Time for Play

It doesn’t have to be that way. Here are five ways to rig your environment for greater success and happiness:

For maximum success and fulfillment, avoid passive screen time unless it’s something that truly excites you — like a blockbuster movie, high-stakes competition or niche medium that gets your heart racing.

2. Keep a journal.

Research shows that doing so increases gratitude, and that alone can make you happier. But keeping a journal also lets you know yourself better, which in turn will help you make better choices in the future.

3. Say “no” to invites that don’t resonate with you.

More specifically, that could be declining things that don’t interest, excite or speak to you individually. Obviously this could be a bad thing for people with fear and confidence issues or those who don’t already volunteer their time to help those in need. That group should probably say yes more to opportunities. But for everyone else, saying no more usually means saying yes to yourself more, which results in greater success and more oxygen to improve and maintain your own health so you can better help others. Moral of the story: be strategic with your availability.

4. Declutter your mindshare.

Being a minimalist creates an environment were you literally have less to think and worry about — fewer thoughts to distract you. That’s a powerful thing to both our productivity and mental well-being.

5. Play more.

Unstructured play time is as healthy for adults as it is children. The act of play lets our mind wander, which activates it in new and sometimes innovative ways.

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