Want to make the daily routine less mundane? A change of scenery may be just what's needed. Seeing your day-to-day life differently not only improves your life. It enhances the perspectives of those around you, providing a sense of renewed purpose. Want to wake up and race to work? Feel energized and inspired to dive more deeply into tasks that are rote? Unfortunately, most people don't take the steps necessary to see school differently. It's not easy to do, because we convince ourselves we're busy, when really, we don't know where to start.
It's easier to stay the same and do the same.
A few reasons why we don't learn to see life differently or make progress.
We keep to our day-to-day, month-to-month, and year-to-year routines.
We become comfortable with the idea that what seems to work, works.
It requires an open mind, and a willingness to take risks, make mistakes, and fail.
It requires a subtle, yet crucial perspective shift: from the inside out, to the outside, in.
The good news? This is not as difficult as it first may seem. Anyone willing to put in the effort can do this, overcoming the challenge of not being able to see things differently.
Here's how, step by step:
Step 1: Travel a different route to the usual destination.
Routines are good when it comes to health and wellness, but may prove to be stale in other instances. For example, a mindful drive along the ocean is good for one's soul. But it's not quite as rewarding if you're zoning out or not taking into consideration the person driving behind your car moving at 20 miles per hour. Varying the path towards the usual destination adds perspective and value, and is appreciated by those there to enjoy their rides as well.
Step 2: Interact and collaborate with those you meet along the way.
We mistakenly think that those who we see regularly are always our best sources for inspiration and validation. This is a mistake, a trap for seeing and doing the same things, the same ways. Visiting an old friend or neighbor is comfortable, the familiarity often reinforcing the routines we'd prefer to keep. This is a mistake people commonly make, because it feels good and it validates our desire to stay the same, to think the same. As tempting as this is, it should be avoided, because it will have the opposite effect we're intending to achieve, pulling us farther away from progress and fulfillment.
Step 3: Invest time reflecting on what you're doing and what's working.
This is easier than you may, at first, think. The key is, as you travel different routes and meet different people, you'll need to create time and space to reflect. As you progress and interact with others, notice what you're doing differently and the changes that accompany these intentional yet subtle deviations. Continuing along this trajectory, one drive at a time, one conversation at a time, will help you grow. It may not happen on the first, then tenth, or the hundredth, by all of the sudden, you will one day find yourself a bit more fulfilled, and wondering, why you all of the sudden see school differently.