How Can I Live A More Fulfilled Life? 20 Small Things You Can Do

When we focus on the lack, it brings in more feelings of lack. If you want to feel more fulfilled then your thoughts have to be aligned as well. On average, 80% of our thoughts are negative and 95% of our thoughts are repetitive. These thought habits are subconscious BUT if we can become more AWARE of our daily thoughts, then be purposeful in changing them into more empowering, loving thoughts, imagine how your life will transform?! Write down your negative thoughts on paper when they come up and flip the switch on them. Do this for 1 week. 

Contributors: Theresa Nguyen from More Time More You, LLC

Studies show happiness can protect your heart, strengthen your immune system, combat stress (as well as disease and disability), and lengthen your life. Spend time with friends and family, help and serve others and develop skills and creative hobbies. 

Contributors: Jennifer Bowman from Life, Hope & Truth 

Gratitude has been the subject of many studies, revealing the dramatic effect it has on every other part of our being. It provides health benefits, mental strength, positive effects in relationships, increased empathy, better sleep and more. Common suggestions to foster gratitude are praying, keeping a gratitude journal, sitting down once a week to count our blessings, meditating and writing thank-you notes. 

Contributors: Jennifer Bowman from Life, Hope & Truth 

Selflessness must be developed and worked on. There are many different ways to give and volunteer.

Contributors: Jennifer Bowman from Life, Hope & Truth 

I have had a simple yoga practice as part of my daily routine for many years now. Its impact on my overall life satisfaction has been immense. On really tough days I do my practice as a routine activity and more often than not, it improves the day for me. Similarly, on really happy days, the yoga practice brings balance and a deeper sense of joy. It could be just 15 minutes right after waking up. Or it could be much longer practice, but I believe a simple yoga practice added to the daily routine would add value to everyone's life. Consider it a mental hygiene activity like brushing the teeth. 

Contributors: Priyanka Dalal from PriyankaWriting

Being unable to make a decision can drive anyone up the wall. By merely setting an intention to be mindful, yet definite when making decisions, will allow for more calm and ultimately fulfilling choices in all areas of life. 

Contributors: Kenya Moses from Be A Fit Mama

Place simple, supportive sticky-notes all around you-on the bathroom mirror, the fridge, and in your car. For example, if you are trying to exercise more, a sticky note might read, Go for a 10 minute walk after work! You can do it! You'll feel SO much better! These uplifting messages will help remind you of your abilities and your goals.

Contributors:  Carla Marie Manly from DrCarlaManly  

Be patient with yourself. Negative habits don't occur overnight; it takes time and perseverance to create change. 

Contributors:  Carla Marie Manly from DrCarlaManly  

What I do to feel more fulfilled in life is play piano. Its fun, something I look forward to doing and playing an instrument has been scientifically proven to engage practically every area of the brain at once especially the visual, auditory, and motor cortices so it gets my mental capacity going. Its like a mental full body workout

Contributors: Gene Caballero from GreenPal, Inc

My life changed when I got my dog, Huck. His unending love and support are critical, but so are his needs. Forcing myself to get up early, break in the middle of my day and talk long evening walks have brought a connection with nature and my body that has been life changing. 

Contributors: Kristina Libby from Lōhm

We learn from each experience. As you are going through the ups and downs of life it helps to look for the lessons. Take a moment when something wonderful or something difficult comes your way and ask yourself what did I learn? This quick moment of reflection helps you to bring the bigger picture into focus. 

Contributors: Angel M. Hoodye from Flourishing Hope Counseling

Take a moment and look at all of the things that have gone well in your life. Count all the battles you have won. When you reflect over all of your success instead of all the failures you sense of accomplishment increases. Spending time focusing on all the things you have done well builds an attitude of being victorious and not a victim in life. 

Contributors: Angel M. Hoodye from Flourishing Hope Counseling

Creating tiny goals to accomplish for the day or hour. Making this tiny adjustment increases your sense of accomplishment. This change also increases your ability to knock out a much larger task in a meaningful way. You can able this positive change to many aspects of life. 

Contributors: Angel M. Hoodye from Flourishing Hope Counseling

Spend some time catching up with family and friends. You don’t have to go halfway across the world to enjoy your life. Bloom where you are planted. Spend time with the people that matter the most to you. You don’t have to keep family/friend bonding time confined to the holidays. 

Contributors: Angel M. Hoodye from Flourishing Hope Counseling

At the end of every single day, I make a list of what I accomplished at work that day, a list of what I hope to accomplish when I get home, and lastly a list of what I hope to accomplish at work the next day. It may seem odd that I include a list for my personal life, but I find dedicating this time each day, helps me keep all aspects of my life balanced and organized, and this is reflected in my work. Usually my lists will include a few large tasks and a few small tasks. It can be something as large and vague as contribute to such-and-such project, or something as small and specific as bring donuts to work tomorrow.

I will often refer back to these notes throughout the following days, and it encourages me to track my productivity/accomplishment. Impostor syndrome has been a popular buzz word lately when talking about things that trouble modern, successful women, and I can definitely relate. When I start to feel as though I am not keeping up or contributing enough to my team, I go through my lists and find tangible accomplishments, and look for more ways that I can add on.To anyone that is looking for a way to feel more grounded in their work and personal life and defeat feelings of impostor syndrome, try this technique.

Contributors: Laurelei Litke from HealthLabs

As Author and Life Coach, Tony Robbins stated in his book, Unlimited Power (Buy this book: USA Readers, UK Readers),

"The quality of your life is directly proportional to the quality of your communication; which equates to the quality of the relationships you keep."

Contributors: Kenya Moses from Be A Fit Mama

Holding a grudge is the best way to decrease your emotional (and physical) health when it comes to interacting with others. Forgiveness does not mean to forgetting; but letting go can be just the thing you need to live more fully.

Contributors: Kenya Moses from Be A Fit Mama

To be passionate is to pour energy into something that brings you excitement, balance and joy. Whether it is a career, hobby or family you are passionate about, you can be sure that it will lead you to a more fulfilling life. 

Contributors: Kenya Moses from Be A Fit Mama

We all say we are too busy, but in reality, we make time for priorities. Well, YOU are a priority. Make time for yourself, even if only a few minutes, to do whatever activity brings you joy, peace or personal accomplishment.

Contributors:  J Hope Suis from Hope Boulevard

The world has enough division and hate. Take that extra step, or show that extra bit of patience, and help bring a little more peace into this world. Kindness has a ripple effect, and the more people who participate, the greater the tidal wave of joy.

Contributors:  J Hope Suis from Hope Boulevard