We have all been at that point in our lives when we’re wallowing in self-pity, bored to death with the mundanity of life and feeling like a ball and chain is weighing us down with no hope of escape. It can seem like there is no way out, but the reality is that there are opportunities being put in our path every day, even if we are too pre-occupied to notice them.
We are complex creatures and have different ideas of how to live a fulfilled life. For some it could be traveling the world, while for another it might be getting a pay raise, and for someone else it could be facing fears that hold you back. These are all achievable goals if you take a little time to work on an action plan.
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The 80/20 Principle
The 80/20 principle can be applied to many areas of our lives, but when it comes to our personal happiness, it is said the majority of us do activities (20 percent) that account for the majority (80 percent) of our fulfillment and output.
In a nutshell, many people work long hours at a job they hate and go home with little energy to work on the things they love. Alternatively, the ones who live the life of their dreams flip this percentage the other way to spend more energy on the activities they love.
Getting the Job of Your Dreams
The 80/20 rule can be applied to taking steps toward getting the job of your dreams. You might be working full time and feel like you have no time to work toward what you really want to do. Instead of staying stuck in this position, scale down your hours at your day job. Yes, this means taking a pay drop, but you may be able to find areas where you are wasting money on things you don’t need and scale back to achieve your dreams. Take the extra time to study or research what you really want to do, and that dream life will become more attainable.
Traveling the World
Imagine long, sun-kissed days stretched ahead of you with the only worry being which cocktail you will drink next. This isn’t just a rushed, packaged holiday, either — imagine six months of this. While most people keep this daydream firmly locked away in their heads, never believing they can actually make it happen, it is possible. Some employers are evenseeing this as a positive benefit because long-term travel makes for more well-rounded and happier employees.
To make this dream a reality, one option is to take your work with you on the road. With today’s technology, working remotely from an iPad is possible. Talk to your boss about a sabbatical or the possibility of working remotely so you can travel the world.
Parkinson’s Law
Cyril Northcote Parkinson was a famous British historian and author that wrote many articles and books on personal progress. His famous quote states, “Work expands to fill time available for its completion.” It means that if you give yourself two weeks to complete a two hour task, the task will increase in complexity and stress (in our minds).
Don’t let this happen to you. Set realistic time frames to put your life goals into action, and you will soon be enjoying the life you have always wanted.
