Nutty resolutions that’ll get you out of a rut

Pig out. Refuse to look after the grandkids. And pretend to be someone completely different ...

All of us tend to live lives of habit, with routines we barely register. Autopilot becomes the default mode, and when that happens we tend to make unconscious decisions about everything — very often bad ones.

We instinctively know that if we became more awake, it could have a profound impact. And what better time of year than now to make that change.

How do we do it? I believe that by seeking out new experiences — and having fun at the same time — we consciously wake up more and live better lives.

So with that in mind, here are some alternative resolutions to try for 2017 . . .

JUST SAY NO

BuSy-neSS feeds autopilot. To be conscious we need to find space — and that means sometimes saying no.

The best way to learn how to do this is to find something you would usually say yes to, and say no. Deliver your refusal with clarity and lightness; it doesn’t need great explanation or justification.

If you always babysit your grandchildren at a moment’s notice, this time say no. If you always do the office tea run, perhaps it’s someone else’s turn. If you’re the one who does the washing up, dry instead — or ask someone else to do it and go for a walk. Saying no to an ingrained habit can be amazingly liberating.

By doing so we’re making a conscious decision. We’re also building more time into our lives so that we can be more awake.

DANCE BY THE LOO

BeFore alarm clocks, native Americans used their bladders to wake up at the right time. If they wanted to get up early they would drink plenty of water; if they wanted to get up later, they drank little.

I want you to do something similar to help banish your autopilot.

The average Briton spends more than 20 hours a day sitting or lying down. So like a native American, use nature’s alarm clock to remind you to do something physical. After each visit to the loo, get active for a minute — a star jump or two would suffice, or a yoga pose, or even a 60-second dance. The key is to do an exercise that gives you energy.

you’ll find your energy is more consistent through the day. Fitness brings confidence, a key to leaving our boring old autopilot behind.

BE SOMEONE ELSE

no one’S identity is entirely fixed. We are all adept at modifying our behaviour according to circumstances. So why not push the boundaries of who we think we are?

Try being someone else, maybe someone a little less conformist, more flamboyant, or even, for a little while, less conscientious. It could be a made-up character, or someone from a film or book.

Imagine their lives. How do they carry themselves, what do they wear, what are their favourite expressions?

you don’t have to do this all day — perhaps during your lunch hour or while out shopping.

By playing with different personalities we might find there are aspects of ourselves that have been underplayed and unrecognised. And by bringing these aspects to the fore, we can feel more alive and wake up to who we truly are.

WIN THE LOTTERY

PeoPle often hold themselves back from achieving their dreams by making up excuses. If only I were taller, prettier, better at maths . . .

The truth is we have everything we need now within our grasp to make our lives extraordinary.

I’d like you to imagine you’ve just won £50 million on euromillions. How will that money change you? Make a list of all the things you’d do — get lost in your dream world.

I often find that when people do this exercise, their first impulses are new houses and cars and holidays. But when you dig deeper, it becomes less about the quantity of stuff we have and more about the quality of our days and how we spend them. often people suddenly realise they don’t need £50 million at all.

one of my clients said his dream was to buy a farmhouse in Provence and write a novel. Then he realised his flat had a nice view over the park and there was nothing to stop him writing at home after work.

Don’t let your autopilot fill your brain with fantasies and excuses. live your dreams today.

LET YOURSELF GO

I WAnT you this week to live like you don’t care about today or tomorrow. eat ready meals or sticky buns, watch a whole box set, don’t tidy the house.

Sometimes, to be aware of how great every moment can be, we have to make our situation a bit worse. Pushing our standards down can help us reconnect with what’s important — and make sure we never ever let those standards slip again.

GET LOST

MoST of us are in almost total control of our own lives. We manage our time, money and, with GPS, our environment so that there are few surprises.

This week, go for a walk and get lost. If you know the area too well, jump on a bus heading for somewhere you’ve never been.

When walking in familiar places, autopilot takes over. But somewhere different means we look more closely at all the intricate detail of the world around us. Getting lost means we are drinking in new, rich and often surprising experiences that help us enjoy being alive even more. you’ll never be entirely lost since you can always ask for directions, so enjoy wandering aimlessly.

APAPTED by Alison Roberts from Wake Up! Escaping A Life on Autopilot by Chris Barez-Brown, published by Penguin Life at £9.99. © Chris Barez-Brown 2016. To order a copy for £7.49 (offer valid until January 7), visit mailbookshop. co.uk or call 0844 571 0640. P&P free on orders over £15.