Simple Things That Make Me Happier

Let’s start with some thoughts – 

I have become increasingly frustrated with myself 

I lack any progress.

I lack of focus in all areas of my life. 

I am feeling overwhelmed, confused, and essentially getting nowhere.

I need to fix this.

I want to attain some level of success in my life and I am not going to get there by continuing like this.

I need to find my focus, and I need to stick to it.

I need to find my passion, and I need to pursue it.

I need to find what makes me happy, and I need to do it.

Not random ones, but these exact ones were mine at some point. And don’t fret, this will not be a ranting post. However, something tells me, you have also felt / heard the above ones, in your head as well.

Now that we know where we are, how did I quiet those voices in head? I was quite amused when I learnt the answer is rather easy.

Here are five simple things that has made me achieve my goals and become better. And made me a happier soul!

Fix The Food

I stick to my easting & fasting windows – a good 14-18 hours fasting between meals. To make is easier, I eat only once in 24 hours cycle. I stay conscious of what I consume, and adapt based on my “gut feelings” – very literally in this case!

I am not going to tell you about carbs or fats or protein, and I am not qualified to do so. Nor do I personally track these. Disciplined eating keeps my weight healthy and the energy levels optimal. 

Of course, I too like to savour once in a while a good biryani or a glass of single malt / wine. 

Meditate The Mind; Move The Body

I can’t emphasise enough how much just sitting quietly, doing absolutely nothing, has made me better. Our minds are essentially frantic monkeys – it has to hop to next branch, even before the it barely knows the current one.

A wise man has said well, great minds are formed in solitude.

Move as much, move when you can, just move. Movement is one of our very primal abilities – we evolved all while either chasing the prey or being chased by the predator.

I am not pedantic about deadlifting your bodyweight or run a marathon or track your VO2 max – though certainly these are great numbers to have. A regular, simple walk around the neighbourhood is good enough; and a key to even long-term good health.

One By One, All Gets Done

I do single-tasking – one thing at a time. That’s all I am ready, may be capable of as well, to purpose my energy on. I used to multi-task, do several things at one time time. the result was a little bit of each task, a lot of half-done projects and little progress. 

With single focus, I can dedicate my attention to what I’m doing, be it work, housekeeping, writing, reading, cooking, shopping, whatever. And I can give it my best, undivided. I can devote time and energy at hand and get it done well.

And I get more satisfaction from completing a task when I give it my undivided attention.

Listen To One Master At A Time

Who doesn’t love a little motivational pep-talk? Or a good advice from the stalwarts of the industry.

My bookshelves, podcast & playlists were just full of gurus, that I love devouring on. Endless loops of trying to learn, made me confused and dazed. It was so overwhelming with all the to-dos; I just needed a break.

Now, I just focus on one person’s content at a time. I delve deep, take on board the lessons I connect with and neglect the ones I don’t.

I’ll always have an insatiable appetite for learning, but I’m now more aware of the quality, not just the quantity of what I consume.

What Feels Good

Ultimately, isn’t everything about we need to feel good? It may just be doing something now which will make me feel good as much as it can be not doing anything because I will feel crap about it later.

My life’s perennial decision making question – 

And the answer better be yes! 

Look, what so ever you want to do and achieve in life, a simple search over internet can give you all the information you will ever need. But then, it is so so easy to complicate things; to be confused by all the conflicting strategies and tools.

Make simple routines, just take one next step. Start with a one task, one area in life. Make one small change at a time. Keep experimenting until you find what works for you!

A simple life of love, laughter and freedom is true success.

Now back to you!