In today's economic climate there are a lot of "feelings" swirling around in Real Estate and in industry in general. Let's see we have panic, fear, anxiety, uncertainty, agitation, stress, worry and uncomfortableness to name a few. One might say they are depressing times or exciting times depending on your half empty glass or half full glass perspective. We never REALLY know the end of the story until time passes a little further along. We could be on the cusp of something great and we just have to get through the bottoming out phase.
But one feeling you may have as an individual many times in your life is that of being bored.
Being Bored Is A Good Thing.
It signals we need to jump into action. Put our thinking cap on. Get creative with new directions.
Do not think of yourself as in one box your whole life. Even in your present situation you could be in multiple boxes. I know a one person company where a woman calls herself a Chief Strategy Officer, rather than just Owner.
To take this wonderful feeling of being bored a step further, believe in life there ARE no such things as coincidences. If you are bored, it is for a reason. You can ignore it, or act on it. With relationships it doesn't mean dumping boring hubby or that spouse that doesn't excite you anymore, it means shake things up a bit. Put your thinking cap on and see what can you do to jazz up your experience.
Boredom is part of a natural ebb and flow of life. Maybe a pause between the high highs and the low lows. But it is a signal to make a shift. One strategy to alleviate boredom is to try many new things. You don't have to do many of them well, or any of them well. Just try different things. By not doing many of them well, you can let yourself off the hook and the pressure that you must be this perfect person. Try cooking. Try a new part time job. Try Toastmasters. Try volunteering. God forbid, try something new with your blogging. Life is NOT meant to be a stale experience. Draw your inspiration not from thinking about something day after day, but by immersing yourself in life and DOING SOMETHING, or many things, whatever they may be.
Find in your life PASSION, CRAZINESS, and COLOR. Pay attention to your feelings from what you tried. Did you sort of like that cooking class? Not for you? Loved it? The feedback signals from what you try, the WOW factor, will get you off the boredom track, and on to the thriving track.
Afterall in this market, none of us just wants to exist, or just survive. The key is to continue to THRIVE in all that we do. Granted, we don't THRIVE constantly. But like a little bush that gets the sunlight and the water, you have to trim off a few branches here and there that will make the buds pop out, and by springtime you will be in full bloom. So next time you're bored, embrace it, because just around the corner for you coming up is a world of color.
Great post, Gary, but what I like most about the post is the picture of the baby. I love babies. I love holding babies. Thanks for the cute picture.
Gary....Uplifting. Inspiring. Thoughtful. Intitutive. Gary.
It's what I love about your posts!
Thanks, Gary - that picture is priceless!
Hi Gary...For you, the glass is always half full (maybe fuller!).
For some being bored just puts them into a bigger slump.
Being positive makes the difference.
Positively yours,
Kate
Hi Gary! Thank you for offering such wonderful inspiration! That baby picture is precious and so perfect for the subject as are the bright pin colorful flowers! Very well done!
Debbie
Sorry Gary, this post I couldn't read....couldn't get past that most adorable baby. I read a line and my eyes wandered over. How cute is that baby. Is it a relative of yours? Just want to pinch those little cheeks. Sorry, next time....but you did get a comment.
Gary - seems we might be successful with just really good pictures haha
Hi Gary, I sure did enjoy this post! Loved the picture of course, but also loved it for the inspiration. There are some days when I'm wondering what to do next, and then I'll realize how lucky I am to have time to try new stuff. I just need to do more of it.....thank you for the nudge.
yes, I also click this post because of the baby. Very cute.
I want to add one more comment here, a quote from the newest article in Newsweek. "Americans do not have a divine right of constant crazy growth". Hopefully this boredom will bring many dreaming people into reality.
Shirley: This baby's for you : )
Thom and Ray: Thanks.
Leesa: Thought you might like the photo.
Kate: I think boring should make us go out there and be more positive. Kind of like a nudge.
Debbie: Glad you liked my illustration selections.
Nancy: It is a wrinkly baby, someone else's, but a cutie for sure. A bit on the bored side though.
Steve: A good picture always helps.
Ann: If we have the time to do something we are blessed.
Pat: You find a wealth of music with the YouTubes. I liked the two faith based ones and Billy Ocean has always been another favorite of mine. I do draw strength from my faith like you.
Huiting: Reality is a good thing, and many are seeing it up front and personal now. Good point.
Gary, your post was very well put. When we become complacent then we need to try new things :-)
Gary - one thing for sure your posts are never boring. Most adults did not have any time in their life to get bored. I usually find children are the ones who complain about being bored.
Gary - I do understand your post, if you are bored with your life and you can be busy but also bored with same routine - do something different to jazz it up.
Gary, I rarely experience boredum. I think the last time I was really bored was in high school. Back then the days were long, now they fly by. Can you believe it is almost Christmas?
Awesome food for thought! Thanks for the post, I really appreciated it!
Gary... I try to take advantage of the *down time*, and do things that I can't get to when I am busy. This way I still have accomplished something and feel good about it. I guess you can say I try to look at the glass as being half full.
Gary.. I'm sorry, I forgot to mention.. the picture of the baby with the stocking hat is PRICELESS. Would you mind if I copied it.. I'd like to make a print of this for work.
Gary,
I often explain to my kids how boring is a great thing!!! Thanks, Fran
I can't say I've every been bored............at least not by myself..........but occasionally in the company of someone else....:-)
Gary - I am happy to say I am more overwhelmed than bored these days.
Gary, I had to come visit here to see what "BORED" means. I can't remember the last time I was bored. Perhaps waiting in the dentist's office, but then again, no, because I always have my work with me.
I guess I have found my PASSION, CRAZINESS, and COLOR...
Gary - The realization that we can't thrive ALL the time is natural ... but it's just as natural to realize that we all have 'growth spurts' and we should act on those EVERY time.
And I'm never bored - I am simply placing my brain in recharge mode for a short time. Kind of like spring cleaning without paying attention to the season. :)
Gary - I can't remember the last time I've been bored. Reading posts like yours makes it virutally impossible. Love that baby picture!
I Love to be bored . . .probably because it never happens unless I make myself sit still for 5 minutes but then I don't think that counts as being bored!! LOL Great Post!
The Horse Lady~~~~~Tami Vroma
Life Is a Journey . . .Enjoy the Ride!
Hi Gary, Well, your title sure was a flashback--my sister and I would complain as children that we were bored, and Mom would always tell us it was good for us because then we would appreciate when we weren't bored! Too bad my sister and I never thought of your creative suggestions to combat boredom...that would have kept Mom on her toes! Cheers, Harley
You know, you are right (as usual)...Gary, I often tell buyers when they've lost "the" house...and have trouble moving on that they may not believe me now, that what they end up with will be something that makes them so much happier. They don't always believe it but do remember I said it and when it does happen they are thrilled and validated.
Contentment in every situation is hard for so many! Great post and such a good reminder to be thankful for everything and embrace it! Happy Thanksgiving Gary!!