Flex_ Do Something Different - Ben [34]
Email your Amazon wish list to all your friends.
If you have children tell them not to bother you all weekend.
Dress differently to how you normally do.
Arrange to go to that pop concert you always wanted to go to.
Suggest a night out for family or friends and get everyone on board.
Don’t let others’ reactions affect you taking a decision, if it’s right.
Spot your people-pleasing habit today and ask yourself, ‘Who am I doing this for?’
Behave as you wish? Try behaving as others want.
Do something you know your parents would approve of.
Ask another what you should do.
Let someone else make plans for you.
Be the last to take a seat or join a queue.
Join that Facebook group.
Play a game with your children (or grandchildren) if you have them.
Say yes to the next thing someone asks you to do.
Ask yourself, ‘What would my friends want me to do?’
If you have children, let them plan the whole weekend.
Let a friend decide your next night out.
Ask your boss for three ways you can improve your work; try them.
Try dressing like other people at work; how does it feel?
Next time someone says something you disagree with, agree anyway.
Behave at least once today in a way you know others would approve of.
The spontaneous-systematic dimension
Spontaneous? Try being more systematic.
Make a plan of action for the next two days.
Organise an area of your life that’s too haphazard, e.g. sort out your CDs or photos, put your finances in order, etc.
List the things you want to achieve in the next week, next year and in your life. Plan how you will reach these goals and the steps you will take.
Timetable your whole day in half-hour slots.
Imagine your strictest school teacher is running your life.
Tidy up something that needs tidying up.
Arrange to meet up with a friend you haven’t seen for a while.
Stop and ask yourself, ‘how can I do this systematically?’
Decide on three things you’re going to do tomorrow and then do them.
Plan a holiday for next year; make all the arrangements you can.
Sort out that pile of paperwork you’ve been ignoring.
Pick a room in your house that needs attention and draw up an action plan.
Compare your bank balance now with a year ago. Work out what changes to make.
Systematic? Try being more spontaneous.
Do something on the spur of the moment.
Ignore your plans and just do what feels right.
Try something silly or frivolous – just for fun.
Phone an old friend out of the blue.
Let the day unfold without organising it; just see what happens.
Turn up at your local cinema and watch the next film that’s starting.
Surf the net and express your views somewhere.
Invite someone to dance, wherever you are.
Practise saying, ‘Let’s do it!’
Ask yourself what tomorrow would be like if there was no plan.
Go to bed an hour later or earlier than normal, whichever is more unusual.
On a walk toss a coin each time you can choose which way to go: heads go left, tails go right.
List six options for a night out; roll a dice to decide.
Stick a pin in a map – make the destination your next road trip.
Drop everything and invite a friend or colleague to go for a coffee.
Replace one of today’s tasks with something more fun.
The single-minded-open-minded dimension
Single-minded? Try being more open-minded.
Seek the advice of a person much younger than you.
Instead of rejecting an idea, ask ‘Why?’ or ‘Why not?’
Mix with people who don’t share your views or background.
Look for areas of agreement during conversation.
Try a new sexual position/practice.
Expose yourself to music/food/customs of another culture.
Plan a trip somewhere unusual and different.
Read a blog on a topic that challenges your views. Look for points of agreement and leave a comment.
Ask yourself, ‘Am I jumping to conclusions here?’
Get as many opinions as you can before making an important decision.
Stop and chat to the next charity worker that stops you in the street.
Practise saying, ‘That’s different to how I see it. Tell me more.’
Find out about the views of a political party you disagree with.