March Madness, longer days and warmer weather signify spring. Let spring bring a sense of renewal to you.
Activating some change in your day-to-day life can help alleviate situational depression, anxiety, stress and yes anger too.
Innately, we feel a desire to make changes in our lives, we think about how we would like to be. However, the thought of making these changes can seem daunting. Many among us do not know how or where to begin.
Begin with the end in mind. That is, imagine how you would like to be and then identify the steps to get there. The first few steps are often about grounding yourself so that you are well prepared to embark on this process of personal and / or professional growth. Remember it is a process so the initial steps have to be realistic changes to make.
Commit to activating these 5 achievable activities in the next week or two which could lead to more satisfaction in your day to day life.
i. Begin to eliminate the clutter. Eliminate clutter from your home: i.e. tidy up, re-arrange your closet, clean out the garage. If your home or personal space is clean, tidy and uncluttered then you will feel more positive and be more motivated. How to do it? Commit to 2-hour time segments several times a week until the clutter is gone. ‘Unclutter your closets, unclutter your mind’.
ii. Learn a new skill. If your career is a source of dissatisfaction, take a continuing education course or community class to learn a new skill that will benefit your career. Learning new skills will boost your qualifications and your self-confidence and prepare you as your career evolves.
iii. Get physical. Find a sport, dance class or gardening group that interest you and give it a try. You might find you really enjoy it and have a natural talent for it. At the very least, you would be getting out, meeting new people and trying something new. All of which will boost to your self-esteem.
iv. Unplug 1 – 2 hours a day. Enjoy some quiet time without your smart phone or tablet. After 10 days of being unplugged for a spell each day, notice the amazing difference in you.
v. Give back to your community. Volunteer your time to an organization you support. Commit to a consistent number of hours each week or month. Volunteer to help children, seniors, the disabled, pets, homeless, care agencies, health agencies, fundraisers etc. Go ahead pick one. You’ll do something you enjoy and be giving back to your community at the same time.
Making small changes rejuvenate and energize us without completely disrupting our lives. In fact, small changes can make our lives more interesting. Sometimes, that’s all we need to feel healthy and fulfilled and other times it is what keeps us engaged in the process toward major life changes.
These 5 achievable activities are perfect for kickstarting motivation and through small, realistic, yet powerful changes. If you would like guidance from a professional in order to get on a path to genuine change, don’t hesitate to contact me.
Photo courtesy: Liz West
