lists helps you organize tasks while providing a sense of accomplishment as you check items off. 
88. Practice the Pomodoro Technique. Working in focused intervals and turning off notifications during work periods helps maintain focus.
89. Avoid procrastination. It just leads to more stress, and you have enough of that! Just do the thing!
90. Avoid multitasking. It might feel like you are getting it all done, but multitasking really just drains focus and energy that you could be using on more important things!
91. Track your progress. Regularly tracking your progress on projects and tasks helps you stay accountable and motivated.

Business and Career Habits

92. Find the positives. On your way home from work, think of one single thing thing that went well that day. Tiny habits like this make all the difference!
93. Dream. Make time each day to dream and imagine what your future looks like in your career or business.
94. Strengthen work relationships. Make a habit of building relationships with your co-workers that extend beyond talking about work.
95. Professional development. Regularly seeking out opportunities for skill development and career advancement shows a commitment to growth.
96. Work toward building a personal brand. Focus on building a positive online presence and showcasing your expertise to enhance your professional reputation.
97. Take a course. Learn a new skill and make a habit of developing yourself and enhancing your skillset.
98. Grow your connections. Spend time each day reaching out to others in your field to forge strong business relationships.
99. Practice active problem-solving. Being able to solve problems is one of the most transferable skills. Make a habit of actively wrestling with the problems that you face instead of avoiding them!
100. Celebrate your achievements. Slow down and enjoy how good it feels to have achieved something you have worked hard for.

Practicing Good Habits

Forming a good habit is never an easy task. It is normal to feel challenged and to want to give up. But just remember that the things that take time and effort are worth it.

Try not to overwhelm yourself by taking on too many new habits at once. Use the ideas from above or our list of habit tracker ideas to get started!

If you are new to building healthy habits, choose a single new habit and start adding others once you have gained some confidence in yourself!

Don’t forget to share this post with your friends and family on social media! If you know someone who could use 100 good habits in their life, this blog post could be just what they need!

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