Real Life Isn't Boring! How to Live Life with No Regrets

How does one live life without regrets? Is it even possible? Are there really lifehacks and lessons to be learned? We can’t think of a better time than the New Year to begin living a life free of regret. This week on Platinum Rules for Success, one of our most popular contributors, Anne Bachrach, offers her sage advice.  Anne (aka the Accountability Coach) suggests that living a life without regret begins with recognizing the extraordinary opportunities we’re presented with. Do they pass us without notice? Or do we seize them with recognition, energy and enthusiasm?

Real Life Isn’t Boring! How to Live Life with No Regrets

by Anne Bachrach

Life goes by so quickly – don’t miss out on the extraordinary opportunities you have to live life without regret!  Ask yourself this question, if you left this world tomorrow, would you feel as if you lived life to the fullest extent?

While you can’t turn back the clock and change past events, would you – if you had the power – change the way things are now?  Perhaps you would change where you live, your financial status or improve your personal relationships.  Maybe you would drive a different car, play more golf, travel to exotic places, be more physically fit, or relax in a hammock on the beach.

You’re probably thinking, that sounds great, but that’s not real life.  You can’t spend your life in a hammock!

Then let me ask you, what is real life supposed to be about?

Work?  Responsibility?  Bills?  More work?  (You may be tempted to answer yes, but hold that thought.)

This is where most of us get it all wrong.  Most of us were taught that being an adult is about being responsible, and life is not about having fun.  You’re supposed to have all your fun when you’re a child, then “grow up” and live responsibly in the real world. 

I challenge you to break that false perception and create a new rule of your own.

If you could live life exactly as you wanted, what would you change?  Without even realizing it, you could probably come up with at least three things that would involve less work and more fun.  Go ahead, try it.

If you could change three things in your life – right now – what would they be?  Here are some examples:

1. Work less
2. Travel more
3. Spend more time with children

Now it’s your turn…

1. _____________________
2. _____________________
3. _____________________

Why would you change these particular aspects?  Next, write a specific reason for wanting to change these three things.

1. So I have more time and energy to do the things I like to do: work on the house, watch football, go fishing with the boys, etc.
2. I’d like to explore the world and take romantic trips with my spouse/significant other.
3. Spending time with my children makes me feel good, even when I’m down.  They make me laugh!

Your list…

1. _______________________
2. _______________________
3. _______________________

When you wrote down your reasons, did you notice that they probably have nothing to do with responsibility and boredom?  Still think life is supposed to be one dull ride?  The things that matter most to you – and the things that allow you to live life to the fullest – are always the things that make you feel good.

This is where you have to retrain your mind to think of life in a whole new perspective.  Real life is not about being bored, exhausted, frustrated or even unhappy.  Real life is about experiencing the things that allow you to feel whole, free, and blissful.

Do not waste one more day of your precious life.  Take stock of the life you live now and the life you would like to live, and start moving in that direction.  Here’s how you get started:

1. Make a list of 100 Things You Would Like to Do Before Life’s End

2. From your list of 100 Things You Would Like to Do….Make a list of 10 Long-Term Goals (5 to 20+ years)

*If you’re tempted to write down more than ten goals, go for it!  Now put them in priority order with those most important to you at the top of the list.  Once you begin accomplishing your goals, cross them off and add new ones.

Now that you have your long-term goals, you can create short-term goals.  Long-term goals don’t happen overnight and are a series of smaller steps over time.  The idea is to breakdown the long-term goals into smaller steps that can be achieved now or in the near future. 

3. Make a list of 10 Short-Term Goals (1 day to 3 years)

*If you’re tempted to write down more than ten goals, stay on that roll.   Remember to prioritize your list.  Once you begin accomplishing your goals, cross them off and add new ones.

Your short-term goals should encompass easy actions that you can begin taking today.  Some steps may require only a few hours, while others will require one week, six months, or longer.  Start with the short-term goals that are the building blocks to your most desired long-term goals – and the easiest to complete.  What you’re looking for are the goals that carry the biggest bang in the shortest amount of time.

To be sure you now have a new perspective on living life to the fullest, I challenge you to find just one goal on your list of 100 Things that is boring and “adult like.” 

If you found one (or more), shame on you.  Nothing on that list should be anything remotely close to boring.  Go back and review your list – if you find anything remotely boring, stop and ask yourself if you really want that or is it something you think someone else wants you to achieve.  The only items on that list should be things you want because you want them.  No one else can help you live life without regret, which is why your goals should always be what you want, not what someone else wants for you.

Utilize the Quality of Life Enhancer™ online free exercise to help you create your list.  You can find this online tool at http://www.accountabilitycoach.com/coaching-store/inner-circle-store/.  Share it with your family and others who you think will benefit from this exercise.  Create the kind of life you truly want and one with no or fewer regrets.

© Anne M. Bachrach. All rights reserved.

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Anne M. Bachrach is known as The Accountability Coach™.  She has 23 years of experience training and coaching.  Business owners and entrepreneurs who utilize Anne’s proven systems and processes work less, make more money, and have a more balanced and successful life. Anne is the author of the books, Excuses Don’t Count; Results Rule!, and Live Life with No Regrets; How the Choices We Make Impact Our Lives, No Excuses!, and The Work Life Balance Emergency Kit. Join the FREE Silver Inner Circle Membership today and receive 10% off on all products and services, in addition to having access to assessments and high-content resources to help you achieve your goals so you can experience a more balanced and successful life (http://www.accountabilitycoach.com/coaching-store/inner-circle-store/). Get Your Free High-Content Book from Amazon today: 10 Power Tips for Getting Focused, Organized, and Achieving Your Goals Now, by going to https://www.amazon.com/Power-Getting-Focused-Organized-Achieving-ebook/dp/B01GIL5WJ8/