12 ways to make life better. Instantly.

I’ve had one of those weeks.

A few small things went wrong that snowballed into bigger things, and a trip I’d been looking forward to next week turned out to be happening.. this week. Which tells you all you need to know about how busy I’ve been. 

I wrote this for myself, a while ago. But it seemed a good time to share it with you. If you’re running on empty, doing even one or two of the things below will help.

Do them all regularly, and I guarantee you’ll be happier, possibly healthier – and more productive.

12 steps to a juicy, creative life

1. Make regular time for doing the thing that makes you.. more you. And protect that time, fiercely. For me, that’s writing. What is it for you?
2. Get outside and move. As often as possible.
3. Decide what ‘enough’ looks like, for you. You’ll never clear your to-do list, and even if you do, it will fill back up almost instantly. Choose what’s most important, what will get you closer to the life and the work you want. Do that. Then take a breather, and decide if you have enough left in the tank to do the next thing. 
4. Accept that you’ll never, ever get on top of all the information coming at you, either. Delete unread newsletters. Edit your podcasts, courses, that big pile of worthy books that you’re never going to read, without guilt. Trust that you’ll be able to find what you need, when you want or need it. 
5. Turn off all notifications. Have nothing pinging for your attention.
6. Talent is over-rated. Perfect is impossible. Just show up, consistently, and do the work. Do the reps, and you’ll get better at it. 
7. Call someone you love. Connect with someone who makes you laugh. Help someone, without expecting anything in return. Make this a daily practice. 
8. Almost everything is better with music. 
9. Stop judging yourself or others. Get curious instead. It changes everything. 
10. Read more. It’s an escape, an education, a superpower. 
11. Smile! It changes how you feel. And how others react to you. 
12. That thing you’ve been wanting to do? Stop waiting for the right time, the perfect conditions. Start it now. Even if it’s just one baby step.

Anything you’d add to this list?

If so, please share it in the comments.

Now I’m off to the airport for a much-needed short break. I’ll be back next week with a more usual post about creative work!