UCanMakeItIfYouTry – How To Feel Good About Life Again
What does your typical week look like? Do you find yourself getting up, going to work, coming home, eating dinner, and going to bed just to do it all over again the next morning? Doing the same thing day after day leads to boredom. How can you possibly feel excited about life? These nine tips can get you started:
1 – Take a Personal Inventory
It helps to take some time to reevaluate your life and your goals. Writing down your dreams and hopes allows you to spark excitement. You never know what you will discover.
2 – Rediscover Your Strengths and Talents
Sometimes in the hum-drum of going through the motions, it is easy to lose track of what makes you ‘you.’ Taking time to rediscover your talents and strengths bolsters your confidence. Learning how to incorporate them into your life is an even bigger bonus.
3 – Learn a New Hobby
Hobbies provide the opportunity to learn new skills and engage your brain in something besides your daily routines. They trigger excitement about life. You will also meet new people who open your mind to the vast beauty of the world around you.
4 – Learn Something New
Another way to stimulate your brain and help you get excited about life is by learning something new. A course to learn a new language or how to cook involves continuous growth and development. You will not only learn new skills, but you will also enjoy a sense of fulfillment.
5 – Consider a Job or Career Change
Sometimes a lack of excitement about life results from being in a job or career for too long. It could be time to branch out by finding something new. The transition may be scary, but fear of the unknown can create excitement.
6 – Take a Trip
When was the last time you took a vacation? Maybe it is time to plan a trip to a new city or country. Planning for a trip will spark some happiness and excitement, while the journey will give you fond memories to add excitement to your life.
7 – Have a Conversation with a Stranger
Technology makes it possible to talk with someone halfway across the world. Yet, we struggle to speak with someone sitting next to us on the bus. You never know what new and exciting things you can learn about a person until you converse with them.
8 – Help Others
Now is a great time to volunteer with an organization you care about. Sometimes, you need to take the focus off of your routine life and place it on helping others. Giving to others provides you with an emotional boost and increases your excitement in life.
9 – Seek Outside Help
If you try different things to feel excited about life, but nothing seems to work, you may need assistance from a professional. A therapist can help you process what is going on, even if you have a mental health issue, such as depression or anxiety.
FAST-ACTION STEPS
1 – Make a ‘bucket’ list. Include everything you would love to do before you die, no matter how silly you may think it is, and then choose one to complete this month.
2 – Ask three to five friends what they see as your strengths. You may be surprised at how they perceive your gifts, which may lead you onto new paths.
3 – Look at your calendar and plan a vacation. A long weekend with friends may be exactly what you need to spark some more excitement in your life.
- About the Author
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James Donaldson
Former Owner and Director of The Donaldson Clinic (an outpatient physical therapy clinic)
James completed a 20 year professional basketball career in the spring of 2000. James established The Donaldson Clinic in (January 1990 – 2018) (shortly after a career threatening knee injury) with an idea that he would eventually become a physical therapist. He is a strong advocate for Women & Minority owned businesses and is very involved with various Chambers of Commerce. He understands what it takes to sustain a strong business environment that is conducive to the success of businesses overall.
James is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the N.B.A. with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks and Utah Jazz. He also played for several in Spain, Italy and Greece of the European Leagues plus toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an N.B.A. All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac – 10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame.
He now devotes the majority of his time to various community activities, and toward the Gift of Life Foundation, speaking on mental health awareness and suicide prevention. James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, youth groups and is the author of the published “Standing Above the Crowd” of which you can learn more about at www.standingabovethecrowd.com and is available for sale now.
In 2021, James published Celebrating Your Gift of Life: From the Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy. www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com
James is a 40+ year resident of Seattle. He believes in being a role model of success and professionalism for the scores of young people that he devotes so much of his time to. He currently serves on several Boards and/or committees and is a member of many organizations. (Please see complete listing on back)
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win – Win” environment for everyone involved, and being the best he can be!
