What Keeps You Awake at Night?

Not Having a Full Life?

“Life has no limitations, except the ones you make.” — Les Brown

How many of us lie awake at night thinking about our lives and what we have done, but more so what we haven’t done?

There is much regret and wondering, “What if”. What if I had only taken that dream job? What if I had gone to a different college? What if I married someone other than who I did? What if, what if, what if?

It gnaws at us. While things are mostly good, there is a nagging feeling that somehow we are or have missed out on things and our life is not complete or full

“The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.” ~ Louis E. Boone

So what is standing in our way?

Chances are good the answer is ourselves. There are many pieces written on having a full life. These seem to boil down to these five things.

Define Your Own Happiness

If you want to be truly fulfilled, define yourself on your own terms, not anyone else’s. I have been told in the Indian culture it is considered an insult not to take a person’s advice. Well, what happens when 10 different people each give you different advice? Even if you take one’s, you will insult the other nine.

Plus, that is their opinion, not yours. No one can decide better what is right for you other than you. As a consultant, I tell clients that they run their business, not me. It is up to them to make the decisions and take the actions necessary and not turn them over to an outsider such as myself. If that is true in business, it should certainly be in our personal lives.

Only you can decide what makes you happy. Seeking approval or validation from others will only stir feelings of inadequacy and pressure, hindering you from living and experiencing life by your rules. Your happiness and satisfaction is found from within, not from without. .

Improve Yourself a Little Bit Every Day

In business, there is the concept of Continuous Improvement. It means to make small changes each day that over time that ultimately add up to large improvements. The same should be true in our daily lives. Each day we should make some small change that over time will make a big difference.

No one loses 100 pounds overnight unless they do something drastic, like surgery. Even that may have some undesirable consequences. But losing a pound a week or five pounds in a month or two, over time will get you to where you want to be.

Working to be a better version of yourself will lead to better and more positive things. Regularly working on your growth can and will allow you to accomplish bigger goals.

Take Good Care of Your Body

Too many people take their bodies for granted. Being kinder to your body should not take much effort, either. By showing your body the care it needs, you can ensure better health and a fuller life.

Taking care of your body does not just improve your physical, but also your mental and emotional wellbeing. When you keep your body in shape and treat it with respect, you can devote more energy to the important things and experience less stress.

If you are feeling tired after a day’s work or are on the edge of burnout take a break and relax. Consume beverages such as coffee and alcohol in moderation. Get a good night’s sleep as often as you can. And finally, visit your doctor for regular checkups.

Set Goals and Work to Achieve Them

Living life to the fullest can also mean accomplishing the things that you have always wanted to do. List the goals you want to achieve and a plan with steps on how to achieve them.

Writing down your dreams and goals is one thing, but it’s another to ensure actively that they are within your reach. Whatever your goal is, you can achieve it if and when you work hard for it.

Prioritize What Matters

There are times when we get caught up or distracted by unimportant things. Decide what or who matters to you and prioritize them. Whether your career matters to you or if you seek greater work-life balance, you must decide how to achieve these while avoiding frustration and resentment. It’s the same thing with people that matter. Knowing who is important to you prevents the risk of neglecting or disregarding them.

Make the most out of your life by celebrating living. You can do that if you take care of your total physical, mental and emotional, social, and financial wellbeing. And remember:

“Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can.” ~ Danny Kaye