Short guide to a joyful, happy, productive, satisfying day

How to plan a joyful, happy, productive, satisfying day?

1. Limit the number of “should do” tasks in our days – chores or stuff you think you should do because you are procrastinating

– I should clean the sink everyday (though I don’t enjoy it all that much)

– I should attend meetings at work today (though I don’t enjoy it all that much)

– I should clean the cat’s litter box today (though I don’t enjoy it all that much)

– I should check my email (though I just checked it 5 mins ago)

– I should “do research” on that topic (though that is just an excuse to browse)

2. Make a couple of “love to” things mandatory in our day – the stuff which at first glance seem frivolous / take too much time/ I would do it if I was not so busy (doing only should dos) – but once past the excuses, these actually make our day, have the power to change our mood, and are essential to our mental and physical well being.

– I love to climb (but I generally don’t get time for that – but I did it today and it makes me happy)

– I love to take long walks (but I generally don’t get time for that – but I did it today and it makes me happy)

– I love to write (but I generally don’t get time for that – but I did it today and it makes me happy)

– I love to do yoga (but I generally don’t get time for that – but I did it today and it makes me happy)

3. Force ourselves to do at least one “can do” task – invariable these are hard, fulfilling, long term focused which give us a sense of achievement. But the satisfaction for these can sometimes be delayed since they can be quite tough and might make us hit our boundaries

– I can study today (it’s tough, and I really want to but I’m afraid at how much I suck at it)

– I can cook today (it’s tough, and I really want to but I’m afraid at how much I suck at it)

– I can meditate today (it’s tough, and I really want to but I’m afraid at how much I suck at it)

– I can be mindful today (it’s tough, and I really want to but I’m afraid at how much I suck at it)

On my ideal, happy days I follow this and limit the number of “should”s (since the “should”s never end) Make sure I have at least one “love” to (a couple is awesome!) and definitely try to add one “can” in my day.