\”Ho-Hum Crashers\” for your Life !

“You need a “ho hum crasher”!” My husband, who is an experienced presenter, advised me after looking at my material. He went on to explain that a” ho hum crasher” is something that adds a spark to your presentation, that elevates it beyond

boring!

I started thinking about applying the idea of a “ho hum crasher” to clients’ concerns that their lives were not what they had hoped. I came up with a few ways to inject some passion into your life and crash “ho hum” out of your life!

1) “Do it now!” , W. Clement Stone

Enjoy today. Today is the only day we can be sure of. If there is something you want to do, make it happen, now.

2) Turn off the TV and the Internet!

How many hours do we spend in front of those screens? Moderate your use and find other things to do. Get outside into nature.

3) Rediscover what is important.

There isn’t the time to do everything so make time for the things that are meaningful to you; that bring you energy and joy. Make a list of everything that is important to you. Add many of the things you want to do in life; those things you are always saying “someday I am going to do this”. Then cut the list down to 5 things. This is your core list. Focus on these things and make time for them. This might mean that sometimes a chore doesn’t get done or it gets done in a way that is “good enough”.

4) Learn new skills.

Upgrade yourself constantly! It is satisfying and gratifying to constantly move forward instead of standing still.

5) Break out of ruts.

Are you a creature of habit? I am remembering the old Seinfeld episode where George is in a rut and is advised to “do the opposite”. He changes his seat in the diner and this creates

a seismic shift in his life! Take a different route to work, listen to music instead of talk radio. Get a new perspective.

6) Take a break from watching the news.

This can seem hard at first, if you are a news junkie (I admit I am!),but it helps you rebalance your perspective. Try to remember that for every sensational, negative story there are many more stories about unsung heroes

who commit great, compassionate, acts daily!

7) Do nothing.

In addition to doing more things we enjoy, there is value in doing nothing as well. Learn how to be still, to be quiet.

8) Become interested in others. “You can

make more friends in two months by becoming more interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get people interested in you.” Dale Carnegie

Volunteer, talk to old people, chit chat with people in the checkout line at the grocery store. Become truly curious about someone else’s “story’.

9) Be in the moment.

Instead of thinking about things you need to do next, focus on what you are doing now. Feel your feet on the ground, see the sights, hear the sounds around you, smell the smells. Learning to be mindful takes practice but the results are worth it.

10) Don’t take yourself

so seriously.

There is photo of Albert Einstein sitting on his porch wearing big, fuzzy bunny slippers! This image speaks to me about our need to lighten up! If the guy who discovered the theory of relativity can have a sense of humor about himself, we sure can.

So, live today with passion and gusto! It’s the one day you are sure you are going to have. Don’t let it pass you by! I love this quote from a poster featuring Wallace, the pit bull, a rescue dog who became a Frisbee dog champion and then fought a long battle with cancer: “In life you either do or you don’t. I did!”