Posts from — September 2011

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Human beings are fairly needy. We need determination to better ourselves, we need inspiration to remain optimistic, and we need incentive to stay productive.

As you can imagine, the list goes on and on. Let’s face it, when it comes to being productive members of society, we often expect life to hold our hands through much of the process.

When life turns her back on us for even the briefest moment, we get discouraged. And the interesting thing about discouragement, of course, is that it tends not to go away so easily.

While there’s no shame in being disheartened (it happens to the best of us), it’s certainly no way to go through the day, particularly if you’re a person with a whole lot of downtime on your hands, which only makes a bad situation worse.

Keep in mind that no matter what your situation is, there’s always a means to improve it.

Whether you just a need a break from the monotony of mid-afternoon network television or you’re truly sensing that it’s time for a dramatic change in your lifestyle, there’s bound to be an activity or two that’ll help you along the way!

It’s all about occupying your time more wisely.

Just to point you in the right direction, here are a few quick tips:

1) Get Out There and Socialize

Adding a few social activities to your schedule couldn’t possibly hurt.

If you’ve got spare time, then you’ve got time to socialize. Think about what’s going on in your area and be open to experiencing something new and different.

Join a club, take a class, attend a convention, or peruse a few local hotspots.

Who knows, you may benefit in unexpected ways from the experience! You may even gain a little inspiration or make a friend or two in the process, so don’t rule any activity out.

2) Call an Old Friend

Speaking of friends, how long has it been since you’ve contacted a few old ones?

Too long? Well, think of someone you haven’t spoken to in a while and give them a call. Whether it’s been weeks, months, or years since you last spoke with them, they’ll likely appreciate the sentiment.

Getting back in touch with an old acquaintance can be quite gratifying, especially on an emotional level.

3) Find a New Hobby

No one should count “dwelling” among their hobbies of choice.

Find something more personally rewarding.

Ever try collecting? Give it a shot. Ever had an interest in the culinary arts? Look into it—you may end up having a knack for it.

From reading and writing to exercising and jogging, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of a new challenge! Even if it takes a while before you find a pastime that’s worth your time, you’ll at least be able to say that you tried something different.

4) Finish Your Projects

Be honest, there’s got to be a few projects that you’ve had sitting on the backburner for longer than you’d like to admit.

Whether it’s a 1000-piece puzzle that you’re only half done with or a personal memoir that you’ve only written fives pages for, it’s time that you kick things back into high gear again.

Buckle down, persevere, and get down to business, because there’s no better time than the present to pick up right where you left off!

5) Reorganize

What does your living environment look like these days?

Actually, a better question would be: how long has it looked that way?

If you need to think about it for more than a few seconds, then it’s probably time for a change in scenery.

Move your furnishings from one end of the room to another (or even from one room to another); rearrange your couches or chairs; change some of the pictures on the wall. After all, there’s no denying that a little bit of change is generally a good thing.

6) Volunteer

Want to give something back to the community or offer your time to a worthy cause?

It’s not for everyone, but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it; few things are as personally rewarding as helping those in need.

As far as volunteer work goes, most organizations would be more than happy to enlist your help for even a couple hours a week.

Blood drives, outreach projects, church functions, political campaigns—the opportunities are always abundant. Consult an online directory if you’re looking for volunteer work in your area.

7) Get Someone Else to Motivate You

It isn’t always the easiest thing in the world to encourage yourself. Everyone needs a pep talk now and again, and if you’re the kind of person who can’t seem to accomplish anything when stuck in a rut, then don’t hesitate to ask for a little assistance.

Get in touch with someone that you know will come right over, drag you off the sofa and get you moving! Call a friend or a family member if you’re in need of some quick encouragement; isn’t that what they’re there for?
At the end of the day, a good objective would be to try and keep yourself as preoccupied as you can.

While any of these tips will certainly help spur your enthusiasm, they’re by no means the last word on personal development.

Feel free to get creative and think up a few of your own approaches. Ultimately, keep in mind that the time you spend on an activity is time away from discouragement—and that’s time well spent, by any measure.

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This article was contributed by Joseph Giorgi, a content developer and video specialist at Quality Logo Products, Inc., a leading promo products distributor. Passionate about conveying useful and helpful information through his writing, he contributes extensively to the company’s marketing blog and is always eager to offer advice and insight whenever possible.