Do you feel like you’re in a rut lately? That your life has become unexciting and dull?
You can find success and happiness by meeting certain needs that are fundamental to all human beings. Renowned coach and speaker Tony Robbins teaches the 6 human needs, and they are certainty, variety, significance, love and connection, growth, and contribution. Our ability to recognize and manage our needs is the key to rapid change and positive results in our lives.
Let’s focus on certainty and variety. Certainty and variety work with each other; if there is too much certainty, you may begin to crave some change and variety.
How much variety – or spice – do you have in your life? Is your routine becoming too monotonous?
Many of us working professionals have routines, we need routines to get things done and to stay productive. But sometimes that stability and predictability of a routine becomes too comfortable, and lasts too long – it becomes boring and you just aren’t having any fun. Or, if really out of balance, you may be meeting that need for certainty in an unhealthy way or bad habit.
This past weekend I had family visiting from out of town. We only see each other once or twice a year, and visits are usually jam-packed with activities. This weekend was no different: US National Whitewater Center for zip-lining, hiking, and enjoying live music at their Fall Festival; Carolina Panthers football game against the New York Giants; golfing range; meals out at new restaurants.
Lots of variety and not the typical relaxing, low-key weekend I’m used to. I welcomed the change and had a blast – it was exactly what I needed.
The football game was especially exciting, not just because of the high emotions during this very close game that either team could have won in the last seconds, or because of the energy of the crowd, and the pumping music, but the entire experience was new for all of us. It was entertaining, exciting and different.
I can’t remember the last time I jumped up with my arms in the air, high-fiving strangers sitting next to me, and cheering like it was my job. Dancing around in my seat to the music, laughing at the antics of fans caught on camera and projected onto the high-definition video boards, and the feeling of pride and welling of tears and emotion while listening to the singing of the national anthem as fireworks shot overhead – what an experience to share with thousands of others! The energy in that stadium was palpable, for lasted for more than 3 hours.
We talked to so many different people walking to the stadium, in the stadium, even after the game at a restaurant – the fact that we wore different team shirts and hats, me supporting Carolina and my family wearing New York Giants, really brought out the good-natured comments from others and we happily joined right in.
In my Corporate days I remember going weeks and months doing the same old things. Working too many hours during the week, and sometimes over the weekend, feeling exhausted and spending any free time doing the necessary things like laundry, cleaning, cooking, and shopping. Nothing fun, no variety. No wonder I was miserable.
Now, I intentionally look for new things to try and in addition to local weekend events and activities, I highly recommend travel. Traveling is a great way to put some variety into your life, especially if you’ll be going to a new locale, meeting new people, and experiencing a different culture with different activities, foods, and customs.
Over the past five years I’ve been to Guatemala, England, Hawaii, Arizona and California – all for the first time. Each place was unique in its offerings and the experiences I had. My comfort zone was stretched to its limit, and it was extremely challenging at times, but I grew exponentially with each trip, bringing back knowledge and new awareness and insights that benefit me personally and to share with and help my business clients.
If you’re a little low in the spice department right now, how will you put more variety into your life? Leave a comment below and tell us.
Photo by Agnieszka Kowalczyk on Unsplash