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The wish list
Do you want to know where you are in life and what you would still like to do? Make a list of all the dreams you had as a child. Write them down, then tick off how many of those dreams you achieved. For example:
I wanted to...
Take a look at the dreams that you never achieved, then make a new list of those dreams that are still important to you. Add new dreams, if you are already married with children what would you like to do next? Maybe you would love to travel, start a new career or a new hobby. And what about that dream of going to Disneyland? Do you still want to go? Just because you are an adult doesn't mean you can't live your childhood dreams. Go ahead and take those ballet classes!
For motivation, put up your wish list where you will see it every day. You can even change your wish list to a 'to do' list, to urge you to take action.
The gratitude list
The idea of a gratitude journal was popularised by American talk-show host Oprah Winfrey. Keeping a journal or making a list of everything you are grateful for is a clever way of creating a feeling of hope and optimism. It can be something seemingly mundane, like being thankful that you woke up earlier so that you could enjoy a cup of coffee in bed before work, to being grateful that your parents are still alive.
Here are a few gratitude lists that were posted on Oprah's website:
I am grateful for...
Keep a gratitude journal or draw up a gratitude list. You could even make a mental list in your head of all the things you are grateful for. Do it before you get up in the morning and again just before you go to bed.
The list of pleasures
Making lists of the things you like helps you to get to know yourself better. It could also remind you of what you should be doing, instead of just treading the work mill. So you like taking long bubble baths or going for walks on the beach? Well, when was the last time you did just that?
Want to know what other people like? Here are a few pleasures listed on the web:
I get pleasure from...
The list of pains
Making a list of the things you don't like helps you to know what to avoid in order to make your life more pleasant. It also allows you to get things off your chest. Here are a few examples found on the Net of what some people would rather live without:
I get irritated by...
The pleasures list is guaranteed to make you smile, so keep it somewhere where you can look at it when you are feeling disheartened with the world. The pains list can be distributed among loved ones. Get their lists, too, so that you have an idea of how what makes one person tick and another explode.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab a pen and make a list!
