I’m like most people in that I think a lot about what I ‘should’ be doing. Either by virtue of my age (how we naturally compare ourselves to our peers) or things I expect of myself in my own mind.

It’s a difficult way to live as often the ‘should do’s’ might not be what we really want in our lives. Perhaps we no longer know what we really want!

Steve Jobs said “live every day as if it’s your last because one day you’ll be right”. We hear this sentiment a lot but how many of us REALLY hear it? Most of us think about what we ‘don’t want’ or ‘should do’. But imagine daydreaming about all the things you could do, if you really wanted.

Last year, to celebrate turning 30, I decided to create a ’30th list’ of 30 things I really wanted to do. Just for me to focus on what I really wanted. The things on it weren’t all big (some were, like visiting Niagara Falls) but all meant something to me. I’d always wanted to try clay pigeon shooting, a zip slide, see a panda, learn to meditate, catch up with old friends…lots of things on there. Of course, there were  no consequences if I didn’t do everything…but I wanted to. And even the act of thinking about what you DO want in life opens up new ideas and feels great! 30 was a big commitment so this year I’m doing something a bit less formal and aiming to do something I really want to do once a month.

I try to do them along with other people which makes it even more positive an experience. If you haven’t tried anything like this before I’d recommend picking and planning just one thing to look forward to. A new experience brings a freshness like nothing else and might just inspire you on to more!