Do You Regret The Path You've Chosen?

Are you stuck in a rut, meandering through days on autopilot? Let’s be honest: we can spend large parts of life doing the bare minimum. There are always distractions pulling at us. I just don’t have any time, is always a bullshit excuse when we are avoiding the challenge. I know, I have used it myself. Why don’t you check your screen time on both Netflix and Social Media and recalculate the amount wasted?

So, just how do you make the jump from living the mundane or mediocre to a life that inspires you to move? Turn off the smartphone notifications and focus your attention on these 5 actions.

One day you will wake up and there won’t be any more time to do the things you always wanted. Do it now. –Paulo Coehlo

Wake up earlier

There are thousands of success gurus online telling you to get up at 5 am daily. Before embarking on setting your alarm for this hour, you need to reflect on why. What is it you can do before most of the western world rises? Making such drastic modifications can have the opposite effect. Start with making small gradual changes to manipulate time. This could be getting out of bed 10 minutes earlier or getting up within 1 minute of the alarm going off. I don’t use an alarm.

However, I have worked hard at building a morning routine that benefits me, which starts the night before. Getting the proper amount of sleep and quality of rest is crucial. Most nights I’m asleep at 10:30 pm. I can still find time with the family before going dark. Lack of sleep ruins your day. The energy is low, concentration is shot to pieces, and motivation to attempt anything is non-existent. The three cups of coffee before work is not sustainable. Get proper rest, and begin your day with a slight adjustment to waking early.

Stretch your mind with books

There is simply no excuse for not reading. You can access everything on your phone… Can you allocate 15 minutes a day to expand your mind? The world is moving at an alarming pace, how will you keep up without knowledge? Reading can be educational, entertaining, emotional, inspirational, life-altering, and enjoyable. The benefits of mental stimulation can help rewire your brain. It doesn’t matter the genre, you can learn so much within the pages. Don’t be restrictive to thoughts that probe at your subconscious.

Some people prefer reading at night as it can help aid sleep. It’s when your mind and body should be in their most relaxed state. I prefer reading in the morning as it helps me focus, creates new ideas, and expands the writing scope. Just find a time that works for you, and commit to doing it. Are you reading for wellbeing? Research of those suffering from anxiety and depression has shown positive reductions from reading.

Creative Writing

I’m a real advocate for this process. Why? During Covid-19 I had no job, so I sat down and wrote 4 questions. That was it. These questions turned into a transformational journey that forms part of what you’re reading now. Get yourself a journal today, and start putting thoughts into it. These thoughts can help you unravel why you do the things you do. It may also assist you to stop doing things that make you feel like crap. Writing for the New York Times is not the end goal in performing this action.

There is real learning, purpose, and meaning in understanding what makes you tick. Reviewing what you wrote down over one month can help you gain real clarity and insight. Introspection and self-awareness take real courage. Pouring your thoughts on pages to explore, review, and reflect on can open avenues you maybe never imagined. Start now.

Exercise consistently

There is so much research, evidence, and indisputable facts on the benefits of exercise that I could fill ten encyclopedias. The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) recommends at least 30 minutes of daily activity that increases your heart rate. You don’t need to join the gym. Use the stairs, walk outdoors, hoover the house at speed, garden, do manual labor, or whatever gets you perspiring will increase your quality of life.

I believe in the health benefits– both physical and mental– of walking. I’m a middle-aged man and find the stress less impactful on the joints. I go out daily at 6:15 am when most of the roads are quiet. This allows me to gather thoughts and focus on what I want to do that day. Our minds are usually racing first thing in the morning. Going out at this time allows me to get clear on priorities and gives me real energy to start the day. Walking is free, doesn’t require any equipment, and can be done almost anywhere. What are you waiting for?

Typically, people who exercise start eating better and becoming more productive at work. They smoke less and show more patience with colleagues and family. They use their credit cards less frequently and say they feel less stressed. Exercise is a keystone habit that triggers widespread change. –Charles Duhigg

Take time out

Our lives can become so busy, we can’t find time to just unwind in our thoughts. The benefits of mediation are well known. However, some people find it challenging to quieten their minds. This is a skill that requires discipline, regular practice, and, most importantly, the time required to build this into a daily habit. I count myself in those who find it challenging. How I got around this was trial and error.

The solution?

Every morning when I wake up, I put on 5 minutes of positive music and just breathe normally. No fancy inhale/exhale holds or box breathing is required. Remember: find what works for you and commit to doing it.

Do you believe you could put these 5 actions to use today? They don’t cost any money and only demand one thing from you: consistent effort. Breaking habits run parallel with changing behaviors. Stop bullshitting yourself. Be the change you want to see.

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