This summer is going to be a lot different than most. The majority of people will be spending at least a portion of their time at home with no real options for going out and socializing. This sucks, but there is a silver lining. Now is the perfect time to get serious with your goals and start developing good, long-term habits.
Here are five activities I am working on, and you’re welcome to join in too.
1. Grow All Monetized Social Media Accounts As Fast As Possible
I’ve been following LifeMathMoney’s The Art of Twitter guide to build up several affiliate marketing accounts. While I’m not a big fan of consuming Twitter’s short-form content, it is a fantastic platform for selling. You can convert prospects in 280 characters or less, something that’s virtually impossible anywhere else.
Additionally, as a fan of long-form content, I’m doing a lot more with Medium and trying to grow my accounts to at least 500 followers each. Between the site’s revenue sharing for pageviews and the ability to use referral links, this should be a smart move.
Personally, I think Web 3.0 social media type sites are overtaking traditional SEO (Google has been making some very unfavorable changes recently) and this is becoming a better area of focus. As such, I’m crafting 10 Tweets per account each day, and 5 Medium replies. With everyone at home and bored, now is a great time to expand your online businesses. And social media is an excellent platform with low barriers to entry.
2. Increase Income By Extra 10% This Year
Everyone wants to be a millionaire by next Tuesday. In the meantime they ignore the magic of compound interest.
Aiming for small, achievable income goals is often easier (and more sustainable) than burning yourself out with some titanic one-in-a-million long-shot. One strategy I enjoy is trying to grow my income by at least 10% per year.
This is a very low-pressure way to increase your earnings, and it’s one of the few techniques that’s easier to reach the less you make.
Doing this also provides you with the money to start an “opportunity fund” which allows you to take calculated risks and bet on yourself. This is a fantastic way to swing for the fences and capitalize off one or two big trends which leave you financially secure long-term.
Even playing it safe with your extra cash can still leave you well-off. Remember, investing $1,084 per month leaves you with an additional $724,000 after 20 years.
Not bad!
3. Write One New Article Per Day
It’s easier to maintain momentum than to start from ground zero. Because of this, I’m trying to create at least one new piece of content per day, in order to keep the creative juices flowing. The Internet also follows something of a 95-5 rule, where 95% of your traffic or comes from about 5% of your output. And sometimes what ends up being popular will surprise you.
Because of this, I’m trying to create something new across different sites and platforms all summer. Some of this content will flop, other articles will do great.
If you have a project you’re working on, lever up and try focusing on it daily for now. Like social media, blogs and websites are seeing an uptick in traffic simply because people are bored and want something to do. Same goes for YouTube and podcasts.
4. Read Three Books Every Month
There is absolutely zero benefit to watching television right now (or ever for that matter). Every news program is pure doom and you’d think it’s the end of the world.
You’re better off using your free time to watch informational YouTube videos or read books. At least you’re learning something or enjoying positive entertainment this way. In the last few weeks I’ve spent my free time reading biographies, action novels, and investment books. As well as watching a lot of how to YouTube videos and pouring over Seeking Alpha content.
If you have most of the summer to stay at home, you might as well invest that time into furthering your own education.
On top of this, you can often get the exact information needed to make one or two big chances to your life. Reading One Up On Wall Street (for example) opened my eyes to investing in Hormel Chili and Waste Management. I’m currently up 33% with my Hormel holdings, and 22% with Waste Management.
Likewise, The Adweek Copywriting Handbook and Ogilvy on Advertising allowed me to build up some of my first continuous passive income streams.
Currently I’m knocking out more book from my 2020 reading list and also enjoying The Future for Investors.
If you’re sitting at home with free time, you might as well learn some new skills, study from experts, and expand your brain. It’s a lot better than succumbing to the fear mongering news channels promote.
5. Lift Four Times Each Week
Nothing makes you feel better than a good, heavy lift. If you can start each morning with deadlifts or squats, you’re in for a good day.
I’ve been starting my mornings with:
- Deadlifts
- Squats
- Kettlebell swings
- Dumbbell snatches
- Skull-crushers
And my mood has noticeably improved since doing so.
Since you aren’t going out to eat or headed to the movie theater, you may as well invest an hour per day into working out. Nobody else is doing this, and things will open back up relatively soon. Being in-shape is going to give you a massive life advantage.
This Summer Is The Perfect Time To Set Minimalist Goals
You don’t need a whole bunch of crazy time management techniques or organizational systems right now. Most people have plenty of free time on their hands, giving you ample opportunities to improve your life.
Instead of overthinking, try to set consistent, easy to replicate daily goals for yourself. Things you can do every day no matter what.
By implementing minimalist goals like this, you develop a new routine, turning your conscious actions into regular habits.
This is a low-stakes time for implementing change. And I highly encourage you to use your free time to develop new, positive traits.