I like to always have something “big” to look forward to. It’s not that I don’t enjoy my life from day to day – I do! But, I still find myself looking forward to that big once-a-year vacation or trip home to Texas to visit family. We just have to wait too long for those special “big” events.

My first coach had me start this habit, and many of my coaching clients have enjoyed developing this easy, little life-changing habit. Instead of waiting for that once-a-year thing to look forward, how about having an abundance of good things to look forward to – at least one thing every day! Keep in mind the simple things, too, as they are frequently the most rewarding of all.

To get you thinking, here are some suggestions:

* A walk with your significant other
* A bike ride through the park
* Bring home a bunch of beautiful fresh flowers
* Enjoy a special cup of hot tea
* Make a visit to a neighbor
* Write in your journal
* Play a round of golf
* Call a friend you haven’t talked to in while
* Take your assistant out to lunch
* Buy a magazine you haven’t read before
* See a play
* Get a manicure
* Try a new restaurant

Every day you need something to look forward to! If you have to put it on your calendar, then do that, but make sure you are intentional about thinking ahead to the next day to have something special to look forward to.

Remember, your look-forward-to doesn’t have to be elaborate, expensive, or unusual. The fact that you are singling one thing out to be your special “thing” for the day brings it to a higher level of significance, and does something psychologically for you when you look forward to it and then wring every ounce of pleasure from it! There are so many things to enjoy about life each and every day!

Here’s an exercise to help you with this. Get out some paper or your journal and take several quiet minutes alone to write your answers, in vivid detail, to these two questions:

What is your ideal morning?

What is your ideal evening?

By treating yourself with as many elements of your ideal day as possible, you’ll be happier and more energized throughout the entire day.

OK, what is your “look forward to” for tomorrow?

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