3 Steps to Create a Full Life, Not a Busy One
In today’s fast-paced world it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that we need to be busy all the time to be successful. We cram as much as we can into our schedules (and into our kids schedules) trying to achieve more each day.
However, this constant busyness can leave us feeling drained, overwhelmed, underwhelmed, and unfulfilled. Instead of living a full life that brings us real joy, we find ourselves just trying to keep up with a never-ending to-do list.
Creating a full life means taking time to prioritize what’s truly important to us, letting go of things that don’t serve us, and making room for activities and experiences that bring genuine happiness.
Let’s explore ways to shift our focus from busyness to living a full life, so we can enjoy our days and live with purpose.
Step 1: Prioritize what’s truly important
It’s easy to make decisions when you know your values. When our values are honored, we feel like our lives are aligned, going smoothly, and full, not busy. Core values give us insight into our deeply held beliefs.
When our values are not honored, we feel frustrated and even hopeless at times.
Getting very clear about what we value and making decisions aligned with our values is step one to turning “busy” into “full” (and fulfilling).
Here are some values to get us started:
achievement, autonomy, authenticity, beauty, creativity, community, compassion, courage, competence, fame, freedom, gratitude, honesty, humility, humor, excellence, loyalty, kindness, openness, optimism, peace, power, respect, pleasure, poise, professionalism, service, status, spirituality, trustworthiness, wisdom, wealth
Action: Choose 5 and think about where/how these are honored, and where/how they are not. What would it look like to prioritize them in your schedule?
Step 2: Let go of things that aren’t serving you
When we reflect about the things that drain us (make life busy), and the things that give us life (make life full), we can make important decisions about what-not-to-do lists.
Next to our to-do lists, we should start a not-to-do list.
Here’s how to create clarity about what could be let go.
Action: Draw a line down the middle of a blank page. On the left, label the column “What Drained me” and label the column on the right “What Gave me Life”. Think back on the last 7-10 days and start listing what comes up. What could you let go of under the draining list?
To enhance this activity, do it at the end of every week.
Step 3: Make room for activities and experience that bring genuine happiness
Doing things we enjoy cultivates the feelings associated with a full life. We can ease our stress, lift our mood, and expand our minds. Happiness can even help manage chronic pain and improve heart health and quality of our years.
Once we’ve eliminated our drains, we have more room in ourselves and in our schedules.
People who invest in experiences gain a fuller and richer understanding of themselves and are better equipped to handle hard things in life.
What (and who) do you genuinely enjoy?
Sacrificing these things and people will be the last thing you do when living a full life.
Action: Think back to a time in your life when you felt light, free, and genuinely happy. What were you doing? Who was there? How could you recreate that sense of fullness into your life today?
In conclusion, creating a full life is all about being intentional with your time and choosing activities that bring joy and fulfillment. Remember, being busy doesn’t necessarily mean you’re living a full life.
Instead, focus on creating meaningful experiences with three steps:
Prioritize what’s truly important
Let go of things that aren’t serving you
Make room for activities and experience that bring genuine happiness
