Knowing and Doing

DOING WHAT WE LOVE

We only have a short time on this planet. There's no avoiding that fact. There's no guarantee that we'll be here tomorrow either - let alone in 20 years time. The years are ticking by fast and there's no moment like the present to enjoy the things we live for.

We all have to do stuff that we don't really like doing - but we need to know what those things are that we do enjoy. That way we have something available on hand when we need it the most.

Identify The Stressors
Make a list of all the things we struggle with - anything that we get stressed or upset doing. Write down in a list. For example:

- Being around negativity
- Not having enough sleep
- Being told what to do
- Not having order/efficiency
- Having too much order to the point of obsessiveness
- Not being able to finish a task
- Others not doing a task as well as liked
- Doing something in conflict with our moral core

Identify What We Live For
Again make a list of the things that make us happy - things that we enjoy. Keep everything in a place where it can be accessed. I use my 'Notes' app on the iPhone but there are plenty of alternatives.

- Staying healthy
- Learning

- Reading
- Having fun
- Exploring
- Seeing Mum & Dad as much as possible

- Spending time with family
- Having someone to share life with

- Having meaningful work 

- Self Development

- Challenging myself

- Yoga

- Riding a bike

- Being in nature

- Experiencing the sublime: Mountains and the sea

- Getting space/time alone to appreciate life

Keep refreshing yourself with the list on a regular basis. Then make amends to avoid the stressors and do more of the things you love. Choose life!

Life Is Short

WHERE DID IT GO?

It's been a busy day for me and yet I've barely completed what I set out to get done today. Where did the time go? Where did the weekend go and where is the year going for that matter? Time is flying by. It's late so I'll keep this one short for today. Someone I knew well died at 2.40pm today. She was just over 40 years old. That's really not a long enough life and because it came from nowhere, it reinforces something we should be aware of each day - our mortality. 

It's really starting to hit home how short life is - and how short quality life can be too. Just yesterday I talked with a good friend about our ailments and the onset of arthritis creeping in and failing eyesight.

If we're fit and able, we need to make the most of our time now while we can still do the things we enjoy doing. We should aim to do more with our lives and keep a reminder to hand as the great scholars did - something that clearly defines our short time on this planet so we waste time no more.

RIP PIP. 

Think it - Do it

MAKE IT HAPPEN

How many times have you:

– Forgotten to call someone back

– Left something important behind 

– Missed out on something because you meant to put it in your bag 

– Missed a deadline
– Forgotten to jot something down or set a reminder to do it

Countless times I bet. Has it been because you've been in the middle of doing something else? Likely. Maybe that other thing was more important or fun at the time? Or was it simply because you were being inefficient or worse, lazy? Whichever - you've missed out on something good - something that was going to benefit you in some way, because you didn't do what needed to be done. It's very easy to make the mistake of putting off something until later. I've learned the hard way and that's why I've changed for the better. Ever since making this change, I've experienced countless successes where I can say I've had what I needed because I've stuck fast to a very simple rule. 

Think it - do it

As it comes to mind - grab a pen and write it on the back of your hand - or take out your phone and set a note/reminder. Even better, If you have an iPhone, take a screen grab of the note and save it to your lock screen. There are times when a note will do the trick - but if it's something that's within your grasp - ie. Getting something out of a cupboard to stick in your bag - like a passport. Do it immediately. If it's a quick and easy job - even though it disrupts what you're currently doing - slot it in and do it now while it's in your mind. If it's going to hold you up and miss a deadline or something that requires a bit more time to do - there's another rule...

The 2-minute rule

If something can be fixed, prepped/lined-up or at the least, a reminder easily set for a better time to do the task at hand - and it's a '2 minute job' - do it. For anything longer, the reminder itself fits in the 2-minute window. Do it. As you think it - do it. You may be in the middle of dinner or in a deep and meaningful conversation. Do it. If you just say 'Think it - do it' - if anyone asks why you're breaking the chat or seemingly preoccupied with your phone/notebook - pass on the rule so they can benefit too! Otherwise, just excuse yourself and quickly go somewhere out of the way where nobody can see you.

It's simple
You just need a pen/pencil and paper/notebook - or if you're tech-minded - do as I do and keep an iPad or an iPhone (or equivalent) with the notes app accessible in an easy place - ready for when the moment comes. Sometimes the moment arises when I'm in the middle of watching a film, having dinner, in conversation, driving (use dictation) or even in the middle of the night half asleep - I still jot down that reminder, note, bit of inspiration where it's ready to make good of when it comes - because thoughts are just thoughts at the end of the day and they can come and go if not captured.