Have you noticed that people seem to always be in a rush? We live in a unique time in history where we, as a species, enjoy less toil in everyday life.  We have automated countless things from cooking, shopping, and driving, to global communication and the numerous tasks in the work place. Advances in technology have given us so many conveniences, yet despite all of them, we constantly feel there just aren’t enough hours in the day! We rush through traffic to get to work.  We rush through our workday to complete our to-do list. We rush through traffic again to get home.  Then, when we should slow down to enjoy family time, we rush through dinner, homework, baths, etc., only to start the frenzy all over again tomorrow. This state of perpetual busyness can have adverse effects on our mental and physical health.  It’s vital to regularly slow down, breathe deeply, quiet your inner-chatter, and take a moment to simply…be.  

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

Nothing can refocus and refresh quite like a devoted moment of gratitude.  When is the last time you stepped back and gave thanks for all the blessings in your life? It’s easy to take things for granted or even forget about them when you are rushing all the time. Slow down and take a moment to think:  

• I’m thankful that every day is another opportunity to improve myself.
• I’m thankful that I have a roof over my head, food on my table, a family that loves me.
• I’m thankful to have friends who care about me.
• I’m thankful to be healthy.
• I’m thankful for the ability to go into any grocery store to purchase food for myself and my family.
• I’m thankful for employment so I can earn wages for myself and my family.
• I’m thankful that the only obstacle to my future is myself.

The next time you are feeling down or overwhelmed, grab a notebook and make a list of the many things that you are thankful for. You might just find you have more reasons to be happy than sad.

LET GO OF REGRETS

Everyone has something in their past they regret. Whether it’s a lost love, a job not taken, or a goodbye not spoken in time, regret can pulse in our conscience like a toothache. When we dwell on regrets, we are choosing to relive an unchangeable past. We are replaying a broken narrative time and again in our head, and even though it is long gone, the sting of it still occupies our thoughts.  

The problem is that we identify regret as a lost opportunity. We take these failures on as our stolen identity, a wasted chance, the person we should have been. Then we torture ourselves with that idealized image of what could have been. Finding closure for regrets means letting go once and for all of that lost self or missed opportunity. It’s accepting our mistakes by understanding what happened and integrating that experience into the understanding of who we are today. This forces us to take responsibility for our past, and learn from it so we don’t repeat it.

THINK LESS. DO MORE.

It’s normal for people to struggle with balancing thought and action. We can often spend more time thinking about something than we actually spend doing it.  For simple tasks, like calling a friend, experts agree that the most effective way to achieve the right balance is by using the 20/80 rule:  spend 20% of the time thinking about it, and 80% of the time doing it. Not only will this help complete the action, but it also gives a quick sense of accomplishment.  

With respect to goals, projects, and other long-term items, it's easy to get stuck too long in the thinking and planning phase. In the case of longer tasks, it’s a flip:  use the 80/20 rule. For example, you want to move out of your apartment and buy a home. You may need to pay off some bills, save for a down payment, and get your credit score in check.  Then 80% of your time is spent in the planning phase, and 20% in doing phase. When you can separate your goals into these categories, you will be surprised at what you can accomplish, and often in less time!

MARCH TO THE BEAT OF YOUR OWN DRUM

Rather than second-guessing yourself at every turn, be assured of who you are. Showing confidence in yourself and your decisions not only protects your own happiness, but also projects to others that you know what you are doing. 

It’s important to be yourself and let that personality shine….often. Maybe it’s walking around the house naked, taking a long hot bath with a glass of wine, singing obnoxiously while dancing with your pet, or reading graphic novels while watching the Star Wars trilogy, do whatever it takes to be the truest form of YOU that you can be. It’s this personal time that allows you to recharge your batteries, which allows your outer self to be more effective. No matter how weird you are, embrace it! Each person is unique.  Appreciate your own weirdness and let it out!

ENJOY THE LITTLE THINGS

To really enjoy life we need to pay attention to the little things and celebrate small accomplishments more. Many times we forget to appreciate the plethora of little things and little moments that pass us on a daily basis:  the smell of fresh brewed coffee, fresh baked bread, or fresh cut grass. The feel of the wind brushing across a field, the trees, your face. Watching how nature changes with the seasons, the warm sun shining on your skin in summer, or snuggling with a loved one under a blanket in winter. The joy of a phone call with a friend or a loved family member. A good meal. Watching someone enjoying your favorite movie, musical or song. Appreciating these moments changes our perspective and restores our peace.  

Choose today to dwell on things of gratitude.  Embrace a life free of past regrets, and move forward with confidence through your daily routine.  March to the beat of your own drum and recognize the moments of positivity happening all around you.  These simple changes in your focus will elevate your mood and lead to a more positive outlook on life, which will in turn make life more enjoyable.  And remember the words of the great 1980’s philosopher, Ferris Bueller:  “Life moves pretty fast.  If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”  

About Lofton: Founded in 1979, Lofton Services offers clients the best of all worlds. We provide the responsive, personal service and flexibility of a small local firm while having the technology, resources, and infrastructure to deliver the benefits of the biggest players in our industry. Lofton Staffing can deliver the right people, with the right skills, right when you need them. Contact us today.