I write a lot about forming life enriching habits. One of the things I talk about in this post on is that instead of focusing on things you want to STOP doing, most people find more success with forming habits they would like to cultivate instead. (In other words, work on a “DO” habit instead of a “DON’T” habit.)

So, instead of saying to myself “I want to stop yelling at my kids,” I might have more success if I learn some discipline tools that you can use instead of yelling at my kids.

Instead of “stop spending money on take-out,” I might have more success if I work on positive habits, such as paying all the bills and putting money into savings as soon as I get paid.

And if I find myself trolling people on the internet, instead of telling myself “stop trolling people on the internet,” I might be more successful if I choose something else to do instead.

In that spirit, I offer the following list of things one might do instead of trolling people on the internet.

1. Study for that test
2. Do your homework
3. Work on your college applications
4. Study for the S.A.T.
5. Cook dinner for your parents
6. Clean up the kitchen
7. Pay a bill
8. Take out the trash
9. Take a shower
10. Say something kind to someone
11. Go for a walk
12. Go to the gym
13. Do your laundry
14. Go to bed
15. Donate money to a charitable cause
16. KonMari your home
17. Take a professional development course
18. Go grocery shopping
19. Play a video game
20. Knit a sweater or something
21. Skateboard
22. Go for a run
23. Go for a swim
24. Go for a hike
25. Pick up litter on the street
26. Reach out to your therapist
27. Learn a new language
28. Read a book
29. Redecorate your home
30. Plant some flowers
31. Plant a vegetable garden
32. Write about yourself instead of other people
33. Play an instrument
34. Sing some karaoke
35. Sing in a chorus
36. Work on your resume
37. Send out a job application
38. Go do some online shopping
39. Figure out your budget
40. Figure out your long term financial plan.
41. Volunteer
42. Plan a date for your significant other
43. Have sex with a consenting adult. Or two. Whatever.
44. Masturbate
45. Work on an arts and crafts project
46. Paint a picture
47. Draw
48. Finally get your small business plan written
49. Ask someone how their day was
50. Run an errand you have been putting off
51. Buy someone a gift for someone in your life
52. Make a gift for someone in your life
53. Watch TV
54. Watch a movie at home
55. Binge watch your favorite show on Netflix
56. Go to the library
57. Watch a documentary
58. Go sky diving
59. Book a ticket to someplace you have always wanted to visit
60. Call a relative
61. Clean out your pantry and bring food to a food bank
62. Meditate
63. Do some yoga
64. Learn a martial art
65. Learn Parkour
66. Pray
67. Go to sleep
68. Play fantasy football
69. Play real football
70. Play Magic the Gathering
71. Play Dungeons and Dragons
72. Play World of War craft
73. Play GURPS
74. Watch porn
75. Smoke whatever you enjoy
76. Drink
77. Use your substance of choice
78. Listen to a loved one
79. Talk about your own problems
80. Go out for dinner
81. Buy a new outfit
82. Learn a new sport
83. Shoot baskets
84. Listen to an audiobook
85. Go to a concert
86. Go to a movie
87. Go to a play
88. Go to a museum
89. Bake your favorite dessert
90. Cook your favorite meal
91. Read a science textbook
92. Read a history textbook
93. Watch paint dry
94. Learn how to read and interpret statistics and scientific studies
95. Walk your dog
96. Clean your cat’s litter box
97. Post pictures of yourself on social media
98. Pick a new habit to work on
99. Do a jigsaw puzzle
100. Play Sudoku
101. Do a crossword puzzle
102. Paint your nails
103. Plant an herb garden
104. Organize your bookshelf
105. Delete all the files you don’t need off your computer
106. Delete all the files you don’t need off your phone
107. Cry if you need to. Really.
108. Build a piece of furniture
109. Scrub your floors
110. Brush your teeth
111. Drink a glass of water
112. Clean your bathroom
113. Do some origami
114. Listen to a podcast
115. Listen to a symphony
116. Get treatment for your depression
117. Get treatment for your anxiety
118. Listen to an opera
119. Listen to the radio
120. Groom your pet
121. Watch stand-up comedy videos
122. Watch how-to videos
123. Dance
124. Learn an new skill
125. Read things on the internet that you actually like, and comment positively on them.

If you are looking for more guidance on how to set a sustainable habit goal, start with this post.

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