So many of us live in a world of 'if onlys'. We're consumed by 'what if's' and what seems like an endless list of changes and desires we feel will make us more satisfied. We can envisage things being better - and yet we find it maddeningly difficult to get started. Taking the first step towards change appears to be surprisingly tricky. We can quickly lose heart and give up. All too often, before we even get started.
Starting on the track to fulfilment – there’s no time like the present
So how to get going on the path to greater fulfilment? Experian has worked on an online guide with the School of Life to explore the deeper behavioural reasons that can stop us from taking a First Step towards greater fulfilment and provide practical tips to overcome them. John-Paul Flintoff, Life Coach and School of Life faculty member gives his tips for overcoming apathy and making your 'if onlys' a reality.
1.Make a plan and stick to it
Three in five Britons decided 2016 would be the year they'd make a positive change to feel more fulfilled in life. But while we may have started with the best of intentions, only a third of us followed through and took that important first step to achieving what we set out to do, according to research from Experian. A long-term plan to fulfilment is a good thing to have, but focusing on smaller, more manageable goals is the place to start. If you are feeling less fulfilled today, look at small steps that take you on the right path. What can you do in the next month towards that goal? Or the next week? Or even the coming 24 hours? It needn't be something huge - just a start. If you want to travel, do it. If eating a wonderful meal will help you feel more fulfilled, cook and eat that meal. Start small and work up to something bigger.
2.Take control by deciding what you want
For many, a happy and fulfilled life is linked to many factors, whether it be finding a partner, changing career or learning a new language. But it can be daunting and overwhelming to bring all these elements together. Start by choosing the things you can change immediately and focus on working towards the bigger goal. Having a top three list to hone in on will help the whole process feel far more achievable.
3.Voice what you want
It may seem tentative, but the act of talking about making a change in itself can make you more positive. Rather than focusing on the bad and what hasn't gone your way, actively talking about changes you want to make and having positive conversations about the future can create a great starting point for change. Even better, write your goals down. Once it's there in black and white for all to see, you'd be surprised how much of a motivator it can be.
4.Take control of your finances
Many of us feel money is what's holding many back from living more fulfilled lives. 42% of those who had life changes on the agenda failed to make the changes due to money issues. More than a quarter (26%) said their finances are out of control and more than half (51%) felt they would be happier if they had better control of their money. Money can be a prime catalyst for greater satisfaction. Yet often it's not the amount we earn that holds us back, but what we do with the money we have and the level of control we feel. In your financial life, change can start with something as simple as learning your credit score. It's like a temperature check for your finances, which can help you take the next steps to gaining control. Even if you have struggled managing money in the past, it's never too late to make a change, so take the first step and check it. From there you can begin to plan for a better and less stressful financial future with confidence.
5.Push yourself more
More than half of Brits (54%) say they don't feel like they're pushing or challenging themselves while just below this (42%) say they are not using their brain on a daily basis. While a person might not be able to change their career immediately, they can take steps to stretch themselves by reading more or picking up a hobby. Use your free time to do something more stimulating and fulfilling - just think how satisfied you would feel if you spent just a bit of your weekly TV time learning something new or planning for the future. Put yourself out there and commit to a change, no matter how big or small. Then break it down into small steps. What has to happen first?Taking a first step is the antidote to being overwhelmed. It starts us moving and can be far more satisfying than we imagine. Over time, these small steps can carry us into the future that we hope one day to inhabit - and when we know we are actively moving in a direction we chose ourselves we can feel fulfilled even before we actually "arrive".
By JP Flintoff from the School of Life
Tagged in Lifestyle