Reflection: In life’s daily give and take, slog and grind, tug and pull, it’s easy to question whether what you do or who you are really matters. Many times I’ve felt discouraged or hopeless or useless and found myself asking, ‘What’s the point?” Maybe you have, too.

Along the way I’ve learned that fostering a sense of significance – believing that we do, in fact, matter – is very much an inside job. Others cannot fill a hole in our hearts or a need in our lives that is of our own making.

Action: In those dark moments of self-doubt about self-worth, here are a handful of tactics you might find helpful in shifting from dismay to delight.

• Do something kind for someone – and make that someone you! Treat yourself to something you enjoy – no special occasion or excuse required. Just because.
• Get out of yourself and into the great outdoors. Even a short walk will reconnect you to life’s big picture and lift your spirit, too.
• Create anything (havoc excluded) – just for the sheer joy of it. No ROI anticipated or required.
• Take a nap or get a good night’s sleep. The world looks brighter when seen through rested eyes.
• Send your worrisome doubts packing, and tackle one small practical task. Untangling your thinking is helpful to a point. There is also a time to stop stewing and start doing. Accomplishment fuels satisfaction.
• Replay your own personal ‘greatest hits’ highlight reel. Remind yourself of times you KNOW your presence or contribution made a positive difference. Let that ‘feel good’ movie inspire what comes next.

Know that you DO matter. We all do. Own your significance and carry it with you every single day!

Quotes Of The Week: Often we are restless, irritable, and discontent because we are not cherishing the life we have. Every life has things in it that are well worth noticing and appreciating. – Julia Cameron

Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be. – Grandma Moses

Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told: “I am with you kid. Let’s go.” – Maya Angelou

Resource Of The Week: You might enjoy Polly Campbell’s article:  Five Things To Make A Better Day.