Always have something to look forward to.
Always having something to look forward to will fuel your positivity and get you through the tough stuff. Research has found that just the anticipation of doing something you enjoy will elevate your mood, reduce stress and create happiness in your life.
Picture these fun activities as dots on a timeline. It doesn’t matter how close or spread out they are, as long as you have them lined up so that as soon as you complete one, the next one is there for you to anticipate.
You can put a wide variety of things on your anticipation timeline:
Going out for a date night
Having coffee or a meal with friends
Going to a concert, performance or sporting event
Participating in a sporting event
Inviting people over for an adult or family night
Hosting family from out of town
Trying out a new restaurant
Watching your favorite team play
Starting a new book or TV series
Getting a massage
Spending time alone, in nature or on a hobby
Finishing a home project
Volunteering for a meaningful cause
Taking a weekend getaway
Going on vacation
Or, whatever lights you up!
The first step to maintaining an anticipation timeline is to make plans in advance. Once you’ve determined who, what and where, add the activity to your calendar (digital, wall, planner or whatever you use on a regular basis). Simply having it visible on your calendar will build up your anticipation.
The next step is to allow yourself to enjoy the activity when it finally arrives. Be fully present, soak in the good vibes and savor the experience.
As you perpetuate the plan, anticipate and enjoy cycle, you will find that you are more content and hopeful. You won’t dwell as much on difficult things. Instead, you will work through them, while always looking forward to the next dot on your anticipation timeline.