Wanna love your life just a little bit more?
Years ago, I worked with a fantastic client who, in addition to holding a global position at a top law firm, set a clear goal for herself: To love her life. For her, that goal set the bar. As she made decisions, she asked herself: Will saying yes make me love my life a little bit more?
Then, about a month ago, a woman I've known for years on and off the coaching court, sent me a compilation of writings she'd collected over the course of the year that had struck a deep chord for her. The articles are a beautiful grouping of short and long, funny and poignant, grounded and tech-forward (think a eulogy written by ChatGPT). I consider myself lucky to be among her pool of recipients and truly enjoy reading through the works she includes. This year this one, 100 Ways To Slightly Improve Your Life Without Really Trying from The Guardian, replete with British humor and dripping with joy, was my favorite.
There are the ones that make me laugh:
#1 Exercise on a Monday night (nothing fun happens on a Monday night).
#10 Always bring ice to house parties (there's never enough).
#30 Be polite to rude strangers -- it's oddly thrilling.
There are the unquestionably practical ones:
#19 Take a photo of the tag you are given when leaving your coat in a cloakroom.
#53 Learn the basics of repairing your clothes.
#75 Keep your keys in the same place. (Members of my household, hush!)
And then there are the ones that really made me stop and think:
#25 Look closely.
#28 Always be willing to miss the next train.
#66 Don't save things for "best" -- wear them, enjoy them. (This applies far beyond clothes in my book.)
Over the past week, I've had the pleasure of incorporating this piece into three different workshops, asking participants to highlight the handful of items that really resonate for them, and then to write a few of their own. The responses were priceless.
Now it's your turn.
Here's to loving your life even more!
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