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To say 2024 has been a roller coaster for my career is an understatement, but somehow, I've kept my sanity and stayed positive. What's different this year from others? We got a dog, and because I work from home, he keeps me so busy that I don't have time to worry about anything else 🤣 So he helps me focus on what matters and stick to a routine. Who would've thought getting a dog would be a life hack?
What are your non-traditional life hacks?
@Mario Jacome My sleep schedule has never been so fine-tuned as it has been since I got my dog!
@Shan Minhas you're absolutely right! He doesn't let me sleep late anymore. He demands his morning walk! 🤣
@Shan Minhas @Mario Jacome You both are going to make me want one.
@Desiree Thomas do it! 🤣
@Mario Jacome aww he's so cute!
I'm not sure if it counts as a non-traditional life hack but I've been trying to do the 5 minute rule, where if something will take me less than 5 minutes, I try do it immediately instead of adding it to a to-do list where it may never get done
@Lillian Farnkopf I would definitely consider this a hack! As a matter of fact, I'm going to start implementing it. Completing any task, as small as it may be, still gives you that feeling of accomplishment. I'm all for it!
@Mario Jacome soo cutee haha. I've been wanting to adopt a dog for several years but it keeps getting delayed. You're saying he helps you stay focused?
@Shadi El Asaad you can't reason with a dog. Once they learn a routine, they stick to it. So you can't afford to waste time because otherwise, it creates a snowball for you. He will sit next to me and start barking when it's time for his walk, so I plan my day around his schedule and use that schedule as "check-in points".
@Mario Jacome how cute!!
@Mario Jacome He is absolutely adorable! I believe he brightens your day!
I moved aboard and quit my 9-to-5 job this year, which suddenly gave me more free time. To maintain a positive outlook, I am building my second career as a coach. My clients keep me busy as we navigate the unknown together.
@Tiffany Teng someone told me once that when you are a teacher/coach you also learn a lot from your students. Have you noticed this?
@Mario Jacome You're absolutely right. YES, I do!
@Mario Jacome He's so cute!
My non-traditional life hack is to stay snacking throughout the work day to keep up the energy 😄
@Jason Obeid I like that one! I guess the challenge for me would be to look for healthy snacks. Otherwise, I will end up with crashing early in the day 🤣
@Mario Jacome so cute! my non-traditional life hack has to be changing location for boring tasks. if I have a bunch of admin to do that I can't be bothered with, I go work from a new cafe or library. I get to treat myself to a coffee and, for some reason, the novelty of a new place motivates me to get stuff done!
@Cara Ellis I haven't done that in quite some time. Having the dog makes it a little bit more challenging, but I guess I can always look for pet-friendly places!
@Cara Ellis @Mario Jacome I second this! I've been loving working from a cafe the second half of my day when the afternoon slump hits
@Mario Jacome what a cute doggie! Having a dog has definitely made a huge impact in my life, and also how i see and approach other dogs as well. Hope 2025 just goes up from there!
@Adriano Reis thanks! The last time I had a dog was when I was a teen, and my parents were taking care of him. Now I'm the father, so I'm the one taking care of him. It's a completely different experience now, and it has definitely had a huge impact on my life, too!
Fingers crossed for 2025! But it looks very promising from here!
@Mario Jacome such a lovely dog! Same story for me. Having 2 dogs definitely has pushed me over the years to keep consistent with my routine. They don't care if you woke up groggy, upset, or not. For them routine is the #1 priority and just seeing them makes me forget any and all issues I might have. Dogs are the best!
@Henry Ollarves yeah, that's a nice thing about dogs that nobody told me before. When your life is chaotic(that was me), they help you slow down and get yourself into a routine!
@Mario Jacome A tip if you struggle with getting yourself to go sit down at your desk; put your dog’s comfiest bed next to your desk. 💀 My little chihuahua will cry and scratch at the door until I go into the office. On days that I am struggling to motivate myself, it helps to have the...
@Kayla Elorza a friend once told me that I'm not training my dog. My dog is training me. Truer words have never been spoken 🤣
@Kayla Elorza this is actually so sweet 🥲
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