Hurley: Life Is Getting Harder: Here’s A Winning Formula To Live By
A suggested approach to live by.
Life has become challenging in so many ways. That’s both pre and post COVID-19 pandemic.
For a lifetime, we have taken the approach to work hard. Working hard is a big part of a happy life. It is fulfilling and it is essential to work hard, in order to enjoy your time off even more.
Here’s our secret. Make advanced plans so that you always have something to look forward to. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive. Just make plans to do things that you enjoy. This strategy makes your workdays and weeks much more manageable and productive because there’s always “light” at the end of the “tunnel.”
We have found that this really works. We always know exactly when the next time we’ll be doing something:
- Disney World
- Cape May
- Staycation
- Family gathering
- Watch a movie
- Favorite television program
- Go to dinner
- Go to a concert
- Celebrate the various holiday’s
- A day trip anywhere that makes you happy
- A sporting event
- Noah sleepovers
- Talkers Magazine New York
- Our Annual Charity Golf Tournament
- Our Annual Charity Dinner
Just schedule something that you enjoy doing, on a date certain. Officially put it on your calendar.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit hard and there were so many doubts … it initially separated us all from our family members. It was a very difficult time, that was really hard to manage. There was no instruction manual for a once in every 100 years crisis like this.
During this time, Margie and I created our “Saturday Night Pandemic Supper Club.” For 14 consecutive Saturdays, we selected a local restaurant and we delivered wonderful gourmet dinners to each of 3 adult children, spouses, grandson Noah and my sister.
We didn’t go inside their houses. We brought their dinners to their front doors. But, we had the opportunity to see each other weekly.
We looked forward to this so much. It was a very special time spent. It personally helped me get through those grueling weeks because we always had Saturday night to look forward to.
And, all of our recipients looked very forward to Saturday night. It was always a surprise. They didn’t know what was being delivered. But, they knew it would be special.
It took about 3-4 hours to accomplish this each Saturday, but, it was a “labor” of love.
With your digital devices, you can create countdown clocks. This serves well because you can look at it from time to time. It builds anticipation and excitement about your upcoming special plans.
It makes getting through the challenging, daily grind, easier because you always have something around the corner to look forward to.
I believe that this philosophy will make you a better employee at work and a happier person. At home.
When you reach your planned event, enjoy it. Then, look forward to returning back to work and being productive and profitable for your company or employer.
But, make sure that you have your next scheduled “event” ready to go. This starts the process of having something to look forward to all over again.
I like the idea of having a few “big” things to look forward to each year. When I say “big,” I mean “big” as a relative term. A vacation or whatever it is that makes you happy.
My “Happy Place” is Disney World. Margie’s “Happy Place” is Cape May. So, we do both often.
We recently celebrated our 40th Wedding Anniversary in Disney World. It was amazing. We had it on our schedule for many months.
In the run-up to this special occasion, it was wonderful to have this trip to look forward to.
Also, have “smaller” plans on your schedule. Have the next one ready to go as soon as you finish the current one.
Don’t let this strategy lapse.
Try it. It works.
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