Limitless Monday: Do You Feel Right?

Limitless Monday – Do you feel right?

I am currently reading a book called The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. You have probably deduced by now that I read a lot. My aim is to distill at least one valuable insight from every book I read. My latest page turner has provided a number of gems for me to ponder, one of which I would like to discuss with you today.

One of the secrets to happiness, according to Gretchen, and there are many, is to ‘feel right’. Following on from that, we should ask ourselves the question, do I feel right?

What does that phrase mean exactly, apart from the patently obvious? It means, do you feel content, comfortable, or at peace with your current state or situation?

Additionally, do you feel good, balanced, and satisfied with your life, emotions, or circumstances?

Of course, when I read about the use of this question as a gauge of happiness, I was forced to ask the question of myself.

My answer to that probing question is that, generally, I do feel right. But, there is room for improvement in a few distinct areas.

It’s a revealing question to ask as long as you answer it truthfully, and resist the temptation to respond with, “Yeh I feel great”. That flippant response is fine as long as you follow up with, what is good? Why is it good? What could be better? Why could it be better? How do you aim to make it better?

The question looks at the here and now. That’s the beauty of the question. It’s a question we should regularly ask of ourselves.

So back to whether I feel right. As I said, there is room for improvement, but generally I do feel right. Delving deeper.

The areas I have identified as requiring attention are:

Find a perfect soulmate.

Start my own business and secure my independence and financial security.

Spend more time with my children and be a better father.

That’s it really for me.

The starting point to be able to answer this question for yourself is to ask yourself what you are grateful for. I have my health, I have a few loyal friends, and I have fantastic loving children.

Then you may want to look at what is not making you feel complete.

Money – financial problems.

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Relationship – issues with an existing relationship, or perhaps you are seeking a new relationship.

Independence – lack of independence particularly as regards working a 9-5 job which you dislike or is failing to stretch you.

Next you should ask what must I do to make myself feel right? That will require setting goals for each of the areas which are the cause of your discomfort and then, as always, taking action

For example:

Goal – Find a new romantic partner – Take action by joining a dating site.

Goal – Achieve Independence – Take action by starting a side-gig.

Goal – Manage my money better – Take action by setting aside money and begin saving.

One of the most important parts of this process is to have fun when pursuing your goal, remembering it is rarely the arriving that provides happiness but the journey.

When you look back on life it is the reflection of the adventures in the journey that we cherish. Life is one long journey divided into many shorter journeys. We must make those series of short journeys as colorful as possible. To be able to say, “I feel right” with confidence and comfort you must know you are on the right track, that you have selected the best goals for yourself, and are taking the necessary actions to achieve them.

On this Monday morning, I want you to ask yourself that question, “Do I feel right?” If you feel discomfort when answering that question, you have some work to do.

Imagine waking late for work one morning. You have a lot to do before you even step out of the door, and then as you are taking a shower you remember you have a meeting scheduled for 9am. Discomfort turns to anxiety which leads to feeling overwhelmed. This is a snapshot of how you feel when you don’t feel right. The optimal way of changing that feeling is to take positive, impactful action to rectify the situation one step at a time. You have time, but not much. Start today.

Happy Monday!

Banner Image: Happiness. Image Credit – MI PHAM