Last year at this time, I had just started planning my hiking adventure/sabbatical. I had been dreaming about it for two decades, but it was time to check it off the bucket list.
Positive anticipation creates, happy brain chemicals …
… particularly dopamine.
It’s always a good thing to plan things into the near future that you can look forward to.
- Lightly challenging
- Near future
- Planning and preparation required
By slightly challenging, it’s not just going to your favorite restaurant for dinner…
… Or, like I did recently, take advantage of an unseasonably warm winter day to walk the beach.
Don’t discount the value in the daily simpler pleasures, but this is more challenging. And produces more dopamine!
It typically requires taking time off. Doing your research. And considering options.
It’s fun to be involved in the evolution.
I think of the near future as six months … give or take a few months. Time feels like it has collapsed. It will fly by.
Six months gives you enough time to enjoy the planning and preparation, without dragging it out …
… or leaving too much room for procrastination.
And if you find yourself getting caught up in the “what ifs,” it’s an opportunity to develop awareness.
Are your fears and worries really justified? If so acknowledge it and… Do it anyway, … if you feel like it’s something you will wish you would’ve done when your time is up.
Feel the fear… And do it anyway!
