Your Future Awaits You….

My son just graduated from high school.  As a college instructor, I deal with students embarking on graduation on a regular basis.  Having my own son graduating certainly brings a different perspective.  I am excited for him as he has so much ahead of him.  I remember all of the “new” things that college and young adulthood brought with it and I want him to take advantage of similar experiences.

Somehow, it seems that the excitement dwindles as we begin to get bogged down with the everyday pressures and demands.  How can we keep that fire ignited?  Is it possible for us to look at each day as a graduation from the previous?  I mean really, did the opportunities after graduation suddenly appear on graduation day?  No, we spent each day working toward what we expected for our future.  Maybe a quick paradigm switch can boost our level of enthusiasm and we can treat each day like a new beginning.

Here are a few tips to “motivate” you into feeling as if the future is yours for the taking:

1)       Send a THANK YOU to someone who encourages you to be your best self– similar to graduation, we thank those that gifted us and inspired us along our journey.

2)      Fill out an APPLICATION or VOLUNTEER for something – this makes you realize what you have accomplished and how qualified you are as a leader.

3)      READ a book, blog or subscribe to a magazine outside of your current interests – this make you learn about new things, see different worlds and broaden your interests.

4)      RECONNECT with an old classmate, co-worker or friend that you have lost touch with – discuss what you have been doing since you last visited and ask about what they have been up to.  This always seems to motivate when you are “comparing” successes and discussing achievements.

5)      Make a LIST of things that you want to do, but just don’t have time or resources – put the list somewhere that you can access it and when you do have time, pick one thing and do it.  Be sure to cross it off your list so that each time you revisit it, you have a sense of accomplishment.

Do some or all of these things on a regular basis.  Just think… if you sent a thank you note each week to a different person that has had an impact on you that is 52 different connections you have made, 52 expressions of appreciation and 52 relationships you have reinforced.  Imagine the positivity that might have on you and each person you reach out to!

How do you stay enthused and keep looking for the “new” chances for your future?  What was one of the most inspiring things that you remember when you graduated from high school, college, or any other program or organization?

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