In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it is easy to get caught in the merry-go-round of hectic schedules, deadlines, and to-do lists. In the process, we often forget about the things that are important to us or that bring us joy. We even forget to take care of ourselves.

Joy is an emotion that provides a physical sensation in the body. There are many things that can bring us joy such as taking a vacation, spending time with friends, reading a good book, or taking a walk in nature.

There are also many ways that we can express joy. After all, it’s what makes life more enjoyable and more beautiful. It makes us feel confident, happy, powerful, and most importantly fulfilled.

4 STEPS FOR CREATING MORE JOY IN YOUR LIFE

Follow these four simple steps to create more joy in your life, today.

STEP 1 – LIST THE POSSIBILITIES 

Make a list of at least 10 joyful experiences you would like to bring into your life. This could be a service (i.e. massage), an activity (i.e. ski trip), or simply a special event (i.e. having friends over for a home-cooked dinner). The idea is to think of things that would be nurturing, satisfying, and enjoyable.

You do not want to list things that are already part of your life, but rather a list of things that are missing, or things that you have not had time for in your current schedule. Feel free to imagine things that you would enjoy, even if they don’t seem very practical.

STEP 2 – LIST THE OBSTACLES 

Now, take your list of possibilities and explore the roadblocks or obstacles that keep you from having those things in your life. For each of the possibilities that you listed, write your excuses, and more subtle reasons that might be stopping you from having the experience.

Explore fears of having it, personal resistance, outside (and inside) pressures, limiting beliefs, etc. Explore your mind beyond the surface obstacles.

STEP 3 – EXPLORE THE OPPORTUNITIES

Narrow your list down to five items that seem the most promising, or most important to you now. For each item here, explore ideas of what it would take to make it happen.

How might you initiate the process to bring it about? Who might you contact? What requests might you need to make of others? How might you generate the necessary resources? Simply explore some first steps you might take.

STEP 4 – MAKE A COMMITMENT 

For at least three of the above possibilities set a date “by when” you will have created this experience for yourself. You don’t have to know how it will all come together. Once there is a commitment, the creative process brings things together, opportunities that may have otherwise alluded you.

Write down the date for each of these three items. Now, put these dates on your calendar so you can plan the details and make them happen, and circle the date.

Honor yourself! Remember, you are important and worthy of experiencing joy and happiness every single day.

Want more? Check out these 24 Questions to Find Your Purpose (Yes, Really!).