We are all given 24 hours per day. Do you think about how you’re spending that time? More importantly, do you know what you really want to do with it?
So often we move along in life, doing things we need and should do without putting a lot of thought into what we actually want to do. Isn’t it about time to discover what you really want out of life so you can go after those dreams and goals?
What Makes You Happy?
Start by making a list of things that make you happy. At the end of the day, that’s what it is about, isn’t it? We want to live a happy life surrounded by the people we love. Take out a notebook and start making your happy list.
Once you know what makes you happy and have it in front of you in black and white, you can begin to work towards spending more time in your happy place. It makes it easier to decide how to spend your time.
What Makes You Miserable?
Just as important is realising what makes you miserable and how much time you spend in that state. Yes, there are times in our lives that we need to tough it out and do the stuff we really don’t want to do. Household chores, or doing your taxes aren’t things you love to do, but they have to get done. Other things can be changed. If you’re miserable in your job, you can make a switch. If you don’t enjoy your work hours, you can work towards getting them changed.
Once you know what makes you miserable, you can start to do two things. The first is to get these things done as quickly and efficiently as possible. Instead of procrastinating, you can get through it and move on to what makes you happy. It also shows you opportunities where you can cut the miserable out of your life. For example, if you hate dusting all the surfaces in your house that are covered in mementoes and knick-knacks, it may be time to declutter and simplify.
What Keeps You Up at Night?
Last but not least, make a list of things that keep you up at night. If that looming credit card bill is costing you sleep, it may be time to sacrifice the daily latte habit and cancel the cable bill so you can work towards digging your way out of debt. If it’s worrying about your health, realising this and writing it down may give you the motivation to make that long overdue doctor’s appointment or embrace healthy lifestyle changes.
Spend some time figuring out what you really want. You can’t make any lasting changes and improvements until you figure out what the end goal is.
