How to Do What You Enjoy

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Do you do what you enjoy? It seems like this would be an obvious thing to do, but it is amazing how many people spend their time doing things that they don't like doing. Here are some tips that have helped me to do more of what I enjoy in life.

Know That You Always Have a Choice

It may seem that you have to do certain things, but we never "have to" — we choose to. Take some time to assess your life and have a look to see if you are doing things you don't enjoy. If you are, what can you do to change this? Can you delegate or ask for help? Maybe you feel obliged. Start being honest with yourself and really choose the things you do.

Say No

Maybe you need to say No to some requests. Many people are scared to say no, but who says you have to say yes all the time? Start building your "no" muscle and valuing your time. When someone asks you to do something, take the time to assess if it is really going to work for you before you agree to it. Asking if you can get back to them gives you the time to have a look at what they have asked of you. This doesn't mean that you can't help someone or that you always say no, but by being honest, you will enjoy what you do say yes to and leave more space in your life for what you really enjoy.

Be Clear

It may be that you need to get clear about what it is you enjoy. Sometimes we lose ourselves a little with the busyness of our day-to-day lives or find that what we enjoyed five years ago isn't the same as what we enjoy now. Pay attention and start getting clear about what it is you actually enjoy doing. Your feelings are a great guide for this.

Try New Things

Trying new things is a great way to expand your horizons and find new things to enjoy. I had never blogged until just over a year ago, but through needing a website for my business, I tried it out and consequently found something else I really love doing. Opening yourself up to new experiences and trying them for yourself helps you to grow as a person, as well as find new pastimes.

Believe You Deserve It

Through my coaching work, I have found that on some level many people don't feel they deserve to have or enjoy good things. Start to notice if you have some internal resistance to the idea of enjoying your life. Life doesn't have to be hard work. Start catching unhelpful beliefs, then replace them with more life-affirming ones.

Slow Down

If your schedule is always packed with things you need to do, and there is no time to really do what you enjoy (let alone find out what that is if you have forgotten), slow down and start to say no. Practice enjoying the small details of life. Savor that cup of tea on your break, for example, rather than gulping it down.

Spend Less

You may work to live or live to work. Either way, if you spend less, you could be able to work less — leaving more time to do other things you enjoy. Most people could cut their spending to some degree. A little foresight and saving can help you slow down and free up time to enjoy life in your own way.

Be Easily Pleased

Have you ever noticed that some people enjoy everything in life, whereas others can have fantastic things come their way but find fault with them? Be someone in the first group of people — be easily pleased. Be appreciative and grateful and try and see the good rather than what is missing. What you focus on grows, so focus on your blessings.

Change Your Perspective

There are, of course, some things in life that may be necessary in your life but not particularly enjoyable. Cleaning the bathroom is one of those things for me. I now practice being in the moment while I am doing it, and have found this change of perspective usually means I do actually find it enjoyable. Putting on some music and appreciating how good it looks when it's done also helps. If you can't change a situation, try to see if you can change how you look at it.

Remember that life is too short to be constantly doing things you don't enjoy. Our day-to-day actions make up our lives. Choose wisely and start following your bliss today, one step at a time.

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