Who doesn’t sometimes wonder how to get their life together? It often feels like the days are just passing us by, and we’re only just going from one to-do list to the next. But there’s good news: with a few simple yet effective tips, you can improve your life and experience a sense of control and satisfaction. In this article, you will find 15 practical pieces of advice that will help you if you’re feeling lazy or unmotivated – in a way, a guide to a more content and organized life.

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” – Socrates

What Does It Really Mean to Get Your Life Together?

“Getting your life together” can mean something different to everyone. Nevertheless, there is a general idea that many people share. First and foremost, it means that you make decisions consciously and autonomously, and that you don’t just react to external circumstances. You know what you want and act proactively to achieve it. This involves having your finances, health, relationships, and personal well-being under control.

Another important aspect is that you are constantly acquiring new skills and knowledge to effectively respond to changes in your life and not be overwhelmed by them. You know your strengths and weaknesses and try to improve them rather than being controlled by them. You feel able to overcome problems and challenges instead of being overwhelmed by them.

Getting your life together also means that you pay attention to your mental and physical health. You pay attention to a healthy diet, do exercise, and take time to relax and for activities that you enjoy. It means that you lead a balanced life where work, leisure, social contacts, and private interests are in a healthy equilibrium.

Of course, “getting your life together” doesn’t mean that everything is always perfect. All people have difficulties and challenges; this is a normal part of life. It’s more about how you deal with these challenges – positively, proactively, and with the conviction that you can improve your situation.

How to Get Your Life Together: 15 Practical Tips

It is completely normal to feel lazy or unmotivated sometimes. But in the long run, it can hinder your commitment and success. Try our 15 tips to combat your lack of motivation and get your life together:

1. Set Realistic Goals

It’s good and necessary to have goals. They help you to stay focused and provide the framework within which you can act. But it’s also just as important that these goals are realistic. Impossible goals only lead to frustration and a feeling of failure.

Make sure that your goal is clearly defined. It should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound – that’s the so-called SMART rule. An example of a SMART goal could be: “I want to lose 20 pounds in the next six months.” This goal is specific (you know exactly what you want to achieve), measurable (you can track your progress), achievable (it is not unrealistic to lose 20 pounds in six months), relevant (it is something that you really want) and time-bound (you have a clear end date).

Unrealistic goals put you under pressure and can lead to frustration and discouragement, or you’ll end up overwhelmed and achieve nothing at all. So, be honest with yourself and set goals that you can realistically achieve. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day!

2. Take Time for Yourself

It’s crucial to incorporate regular “me time” into your daily life. These times offer you a respite from the stress of the day and enable you to focus on your own needs and desires. Whether you read a book, take a bath, take a walk, or simply sit still and follow your thoughts, it’s important to reserve this time for yourself.

Not only can it help lower your stress levels and clear your thoughts, it can also help you focus better on what really matters and prioritize your decisions. Moreover, this can be an opportunity to develop further on a personal level by taking the time to learn about an area of ​​interest or a skill that you’ve always wanted to master.

Also, don’t forget that reserving small windows of time during the day to invest in yourself can increase your productivity and make you feel more content and balanced. Try to reserve at least 15 to 30 minutes for yourself every day.

3. Stay Positive

A positive attitude can work wonders when you’re trying to get your life together. By practicing seeing the glass as half full instead of half empty, you can improve your perspective and thus your overall sense of well-being. Here are some suggestions on how to do this:

  • Positive affirmations: Start your day with motivational statements that support you. It’s amazing how much words can influence our thoughts and feelings. Try it out and say, for example, ‘I can do it’ or ‘I am strong and capable.’ [Internal link to 111 positive affirmations post]
  • Express gratitude: Take a moment to think about what you are grateful for. This can be a helpful tool for converting negative thoughts.

4. Plan and Prioritize

Equally important is organizing your life and setting priorities. A well-structured schedule is a great way to avoid feeling overwhelmed or overstuffed. Do you like to procrastinate? Then good time management can be a game changer for you.

Start by planning your day, your week, or even your month in advance. Consider more important tasks and aim to accomplish them first. While putting off less important tasks may be tempting, it’s usually counterproductive.

By carefully prioritizing your tasks and following a well-organized plan, both your productivity and your general satisfaction and well-being can be significantly improved.

Breaks should also be planned. They offer the opportunity to refresh your mind and recharge your batteries. An overloaded mind can leave you feeling burnt out and demotivated.

Whether you prefer a to-do list on paper, a digital task list, or a task management tool, find out which method works best for you and use it to get your life together.

5. Find Your Passion

Immerse yourself in topics that inspire you, and you’ll find how much more energy and motivation you have. You may discover a passion that you can turn into a new profession or fulfilling hobby.

And don’t forget that passions can develop and change; there’s no set limit. In Japan, the practice of Ikigai was developed for this.

6. Practice Self-Acceptance

You will probably find that one of the biggest challenges in getting your life together is accepting yourself. This means not only recognizing your strengths and successes but also accepting your weaknesses and failures.

Self-acceptance is key to improving your motivation and productivity. In fact, a lack of self-acceptance can lead to self-doubt and negative emotions, which in turn can impair your ability to act effectively and make progress.

7. Exercise Regularly

Exercise is not only good for your body but also for your mind. Movement can help to improve your mood and reduce stress, which will help you get your life together. You don’t have to go to a gym or be marathon-ready: walks, dance classes, or simple exercises that you can do at home are just as effective. The most important thing is to find a physical activity that you enjoy and can do regularly.

8. Make Sure You Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Sufficient sleep is essential for a good mood, productivity, and your general well-being. Try to go to bed at the same time every evening and wake up at the same time every morning.

If you have difficulty getting to bed on time, try to establish an evening routine. This could mean that you drink a soothing cup of herbal tea, meditate or read a book before you go to sleep. It sometimes also helps to turn off electronic devices an hour before bedtime to calm the mind and tune in to a restful night’s sleep.

Set an alarm to remind you to prepare for sleep in case you tend to forget about the time. Sleep with an eye mask and earplugs if you are easily disturbed. And create an environment that promotes relaxation and sleep – a cooler temperature, darkness, and silence can be helpful.

Adhering to a regular sleep schedule can significantly improve your attitude to life and help you get your life together better. Always remember that good sleep isn’t a luxury but a necessity for excellent health and well-being.

9. Be Grateful

Be grateful for what you have and for what you have achieved. A sense of gratitude leads to a more positive attitude and can help to alleviate depression or anxiety. Writing down what you’re grateful for every day can actually reprogram your brain to pay more attention to positive experiences and less to negative ones.

This simple ritual can help you break negative thought patterns and lead to an overall improvement in your well-being. Don’t forget that gratitude is a practice – the more you focus on it, the more natural it becomes.

10. Take Care of Your Mental Health

Good mental health is essential for keeping your daily life under control. Stress, being overwhelmed, and a lack of motivation can often indicate a stressed mind. Here are some things you can do to protect and strengthen your mental health:

  • Self-care: Take time to take care of yourself. This can mean taking a relaxing bath, going for a walk in nature, or reading a good book. These activities can relax your mind and help you better deal with the challenges of the day.
  • Social interactions: Build relationships and networks that give you positive support. Humans are social beings by nature, and contact with others can improve well-being.
  • Conscious breathing and meditation: These techniques can help you to center yourself, calm your mind, and reduce stress. Simple breathing exercises can have a great effect.
  • Professional help: If you feel that your mental health is seriously suffering and you can’t cope on your own, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Psychologists and therapists are there to help you and give you the tools you need to protect and improve your mental health. You can also contact the telephone helpline at any time if you prefer it to be anonymous [External link to the telephone helpline website, in a new tab]

By taking these aspects into account in your daily life, you can help ensure that you strengthen your mental health and get your life together better.

11. Learn New Things

Learning new skills and knowledge can help you get your life together. Not only do you increase your knowledge and skills, but you also encourage yourself to constantly broaden your horizons. With each new topic you learn, you open a door to new opportunities, new people, and perhaps even new passions. You must also not forget that learning leads to mental vitality and can help you to better understand the complexity and diversity of life.

It’s never too late or too early to learn something new. It could be a new language, a musical instrument, a manual skill, or maybe even a new athletic activity. Actively pursuing further education can also help you feel more self-confident and positive.

Be curious, make use of the many sources of information and education available today, and you will be surprised at how much fun learning can be and how it helps you to get your life together.

12. Stay Curious and Open

It’s no secret that our brain loves nourishment. And this doesn’t necessarily mean real food, but new knowledge, new experiences, and new challenges. Through curiosity and openness, we promote our creative thinking, our ability to solve problems and think critically.

Constantly try to learn things that are outside of your area of expertise or your comfort zone. This can mean that you take a cooking class if you work in IT or are interested in architecture while you are working in medicine. This variety of interests helps you to see things from different perspectives and can inspire you to innovative solutions and ideas. It’s also an excellent way to relax and relieve stress.

Now you might ask: “How do I stay open?” The answer is simple: just be open to new things, whether it’s an unusual task, a new method, or a different way of thinking. Openness means being ready to move out of your comfort zone to enter new and unfamiliar terrain. And don’t forget that making mistakes is part of the process, so don’t be afraid to try something and fail at it.

13. Connect with Positive People

Positive people can be an inspiring and motivating force in your life. They radiate energy that can be contagious and encourages you to tackle challenges with enthusiasm and confidence. Their optimism can help you to view difficult situations from a different perspective and to find solutions that you may not have thought of.

Maintaining contact with positive people can also be very beneficial for your well-being and mental health. Studies have shown that interacting with positive people can help reduce stress, release happiness hormones, and increase your overall satisfaction with life. This is why it’s important that you surround yourself with people who have a positive attitude towards life and encourage you to give your best. [External link to a relevant study, opening in a new tab]

There are many ways to attract positive people into your life. You could attend networking events, volunteer, or pursue other interests that are important to you. And don’t forget that you can also be a source of positivity for others. By maintaining a positive attitude and showing kindness and support, you can inspire others to do the same.

14. Practice Patience and Perseverance

Patience and perseverance are undoubtedly two essential characteristics that will help you to get your life together. Patience allows you to reap the rewards of your efforts, even if it takes a while. Many of the best things in life require time, and being patient in your pursuit means that you won’t give up if you don’t see results right away.

Perseverance, on the other hand, is the quality that makes you keep going despite setbacks, difficulties or discouragement. It takes courage and inner strength, but it is definitely worth it. Imagine how satisfying it is to achieve your goals after having struggled through all the adversity.

15. Strive for a Balanced Lifestyle

A balanced lifestyle begins with setting priorities. Make sure you manage your time well and keep an overview. Use planners and to-do lists to structure your day and find a balance between work and personal life.

It’s also important to plan time for yourself to find inner balance. Make sure that you do not constantly feel rushed or stressed; these are signs that your lifestyle needs to be brought back into balance.

Bonus: 5 Life-Changing Habits of Successful People

Even if you’re just starting out small to get your life together, it can be inspiring to see how successful people structure their lives. After all, it’s rarely exceptional talents, but rather their daily routines that ultimately lead people to success:

  • Early rising: Successful people often choose to start their day early. This gives them more control over their day, more time for productive tasks, and for personal growth. These quiet morning hours are perfect for planning and setting priorities in peace.
  • Continuous learning: Although they’re already successful, these people never stop learning. They read, attend workshops and seminars and are constantly looking for new ways to expand their knowledge and skills. After all, growth is key to success.
  • Conscious eating: A healthy diet has an impact not only on physical health but also on the mind. Successful people understand the importance of a balanced diet and take the time to eat consciously and healthily. This provides them with the necessary energy for the day.
  • Networking: Successful people know that relationships are important. They invest time and energy in building networks and diligently maintain their business relationships. Good relationships can open new doors and pave the way for success.
  • Time Management: One of the keys to success is using time effectively. Many successful people use time management techniques and tools to organize their days and maximize their productivity. They understand that every second counts and use their time wisely.

Conclusion: How to Stay Motivated Permanently

Getting your life together is not just about being organized and disciplined but also about continuously taking care of your well-being and inner contentment. Whether you’re struggling with a lack of motivation or laziness, it’s important to remember that change is possible – as long as you’re willing to work on yourself and not give up.

The techniques and habits presented here can help to improve your life and take control. Remember, however, that every person is unique and what works for one person may not necessarily work for another. It’s about developing your own routines and structures that suit your lifestyle and your personal preferences and goals.

Good luck on your way to getting your life together. Stay positive, be patient with yourself and don’t give up. Over time, you’ll notice changes and feel like you’re in control.

And important: Remember that there is no shame in accepting help if you find that you are not able to cope alone. There are many professional counseling and support services that can support you in such a situation.

FAQs

What is the first step to getting my life together?

The first step is to accept your current situation. It is important that you take a realistic look at your life and recognize what you want to change. After that, you can set specific goals and create an action plan.

How can I increase my motivation when I feel down?

When you’re feeling down, it can be especially challenging to keep your motivation up. However, there are ways you can regain your energy in such situations.

First, it is important that you do not judge yourself too harshly. It is perfectly normal that we all feel down at times. Accept your feelings and allow yourself to experience them. Often it helps if we take this time to acknowledge our emotional state.

Also place importance on physical activity to improve your mood. Exercise releases endorphins, which act as natural mood boosters. Even a short walk in the fresh air can have a positive effect on your well-being.

An optimistic attitude can also help to increase your motivation. Even if this is not easy in difficult times, remind yourself of the things you’re grateful for and try to break negative thought loops. Pay attention to inspiring quotes or stories and, if possible, surround yourself with positive people who can support and motivate you.

What do I do if I keep putting off my goals?

It could be that your goals are too big or too unclear. Try to break them down into smaller, easier to manage steps. Set daily or weekly goals and celebrate your successes to boost your motivation.

What if I don’t know what my passion is?

There is no quick way to find your passion. You can start by asking yourself what you like to do in your free time or what you are really interested in. Trying new things can offer you fresh perspectives and help you discover your passion.

What’s the best way to deal with negative people who drain my energy?

Set healthy boundaries and learn to say “no.” It’s important to put your own health and well-being first. If possible, minimize your interactions with these people or seek support from friends, family, or a therapist.