In my previous post, I looked at the concept of finding freedom from boredom – and the importance of creating adventure in your life. Here I’m going to outline for you seven ways in which you can not only be less bored, but give yourself the freedom to become more adventurous, and live a fulfilling 5 Day Weekend life.
- Put Wealth in its Proper Perspective
The American Psychological Association reports that, “…when people organize their lives around the pursuit of wealth, their happiness can actually decrease…Individuals who say that goals for money, image, and popularity are relatively important to them also report less satisfaction in life, fewer experiences of pleasant emotions, and more depression and anxiety.”
This isn’t simply about being rich for its own sake, but rather about maximizing your contribution and taking full advantage of this short life.
- Create Your List of Major Life Goals
Write down all the goals you want to achieve, dreams you want to fulfill, and experiences you want to have throughout your life- time. Take time to create a list that really inspires you. Dream big! Nothing is too outlandish. Explore the movie viewfinder of your mind. Emotionalize and socialize your goals. Imprint and internalize them on a cellular level. Have your peers hold you accountable and cut every sign of retreat to give yourself permission to succeed. You have to fight for your dreams otherwise unfulfilled dreams have a habit of haunting you for the rest of your life.
I drafted my own screenplay of goals. I was the actor, the producer and director. Here’s the exact wording of my list of goals verbatim, which I created when I was just eight years old and has fueled my life ever since:
- Walk on the moon.
- Go to the space station in a rocket and live there.
- Become an astronaut.
- Own beautiful places all over the world.
- Travel and explore more than 100 countries.
- Go to the bottom of the ocean and have lunch on the Titanic.
- Become a mountain climber and climb the highest mountains in the world.
- Run with the bulls in Spain.
- Become a millionaire.
- Become a rock-n-roll star.
(I’ve accomplished the last eight on this list and only have the first two remaining.)
- Never Stop Setting Goals
Once you achieve goals, keep setting new ones. Never stop raising the bar on yourself. “If your life’s work can be accomplished in your lifetime, you’re not thinking big enough,” said Wes Jackson founder and head of The Land Institute.
- Expand Your Hobbies and Skills
Ever wanted to learn how to play the guitar, learn how to dance, or learn how to code an app? What are you waiting for?
- Get Into Mindfulness
Mindfulness is “paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally,” as defined by Jon Kabat-Zinn, one of the most popular mindfulness teachers in the West. Mindfulness is formally practiced through meditation. Mindfulness has been proven in countless studies to improve your mental and physical health and overall well-being. It makes you more grateful and more present with all of life. It enables you to see the beauty and wonder in each moment. In short, it’s an extremely effective method for fighting boredom.
- Change Your Friends
Consider the priorities of your friends. Are they simply pursuing material wealth, comfort, and security, or are they fully engaged with life? Is it time for a change? Set the parameters as to whom you invite into your life.
- Be Unreasonable
We tend to be so reasonable and conservative in life. Perhaps it’s time to break out of that mold. Move to another country. Ride a bike across the country. Live alone in the woods for two months. Do anything other than sit around complaining about feeling bored.
Carpe Diem!
Today, we have more opportunities than even the most powerful kings of the past could ever have dreamed of. Life is an unrepeatable gift. There are no do-overs. Live fully and experience the magic that happens outside of your comfort zone. Never take anything for granted. Seize the day and make your life a non-stop adventure. You can’t just sit around and expect to be excited about life. Die empty and never a best kept secret. Enjoy the ride of your life and unleash your best work each and every day.
As Hunter S. Thompson wrote, “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow! What a ride!’”
In my next post, I’ll address how you can create peace in your life, by embracing another of the Seven Freedoms – Freedom from Regret.
I’d love to hear form you about how you’re finding adventure in your life. Have you taken major steps to knock yourself away from your routine? What did these involve? Thank you for sharing.
Secure your copy of the “5 Day Weekend” book. 5 Day Weekend: Freedom to Make Your Life and Work Rich with Purpose [Nik Halik & Garrett Gunderson]
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