How to Find Something in Your Life That’s Worth Waking Up For – Episode 469

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In this episode, Ted answers a question sent in by a Ted in Your Head listener: “I’m having a hard time waking up in the morning. I feel like there’s nothing to look forward to. How can I go about finding something in my life that’s worth waking up for?” Great question: Why get out of bed if it’s only going to be “the same ole same ole…”?

Only you can answer that question. The good news is that we all have the ability to create ourselves anew and find passion or passions that move us out of bed and into engagement with the world. Ted discusses some practical actions you can take right away to begin to give yourself a bigger and better reason to get up in the morning.

Listen to this Podcast now:

I had a listener reach out to me with a question:

“I’m having a hard time waking up in the morning. I feel like there’s nothing to look forward to. I’m not depressed but how can I go about finding something in my life that’s worth waking up for? I know about exercise and finding a hobby and eating well. I’m talking about steps to discover my passions.”

Thank you, listener, for your question. Let’s unpack this:

The fact that she’s not depressed is important. She’s aware that exercise and eating well is good.

She’s talking more about finding a passion that gets you out of bed in the morning, something to look forward to, something that’s exciting. As opposed to the “same ole same ole…”

First off, let’s not skip past the fundamentals of good sleep, exercise and proper nutrition. These are important for more energy and mental clarity which goes a long way towards being passionate. I’ve talked a lot about this. I’m always talking about this, so I won’t go into it again.

What we’re looking for is here something deeper, something that gives you a sense of purpose and meaning and motivation to start your day. Something that truly energizes you, something to look forward to.

  1. I would start by putting pen to paper or hands on a keyboard and writing. Journaling can be very helpful. Putting down ideas, exploring possibilities, notating insights etc. can be extremely helpful and a powerful path to self-awareness. Or, have a conversation with someone you trust but take notes or record the conversation so that you can refer back to any ideas or excitement that was triggered.

Ask yourself:

  • What do I want to create in this world? Art, music, a foundation, a business maybe?
  • Who do I want to impact? Very often passion comes from a sense of contribution.
  • What problems do I want to solve?
  • What legacy do I want to leave?

These are just prompts to get you thinking. However, don’t just think; write or record.

  1. Reconnect with What Used to Inspire You Think back to times in your life when you felt the most engaged and alive. What were you doing? Who were you with?

I was talking with a client the other day who is a new father, and business  owner. He said that he misses all the things he used to do that kept him fired up and bettering himself like reading or lifting weights. Sometimes, our passions get buried under responsibilities, and revisiting past interests can help reignite something meaningful.

It’s important to understand that this is a process of exploration. You must do a bit of work. You’re not going to listen to this podcast and all of a sudden wake up ready and rearing to go. Maybe instead of looking at your phone first thing in the morning, you journal instead? Just a suggestion…

  1. Explore what you’re curious about. What are you interested in? Picking a new passion might be harder than paying attention to what naturally catches your interest. Are there certain topics you like reading about, are you drawn to particular type of work or activity? Write those down, explore them on the internet, follow those small insights because they can lead to something bigger.
  2. This next thing is really important: What energizes you? What drains you? Pay attention to how you feel after different activities. Music energizes me, nature energizes me, reading about interesting things energizes me. Dealing with insurance, taxes, computer stuff, technical stuff: that drains me, but I know people who love those things. Do you like helping people, working with people or are you more of a solitary person doing your own thing? That’s important to know. Start designing your days to include more of what naturally fuels you so that you have something to look forward to in the day.
  3. Experiment Without Commitment

Give yourself permission to try things out. Take a class, attend a workshop, volunteer, or talk to someone or shadow someone that’s doing something that interests you. Don’t put pressure, don’t make it all or nothing, don’t feel the need to commit or be perfect. Just explore, check it out. If it doesn’t float your boat, let it go, but you still might get some good stuff from the experience.

  1. Connect with Inspiring People or read about them. Sometimes, being around passionate people can help spark something in you. Talk to people who love what they do. Ask them what excites them, how they found their path, and what keeps them going.

Or read about people who you admire. Learn their stories. What were their challenges and how did they overcome them. What are their philosophies of life?

  1. Set small goals that are exciting. Have the intention to read or listen to a book for a period of time if you enjoy that. Or exercise, take a walk. Go drive and check something out. Learn a new skill. Meet someone for coffee. Go to a museum or art gallery.

Even if you don’t know your passion is yet, setting small goals or challenges can add meaning to your days.

  1. Embrace change and let go of who you have always thought you were. In your journaling and reflection, think about the old you. The you in the past. You’re not the same person you were 5 years ago. We change, we grow wiser and more experienced, we must allow yourself to evolve.

Sometimes, we get stuck because we define ourselves by who we used to be. The things that once excited you may not be the same now and that’s okay.

Remember our subconscious minds like the known and familiar. It wants us to stay the same because that’s safe. Be willing to embrace new ways of thinking, new ways of feeling about yourself, talking about yourself both in your head and with others. Get your mind familiar and comfortable with the idea of the you that’s here, now.  Give yourself permission to have beginners mind, be willing to start again. George Bernard Shaw said “Life is not about finding yourself, life is about creating yourself.

  1. Recognize that passion often comes from taking action, not just thinking about it. You don’t have to wake up one morning with a lightning-bolt realization. Passion usually grows from engagement. Start doing things every day and see where they take you. You must be willing to do something other than be in your head. Start small but be consistent.
  2. Talk to your subconscious mind using positive affirmations. I believe that positive affirmations before bed and after you wake up are powerful. This gets your subconscious mind familiar with new ways of thinking. Start them with I am or I am becoming. We believe what we tell ourselves over and over. This is a form of autosuggestion because we are in hypnosis after we wake up and right before we sleep. Use that time to re-program your mind.

That’s what I have for you today.

I’ll leave you with two quotes, first one is by Bob Dylan:

“He not busy being born is busy dying” is a lyric from Bob Dylan’s song “It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)

Two of the most interesting things I’ve done recently was to read both Bob Dylan’s and Elvis Costello’s autobiographies. I was introduced to a whole new world of creativity, music and ideas.

Every day we are born again. Have your very first thoughts be positive thoughts like “Thank you for a brand new day.”

The next quote by George Bernard Shaw:

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”

Life is meant to be enjoyed. Find time to play, explore, try stuff, and learn.

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Watch Ted in Your Head on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gWblQ1A9_UY

If you’re having trouble getting up in the morning feeling excited and looking forward to the day, you can request a complimentary phone consultation by going to TedMoreno.com/contact. He’ll get back to you to talk and explore what you want to create next.

Thanks you so much for reading.

Ted