25 Ways to Seize your Day

Most of us are well-acquainted with the ancient Roman phrase "Carpe Diem" and know that it's generally translated as meaning "Seize the day".

The expression encourages capturing a moment and viewing it as an opportunity to take action. But it can be easy to think of reasons and excuses for putting off pursuing an idea or a dream.

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"With sunrise comes the start of a new day

and with a new day,

an opportunity for a new start"

~o~o~o~o~o~

What is the purpose of a "Carpe Diem" attitude in your life?

A "Seize the day" approach encourages us to make something happen, to be able to act on the world around us, and to exercise our self-efficacy, personal capabilities, and competencies.

It's about taking action rather than just thinking or wishing.

Taking action can be:

• formulating a plan

• talking to someone who has useful information or experience you can use to achieve your goal

• starting some research

• booking an experience

• calling that person

• prioritizing your calendar in order to dedicate this time to do what you need or want

• a willingness to have a go; to remain open; focusing on what could be good about this action or idea.

• taking action; moving; taking the first step

• projecting into the future to imagine how you'd feel if you actually followed through and tried something out, and then contrast that with how you'd feel if you never made the effort

25 practical examples of "Carpe Diem"

*Feel free to add to this list

1. Take steps to make that life change you have been thinking about for yourself i.e. career path, home life, relationship, personal happiness, life purpose, personal development, or your mental or physical health

2. Resolve a conflict with a family member, a colleague, or a friend that you no longer want marring the relationship

3. Enrol in that course you have wanted to do for a long time

4. Explore your creative side; take up a musical instrument, get painting and drawing, give that interesting recipe a go, or redesign your living environment

5. Investigate a career change

6. Clear out things your no longer use or wear

7. Take the challenge. Try something new that you've not previously had the courage to try

8. Book a trip to the place you've wanted to visit

9. Start a plan to change a behaviour or perspective you no longer want in your life

10. Take a moment for self-care and check in with how you're feeling in your own skin

11. Take a moment to be completely present and really notice beauty around you

12. Learn a new skill that you've always wanted to master

13. Lock in a day and stop procrastinating. Start that project you’ve been thinking of

14. Decide to fix up a couple of those little jobs that need attention around the house

15. Face something you've been afraid of and venture a little out of your comfort zone

16. Decide to experiment with something; it may be an idea, or something you wish to out your own mark on

17. Let someone know what you feel inside instead of hiding it, or finding its expression in unwanted behaviours

18. Focus on firming up the positivity in your life. If your personal narrative is full of negatives and self-defeating statements, identify them, and investigate how to incorporate some positive aspects into your own story

19. Explore. Have an adventure. Take yourself somewhere you've never been. It doesn't have to be somewhere exotic. There are always little gems to discover right there in your own patch.

20. Get involved in volunteering with a cause close to your heart

21. Initiate a conversation with someone you don't already know

22. Perform an act of kindness, either openly or anonymously

23. Create a realistic framework for a better work/life balance

24. Change an organizational system related to home or work life that you've put up with for a long time even though it has always annoyed you because it's inefficient or disorganised

25. Make a decision to let go of what no longer serves you in order to focus on the things that enrich your life and give it meaning. This may include regrets, grudges, anger, jealousy, pessimism, or resentment