It’s 2021! I don’t have to go into detail on all the drama associated with last year. With 2020 out of the way, there isn’t a better time to start building the life you want. We are focusing on the dash that sits in between the year you were born and the end of your life. That dash is what matters. Similar to planting a tree, the best time to start working on living your best life was 20 years ago. If you haven’t done that, the second best time is now. We will explore the following questions that will help develop your dash. You may also want to read my first blog post titled, Making the Most of my Dash.
- What does your best life look like?
- How to use a less than ideal situation to build what you want.
- How to use the my three things technique to work on your goals.
What does your best life look like?
First things first. Discover what your ideal life looks like. Do you want to own a business? Side hustle? A 9-5 job? Work part time and use a side hustle to fill in the gaps? Figuring this out is a key step in the process. Take the time to think this one over, but don’t dwell. Define some clear goals and write them down. Doesn’t matter if they seem unattainable, write it anyway.
I have some goals as far as what living my best life would look like. The trick is getting to the point of execution. Are you stuck in an less than ideal situation with another job, but can’t leave? How do you use that job as a tool to get what you want?
Using a less-than ideal situation
Living your best life might seem impossible especially if you are stuck in a less-than ideal situation. I have worked at UPS for 20 years. Yes, you read that correctly. 20 years is a long time. A long time of devoting my life to something that isn’t exactly an ideal situation. It was never my plan to stay there that long, it was supposed to be temporary. Yet, here I am 20 years later working at UPS. I can complain about UPS all day long. Sometimes, I do. But that does not get me anywhere. I still have to show up the next day. I can use UPS and the fact that it is a stable job and provides for my family. I can use that peace of mind to start some side-hustles. It is a delicate dance though, the day job can zap all my energy and motivation, leaving little time for working on what I want.
My three things
For those of us who have a lot of commitments, implementing the “My three things” method of completing tasks has helped me. I first learned of it from Nicole Sauce at the Living free in Tennessee Podcast. The idea is that you must complete three things every day towards a specific goal. I do not include general chores or daily responsibilities. Someday’s you might only have one my three things task for the day. Because life is busy you also might have 20 things to complete in one day. Which is going to happen, but the my three things for that day are the tasks that are completed no matter what. This can become complex and ongoing. Big picture goals need a longer time commitment. For example, being debt free or losing weight.
Listen to the Living Free in Tennessee Podcast Episode 275 to learn more about the my three things technique. But, don’t dwell much on technique. The important thing to remember is to start working on completing some goals.
What is your best life?
Well, that depends. Depends on you and your family. I can’t answer this one for you. It is something you will have to figure out as time moves forward. Have you always wanted a garden? Does having a garden fit into your life currently or do adjustments need to be made? Having some minions, I mean kids around can help with getting stuff done around the house. As a result, it will free time up for you to work on some goals instead of cleaning dishes all day long!
Tick tock, tick tock
Time is moving forward so you must act now to build your best life. I drag my feet all the time, waiting for the “best” time. The time is now. Often times the hurdles to getting stuff is not the task but ourselves. Move out of the way, step back from the situation and focus on completing some goals.
I have heard the phrase “the new normal” being pushed to the public. I’m not a fan of the phrase. As time moves forward it will be more difficult to build the life you want. Are you one of the people, wanting life to be like the “old normal?” Well, I have news for you, the “old normal” wasn’t that great either and we should not want to get back to that. We should be looking to build a different life that is drastically different from the old one. One that is is full of meaning and purpose.
There isn’t a better time than now to start living your best life, I know I am!
You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.
C.S. Lewis
Leave a Reply