Before We Get Under Way with Today’s Post…
Well, what can I say about the overwhelming response to yesterday’s post other than… WOWZER!?
Sometimes words are meaningless and over-used, and I guess it’s easy to wheel out the feel-good jargon and have something of a love-fest when we’re in a personal development ‘setting’ such as this, but in the three (and a bit) years that me-dot-com has inhabited the blogosphere, we have never had such a genuine heart-felt response to anything on this site as we did to that cry for help. Clearly, I should write less and let you write more 
. It seems that many (many, many) people have (or have had) similar challenges and struggles. As a result, I have decided that next week we will explore the notion of worthiness in greater detail. In truth, there are many people who have never felt good enough, smart enough, pretty enough or deserving of genuine happiness; no matter how many books they read, workshops they attend or times they get told (how great they are). Yep, for many people the theory of transformation is much easier than the practical reality.
A big thanks to each person who took the time and effort to comment and offer encouragement yesterday. You rock. I’ll let you know who has a T-shirt coming their way on Monday. And to all you newbies, please keep contributing; it makes for a much better learning environment 
. Okay, on with a little not-too-serious instalment…
Ten Cool Things to Do
Today’s post is not so much a deep, life-changing personal development gem or literary masterpiece (like I ever produce those), as it is a few ideas, a bit of fun, some random suggestions and an invitation for you to join in the conversation by adding to my list (at the end). So, here are my ten cool – potentially life-enhancing - things to do…
1. Laugh like a kid. Find your way back to laughter. It seems that many grown-ups are simply too grumpy, boring, serious or evolved (dysfunctional) to partake in any regular – my head is purple and I may have just farted – (type) laughter. What a pity. I’ve known people for years (and years) who I’ve never seen laugh once. Shit that’s tragic. Especially when people like my friend Michelle (the one who’s dealing with her eighth form of cancer) can find a way to laugh a hundred times a day. A life devoid of fun and laughter ain’t much of an existence.
2. Spend a day without saying one negative thing about anything or anyone. Nothing. Nada, Zilch. Zippo. Not a thing. And don’t tell people what you’re doing. Don’t look for accolades, acknowledgement or approval. Once you’ve mastered a day, try a week. Then maybe you can build up to a lifetime. Hmm, just a thought.
3. Do something that scares you. Not to be mistaken with doing something stupid. Being chronically safe is a great way to learn nothing and spend your life in a holding pattern.
4. Get some muscle. Random I know. My mum is seventy (in a few months) and lifts weights four days a week (even post cancer surgery). She’s a total bad arse. She is stronger than most forty years olds, enjoys the social component of the gym, her posture is amazing, her bone density is way better than most fifty year-olds and the muscle she has built helps her stay lean. Giddyup Mary. Now, where are my dumbbells…
5. Get some crayons and draw a picture. How much fun is drawing with crayons when you’re not worried about what people think? Plenty. One of the things I (often) ask people to do on my two-day program is to draw themselves, on their best day, in their favourite outfit. We give them the paper and crayons, stand back and watch the squirming begin. Especially the blokes. Apparently men are too cool (self conscious) for such activities. Obviously the artistic quality of the final picture is not the point. At all. The point is the process. The point is doing something creative. Spontaneous. The point is to stop being adult(ish) for ten minutes, to stop frickin’ over-thinking such a simple and fun task and to immerse yourself in the moment and the experience. Use lots of colours in your picture and when you’re finished, write your name on the bottom and put your age next to your name in brackets. Just like you did at school. Feel free to lie about your age. Then stick it on the fridge. Or better still, the wall of your office. Dare you.
6. Video yourself. Film a five to ten minute video of you talking about your (current) life reality. Talk about your core beliefs, values, hopes, dreams, fears, expectations, career, feelings and goals for the future. And whatever else floats yer boat. Then… put the video in a draw for five years. Don’t touch it. Then… five years from the day of filming, extract it from your secret hiding place and see how the “you” of 2009 compares with the you of 2014. One way or the other, it’s gonna be an interesting exercise. I recently watched a video of a presentation I gave fourteen years ago. Yep, interesting.
7. Work as a volunteer in a third world country. One of the best things I ever did.
8. Learn to ride a motorbike. Yep, another random suggestion. I know all the mothers will hate this suggestion but please girls, just let me have one moment of irresponsible blokey-ness. Yes I know they’re dangerous but geeze, they’re fun. I’ve had about thirty of them over the years and I bought a new one two weeks ago. I did a cost-benefit analysis and my fun advisor recommended some new wheels and an excess of horsepower as part of my overall happiness strategy. What? You don’t have a fun advisor? Or a happiness strategy? Sad.
9. Consider a new career. If the mere thought of changing careers both terrifies and excites you, you might need a change. Don’t waste your talent, don’t ignore your inner voice and don’t settle. Of course it’s not always an easy, practical, convenient or popular move but don’t let a little terror stop you from pursuing your passion or chasing your dreams. I’m not suggesting that you resign in the next week (or year for that matter) but I am suggesting that – even while you’re in your current job or situation – it doesn’t hurt to dream, to explore, to research, to ask questions and to plan for a future that’s more rewarding, stimulating and enjoyable than your current reality. It’s my observation that far too many people are ‘surviving a job’ rather than pursuing their passion.
10. Help someone anonymously. And tell nobody (else) about it either. We know it’s impossible to be selfish and happy so why not invest some generosity, kindness and emotional energy into the lives of others? To give without expecting in return is one of life’s great joys.
10. b. (At no extra cost) Get your self shot out of a cannon. You’ll hate it but I’ll laugh my arse off when you send me the video!
And we know it’s all about Craig.
Feel free to add your own suggestions to my “Ten Cool Things to Do” list. Your additions can be as fun or as serious as you like.
xx
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{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
Hug Craig every day – even if it is virtually
Hi Craig,
Hang the picture hey….how many at the recent RYL are wondering where Hellen will hang hers?????? Actually that was fun even though I suck at drawing.
Have I hung it on the fridge…nope I haven’t…my 16yo son’s favourite question at the moment if I do something un47yo mum like…is have you had a stroke? Seriously HOW RUDE!!!!!! (does that stop me..absoulutely not…guaranteed to make me keep going lol.)
Have an awesome weekend
Hugs,
Chelle xxxx
Hiya Craigo,
Cool topic. Have to agree with you about the motorbike thing … they’re kinda cool … there’s something about them I like a lot (okay, it’s the danger and speed thing) although I’ve never learnt to ride.
11. Skydive. Everyone should do this at least once in their life.
I am proud to say that the very first plane I ever went in … I jumped out of at 12,000 feet. It totally rocked and when I have the opportunity (read: spondies) to do it again … I’ll gladly take it. There’s no other perspective like it … and the view is spectacular. Next on my list though is bungee!!! (Whaddaya mean risk-seeking behaviour?)
12. Donate blood. And plasma. And platelets if you can. While you’re at it, get yourself added to the bone marrow register. It’s an easy way to help people and potentially save someone’s life. Every donation of whole blood helps three people. And if you can do it, donate plasma too – just because the process is wildly cool and fascinating. They take your blood out, spin out the plasma, then pump the red cells back into your body.
That’s it for me. I was going to add get a tattoo … but it does mess with the blood donation thing. It’s not exactly life-changing, but it’s pretty cool. I’ll be fronting up for No.2 by the end of the year … hopefully!!
Have a rocking Friday everyone!!
Em
( ) x
I’d love to do #7. Maybe I could stick around in Nepal after my trek/climb?
>>10b. You’re one of those loveable idiots, you know that!<<
11. Speed dating. The concept scares me. But could be fun?? Or maybe the 'dinner for six' option could suit me better.
12. Go sky diving (I'm planning on doing this for my 30th in Dec, tandem jump). I've heard it is so much fun.
sure is…Ten Cool Things to Do
1. Laugh like a kid. Done
2. Spend a day without saying one negative thing about anything or anyone. Done – had the flu last week
3. Do something that scares you. Done – went ‘cyclying’ with world champions… this is where I laughed… and so did they
4. Get some muscle – Done
5. Get some crayons and draw a picture – does drawing on a white board at work … count.. .. i think so.. considering the audience
6. Video yourself. – done in lycra on a bike… and yep havent replayed it and dont intend to .. for a while.. so i can see how far I come… 2 videos this week and anther very soon
7. Work as a volunteer in a third world country. mmmmmm would love to do havent as yet
8. Learn to ride a motorbike – not yet but have riden on a fewas well as assit in the pit at races… and was at the time always my solution for a high.. now i actually work the bike….
9. Consider a new career – done… considering that is…
10. Help someone anonymously..done
10. b. (At no extra cost) Get your self shot out of a cannon. – will leave this one out and replace with GO DO RPM, RPM & more RPM
Love Kate ahhhhhhhh so tired…………
13. Race your dog on the beach.
14. Volunteer on a suicide hotline.
15. Re-imagine your whole, entire existence !!!
16. Travel to Australia and attend RYL
Adopt a third kitten, if you can afford 3 yearly vaccinations and have plenty of stuff you want destroyed at home including your favourite shoes
Along the lines of #8 … go shoot a gun (with someone who knows what they’re doing of course) ….
And …
Go camping with as little “stuff” as possible.
I love your suggestions and have actually tried some of them recently.
10 More Fun Things To Do
1. Leap tall buildings, and if that’s not your thing, walk barefoot in the rain and deliberately step into each puddle you see.
2. Designate a hall wall as the “art gallery” and draw pictures on it freehand.
3. Play with some finger paints.
4. Design your own Play Doh doo-dads to display on a window sill.
5. Collect children’s books and read them whenever you’re feeling a bit down.
6. Take lessons — learn how to play a musical instrument.
7. Volunteer to read to children at your local library two Saturday mornings a month.
8. Take an elderly neighbor out to lunch.
9. Pick up all the litter in a local park. (Wear disposable rubber gloves!)
10. Go skinny dipping in the moonlight.
Have fun
Karen
And if you can’t, at the present moment, volunteer in a third world country- volunteer in your neigbourhood. Opportunities endless, but there are alot of untold stories around (read: amazing lives and wisdom to be shared) in nursing homes, hospitals, hospices…and people like tell their stories, just not many people ask them.
Okay, I would also add, get a dog (remember how fun it was when you dog sat Craig?) Well, I just got one and it rates highly with MY fun advisor!
Put a ‘no junk mail’ sticker on your letter box- you don’t need the stuff in those catalogues, or the paper clutter in your house.
well, I am not sure how ‘cool’ that last one is, but your life will be better for it!!!!
Oh I have more- make chocolate chip cookies and eat the dough raw (hmmm, am I allowed to say that on this website??!!!)
Volunteer an hour of your time to help at a kindy/daycare/preschool and join in on the finger painting, waterplay, sandpit play or go down the slide with the littlies. Children are so natural in their play time, they have fun, laugh, cry, squeal with delight. Life is so simple until they get taught otherwise. We are all still children at heart; when we learn new skills, change our attitudes, try anything we haven’t attempted before…….baby steps; fall down, get up, try again. Splash in a puddle, make a tent under the table, learn to ride a bike or a scooter. Squeal with delight as we master it, sigh and then next…….contentment.
-Debbie
Get a pet! Nothing beats the unconditional love of a dog (well, cat if you must). They dig holes, leave hair all over the place, chew things they shouldn’t and my not so little darling managed to get himself wedged between the garden shed and the fence yesterday. Quite an operation to extract him. But I look forward to seeing Bobby’s wrinkled brow and wagging tail when I arrive home(he’s a pugalier and better still he has deeper wrinkles than me on his forehead). OK, he not the best trained dog and will jump up with excitement and persistantly nag until we go to the park. But that forces me to get off my lazy butt and walk – another bonus. And he doesn’t answer back – awesome!!!
J9 ()
Plan fun things to do on a regular and frequent basis. This can be achieved on a budget. Grabbing a friend, spouse, child, or maybe just yourself, and going for a healthy and delicious picnic lunch on a beautiful day is cheap. Visit your local museums, parks, etc. regularly. Take long walks in pretty places. Go camping in the great outdoors. Take music lessons, or art lessons, there are budget-minded options if you look for them.
My screen saver at work is a compliation of our camping trip pics and it makes me happy just to look at them.
My point is to have frequent, fun activities to look forward to. Don’t wait for a once a year vacation to enjoy life. Don’t get your only fulfilment from food. Talk about setting yourself up for failure if your only pleasure in life is that forbidden high cal dessert.
Having upcoming, planned activities really helps me get thru the stressful times. Spontaneity is great, but as adults with full schedules, it’s awfully hard to achieve. And take your camera so you can remember what fun you had
Hi Craig,
Love the ‘laugh like a kid’ advice. Recently, someone who will remain nameless (but her name begins with an ‘s’, ends with a ‘z’ and has a vowel in the middle) made me laugh so much that I had tears streaming down my face – mascara gone, dignity gone and may have had a little bit of wee. The laugh was so good I almost felt like I needed a cigarette afterwards. Very cool. Highly recommend it.
Anyway, here’s my suggestion:
• Create an Oral History (Sorry, it’s not what you’d think). Spend an hour or two with a video camera or even just an audio tape and interview an older relative about the major events in his or her life. Or even the little events. Ask them about what they see as their most important achievements. Old people can accidentally let slip the most fascinating and surprising details once they get on a roll. Just be prepared to cope with the revelation that your Uncle Bert was a cross-dresser.
Have a wonderful Friday, everyone.
Christina xxx
14. Be me
When I hear myself say “I should do ….” or “I have to …” I take a step back and either not do it at all, or wait until I am in the space to do it because I want to. It certainly changes the outcome and my attitude. Try it, its liberating.
Dianne
Hi Guys – lovin’ those suggestions. Keep ‘em rolling in.
And a big hi to all our new commentors – good for you. Now that you’ve walked through the door, close it behind you and make y’self comfortable..
That hand drawn pic of me at RYL2 AINT goin on my fridge
11. Be a model at a life drawing class – surprisingly liberating and facinating to see what each artist comes up with. Great way to learn to love the skin yr in in a big hurry. And I aint no Size 8. They even pay ya.
12. Stop and spend 5 minutes playin basketball with yr kids. Easy to get caught up in what needs to be done instead of whats important. Did this last night-had a ball-little fella cried when we had to stop cause it got dark. Bless.
11. Buy a colouring book for yourself and put your name on it together with some cool crayons / felt pens and colour in with your kids. They love it and so will you. It also helps improve their self esteem and make you feel great about yourself.
12. Get a hobby like making jewellery – it save you heaps of “moula” and make great presents (tip: don’t give away the first projects / pieces as you will be embarrased when you master the skill)….trust me! They are also great for kids school fates and mothers day / Christmas stales. Giving is getting.
13. Dance with your kids – pretend you are one of the girls / guys on some of the current video hits – now that’s interesting & make sure you wear very little clothing, just like them. Shake ya bootie. This will not only make you laugh but crack your kids and husband / wife. I always dance to “I know you want me” from Pittball and pretend to be on of the latino ladies, my husband laughs for hours. Tip – don’t be too reserved, just let it all go.
14. Yell at your kids when they do something worth rewarding….then tell them that you were joking and check out their expression.
Enjoy life – having fun does not cost any money and has no class barriers.
Have a great day.
Gullu ; )
But Craig you said we have to get out of our comfort zone
My advice – be strong in will and mind when others put pressure on you to change or do think what you don’t feel in your heart. I suppose the great inventors didn’t listen or we would not have the internet or electricity – people just have this knack for short circuting your dreams. Don’t let them.
Love all the suggestions – learnt to ride a motorcycle at 40, love it after being passenger for many years. Have to ask – what did you buy?
Marg
Oh, yeah, baby … love this topic! But number 6 wasn’t about what I thought it was going to be about…..
11. When a stranger catches your eye and maintains eye contact for more than one second, smile at them. A big smile. Huge grin.
12. Engage in teenage-style necking and making out – as an adult.
13. Hug with all your being. At the point when you would normally pull away, take a teeny shuffle forward, tighten your arms and give them that extra oomph!
14. Make a day (or longer) when your first reaction has to be “yes”. When your child wants you to dance/ play basketball/ colour in/ kick a footy/ play with play-dough/ jump in puddles/ play in the rain/ etc. When your dog wants a walk or your cat wants a play. When your partner wants to do something you’d normally opt out of. When a work colleague asks for help. When a friend asks a favour. When anyone asks can you do something. Just say “yes” and go with it.
Enjoy the weekend!
Suz
xx
PS. Xtina….. you’re even more beautiful with your mascara and dignity running all down your face, laughing your arse off. xx
11. Have a go at this – turn a picture, preferably a simple sketch drawing, upside down and then…..on another piece of paper, draw what you see. Don’t try and draw the picture, as you remember it or think it should be, just draw what you see. I tried this and it’s amazing – I could draw! Weird, ‘cos I actually can’t draw ( not well ) but apparently doing it this way has something to do with the way your brain ‘sees’ things and voila – I drew something. Cool.
12. Find someone in your life to thank today. Write them a heartfelt letter or email, even if you don’t send it. It’ll get you focussed on the good stuff.
13. Have ‘a swing’ at the park, under the trees.
14. Eat banana bread if you like it. Don’t count the calories.
See ya all – have a happy weekend,
Mon ( )
1) Look at any flower and wonder.
2) Take a drive along Going-to-the Sun Road in Glacier National Park in Montana (did that 6 weeks ago and haven’t been the same since).
3) Meditate on the aura of the panorama of Crater Lake in Oregon for a whole day.
4) Snorkel over Ningaloo Reef @ Coral Bay in Western Australia.
5) Snorkel with the whale sharks in the Philippines.
6) Lose myself in infinity.
7) Find myself in eternity.
9) Be simply simple with every passing moment.
10) Let a fly live.
j9. Agreed never really understood this thing until I moved in with a couple that have dogs..priceless.. one of there dogs has taken to me like a fish to water and I to him as well… It doesnt matter where I go, when I wake up,cook anything he just follows me everywhere.. not interested in anything but being loved.. When I get up at 5.30 (he has just entered my room) when I get home exhausted at 11pm he is there… AND he is well trained, he sits, stays but also has a great personality, gets really excited …doesnt leave too much hai! And it isnt that annoying having to show something else attention bar me … never thought I was capable of this…. .. I love the way that when i get home he just runs and jumps all over me.. and I dont even mind that he takes my brand new socks … he even sneaks into my room to take my new ones… I now have to teach without socks thanks to Ascot… he is amazing….
11. Pay Someone back for their kindness.
12. Swim with the dolphins – It’s very relaxing!
13. Have a massge.
14. Punch a punching bag.
15. Read a good book.
16. Play with your dog/cat etc.
17. Smile and a stranger (my 100 year old great grandmother lived by the saying “smile and the world smiles with you”)
18. Dont know about change of careers, it’s extremely hard out there at the moment.
19. Act like a kid – kick a footy around or something random.
20. Thank the people that care about you, LIfe is what you make it.
They are a few random and unrelated comments. I like to read peoples posts, the first time i got on here was yesterday after a very important person spelt things out very bluntly to me and has helped me to turn things around.
Anyway apolgies for the randomness of this comment, I look forward to reading more ideas and posts from others on here.
Have a good weekend everyone
K
Hey Craig,
Loved the ideas. I recently had a couple of friends over for dinner and while I cooked I sat them down at the kitchen table armed with crayons and cardboard and instructed them to be creative. This was really a challenge for me and being someone who is challenged by stick men drawings you can just imagine the panic I experienced at trying to be creative. The end result was some awesome drawings and one with just a flower – well it looks like a flower to me! I have since taken these artistic “masterpieces” laminated them and turned them into placemats and have had a set made for each of the friends for Christmas. Amazing how something so simple can cause so much joy and I must just say that I was really nervous with the idea initially as one of the guys is a psycologist but he is the one who had the most fun. Some guys and gals go out and do something really silly and childlike this weekend it really is worth it.
( )
Cheryl
Hi Craig,
I think it would wonderful to spend a day with you. Not in an office,not in a workshop just outside in the fresh air. From the first time I saw you on Channel 10 you made me feel alive even when I’ve never met you. You are such an inspirational person, so full of life, always smiling even when you’re expressing yourself in your newsletters your good nature and humour radiates through them.
Craig I don’t know or have met many people like you but I’m going to try to achieve becoming a person like you. If more people were like you imagine how much support there would be for people around us who are suffering or struggling in life.
So my addition would be for all of us to try to make a difference in the world and reach out to others.
Wow these suggestions are fantastic and I’m off to buy crayons, paper and colouring book… It brings back my inner child!
I love walking bare foot, jumping in puddles, but have cut it back a little lately as it’s not adult like. It’s great to hear your suggestions
My favourite is to “Dance like no one is watching.” I enrolled in a solo salsa class and realised that no one cared if I was slow to get the steps or turned the wrong way. In fact because I kept laughing (at myself) and smiling and dancing no matter what (even if I was facing the wrong way with the wrong foot forward) everyone was really supportive and shared in my joy when I got it right (class number 10 I think!).
Also, recently I was very depressed and I went for a walk in my local neighbourhood. I walked past a park and saw a swing so I got on it and swinged (a word) and suddenly I was smiling. So if you see a + 40 year old singing and swinging (not that kind!) in your local park I dare you to swing higher that me!
P.S Who remembers rolling down grassy hills or lying on your back watching clouds change their shape.
go hot air ballooning and jump out of it with a parichute and land in the water and jetski home
Hi Craig,
I liked the 50 points to become a successful person and will follow them (most of the points are already imbibed in me). I am an introvert but people feel I am an extrovert. I want to become successful as a person, Husband, Father, Son and as a human being.
I feel we need to add one more point to be successful i.e. One should respect the value of time….
HEY CRAIG,
enjoyed reading your ten great things to do… and all the comments.
My TOP seven:
1. GET TENNIS LESSONS. (or a sport you have never dreamed of playing
2. Start a vege garden and go around your neibourhood giving all your produce to them and expect nothing in return!
3. Go see a friend you havn’t seen in years
4. have a primary school reunion LOL (see how many people u can remember
5.random but make a card for someone on no special occasion.
6.go out on a boat get a bottle and put your name and address and phone number on it. Cork it up and see where it got to!
7. write a letter to your favourite celeb, try and find their details.