There is no nirvana.
There is no pinnacle to be reached (even if we think we can imagine one).
There is no such thing as complete fulfillment.
The sooner you recognize these facts, the sooner you can get on with improving your life.
That may sound intimidating, but it isn’t. On the contrary, it’s massively releasing. Acknowledging that the achievement of one big goal is not going to make your life “perfect” will open you up to the realization that any positive step – no matter how small – can improve your life.
And invariably, small positive steps lead to big positive changes.
Don’t believe me? I’m sure there are things you have started doing in the past that have had a positive impact on your life. It could be something as simple as making your bed in the morning or going for a morning constitutional. It may not feel like a big deal, but it has improved your life nonetheless.
That’s how easy it is to improve your life, and it didn’t require something as frightening as quitting your job.
Now don’t get me wrong – quitting your job may be a big goal of yours, but it doesn’t have to be the goal. It’s not like you can’t work on improving your life in smaller ways while you focus on that bigger goal too.
This is something I have come to realize only too well, as I have quit my job.
I quit my job quite some time ago in fact – back in 2011. But guess what: my life isn’t perfect. Far from it. I’m working on improving my life as much as (if not more than) I ever have.
For a long time I thought that quitting my job was what would lead me to the imaginary state of nirvana that I mentioned at the beginning of this post. It took me quitting my job – followed by over 2 1/2 years of gradually building a successful online business – to learn that there are no miracle milestones. You can only do your best to ensure that your journey through life is as enjoyable as possible for you and those you care about. That is achieved through all of your actions and experiences – from the biggest to the smallest.
With that in mind, I want to issue a challenge.
I want you to commit to doing one small thing, for two weeks, that you think will positively affect your life. And I want you to tell me what that small thing is in the comments section below.
It needs to be something that you absolutely will not cop out on. Think really small.
Here are a few suggestions to get your creative juices flowing:
- Listen to a particular song that makes you happy every day
- Email friends that you haven’t spoken to for a while every day, just to see how they’re getting on
- Take every opportunity to compliment people
- Walk for ten minutes every day
- Start using 750 Words
- Stop consuming news (it’s almost always negative)
- Take a break from social media
- Do a ten minutes of cleaning around your home every day
- Learn a new simple skill every day (like how to fold a t-shirt or how to make an origami crane)
- Unplug (no electric devices) an hour before bedtime
I’m going to come back to you in two weeks, at which point you’ll remind me of what you tried, then tell me what happened, and how the process was of any benefit to you.
I can assure you one thing: one way or another, this process absolutely will be of benefit if you follow through. I guarantee it.
I’d like you to dwell on that for a moment. No matter how tough life can get – no matter how difficult the big goals you set can feel – there are things you can do right now to improve your life.
How’s that for empowerment?
So let’s get started – join me in the comments section below where I’m about to share my own small change, and let me know what your small change is! Then make that change, starting tomorrow.
Photo Credit: Marisa