Six things to stop doing now

Here are Arvind’s six simple rules…

1. STOP WASTING TIME

This is about becoming more productive. So many people check their inbox every two minutes, or go to Facebook to look up people they haven’t seen for 20 years. Before they know it, two hours have passed.

“That’s fine if you want to socialise,” says Arvind, “but many of us get distracted by social media and after several hours, we find we’ve achieved nothing much at all. We need rules to prevent this happening. Check your inbox twice a day at the most and ask whether it wouldn’t be easier to have a telephone conversation instead of ping-ponging emails.”

Use Arvind’s 3D rule – Delete, Delegate and Do – with everything that comes into your life. Either decide not to do a job, ask someone else to do it for you or do it yourself. Stop subscribing to so many newsletters and stop downloading things for the sake of it.

2. STOP COLLECTING CLUTTER

Don’t hang on to clothes that no longer fit or shoes that hurt you; throw out dried up make-up and toiletries; get rid of your collection of supermarket plastic bags; give away your children’s old toys that they no longer play with. If things fall out of your cupboard when you open the door, it’s time to clear them out.

3. STOP BEING MISERABLE

Try to remember when you last laughed so deeply your sides hurt, recommends Arvind.

“Stop going around with a miserable face. Instead look for the fun in life and laugh at things,” he says. “Most people are so inside their own heads they don’t know what’s going on around them. Look for something special in each moment because that moment is never going to come back.

“Stop slouching in front of the television and go out and get some air. Listen to your friends by all means, but don’t spend all your time listening to other people complaining. It will drain your energy.”

If you’re feeling down, make a list of five things that you’re grateful for, or look for ways to help others. Sign up for a sponsored parachute jump or offer to do some shifts in a charity shop. Enrol on a course to learn a new skill – it will refocus your mind, and you might make some new friends.

4. STOP WASTING MONEY

Keep a money diary for a week and see where your cash goes. You may find you are buying things such as books that you never get round to reading, or kitchen gadgets you never use. You may buy four coffees a day, which adds up to a small fortune over a year, or clothes every time you go shopping.

“Get creative with your food leftovers,” suggests Arvind. “Research has estimated that we throw away 20 per cent of the food we buy, so look at ways to use it up and cut your food bills down. Every time you’re tempted to buy something, ask yourself if you really need it. Don’t subscribe to magazines you might never read, or buy cosmetics just because there’s an offer on.”

5. STOP ABUSING YOUR BODY

We abuse our bodies in so many ways, whether we fill them up with fizzy diet drinks, smoke, eat junk food, sit in front of a computer playing games all evening, or skip a decent night’s sleep.

“Start by walking for 10 minutes a day or substitute water for fizzy drinks or make an effort to be in bed by 11pm on week nights,” says Arvind.

Give up caffeine, and cut down on meat, fried food and sugar. Save eating out for a treat – nothing tastes as good as home-made food.

Make your loved ones the focus of your life. We never know how long we may have with those we love so stop making excuses about not having time to spend with them or being too tired to drive 50km to see them, for example. Create a special moment with someone you care for – phone them for a long chat, or meet them for a cup of tea. You could even make it a regular date, once a week or once a month. Take time with your parents and ask them as many questions as you can while you can. Learn as much as you can from them.

“Go and see a film or go for a walk with loved ones,” suggests Arvind. “If they’re elderly or house-bound, a visit from you will make their day. If you really listen to them you will make them feel so special.”