Boredom -- Doing the Same Thing Over and Over

Happy Tuesday!  I just read a really cool post by Live Bold & Bloom, one of my favorite thought-provoking self-improvement blogs (http://liveboldandbloom.com/03/self-improvement/the-one-thing-you-keep-doing-that-will-forever-hold-you-back).  "The One Thing You Keep Doing That Will Forever Hold You Back."  What do you think that "one thing" is?  Doing the same thing over and over every day.  This isn't the first time I've seen this concept, but I forget about it as I go along, dragging myself through the same things day after day.  It fosters boredom.  And more boredom.  While we all like the comfort of routine, it does absolutely nothing (NOTHING) to move us forward, to excite us, to tempt our senses. 

One thing I used to do when I had to drive 50 miles one way to work was to go a different way each time.  While that sounds pretty simple, it kept the drive from becoming so routine that I practically slept through the whole thing.  If I went a different way each time, I had to think about my route.  I had new things to see.  It would lead my mind in a whole different direction each day, kind of bypassing the routine.  Whenever I step away from the routine, the norm, it wakes me up (literally). 

I have decided to change jobs.  Punching that button to send the resignation email was one of the biggest things I've done in a long time.  I don't quit jobs, especially if I don't have another in line to take its place.  But the time had come.  So I punched the Send button . . . and it took my breath away!  I felt sad . . . and glad.  I no longer had to deal with a situation that was causing me stress, but I am moving away from a routine I've done now for a long time.  After a few days of feeling a bit panicked, I started to get down to business and look for another job, which I did find after a week or so of searching.  And the company that hired me seemed thrilled to have me!  Thank you very much!  It is time for someone to want me.  I made the decision yesterday to take that job, going backward a bit, but I am so excited!  I could hardly sleep last night, lying away for a very long time with my mind going 90 miles an hour.  I felt more energized than I have in years. 

So I highly recommend you step outside your little comfort zone and try something a bit different.  Just a bit, if you can stand it.  I'm not saying you should quit your job or anything like that, but try driving to work using a different route.  Eat your lunch outside instead of in the break room.  Cook something new for dinner.  Wake yourself up!  Life is short.  And you certainly should not be bored!