It’s 11:30AM May 5th at the commons of Amherst, NH. I am laying out a mover’s packing blanket, then putting an oriental rug on top of that. I have two folding chairs placed at opposite ends of the rug.
To the side of the rug, I have a four-foot portable table with two small vases holding newly purchased yellow daisies, a small tray with an apricot scone, a gluten-free banana chocolate chip muffin, and a tub of hummus with rice crackers. There is a camp stove to boil water for tea and a storage box with extra blankets should we feel cold. I am set for my first date in the social distancing era.
We could have met and just walked, or found a patch of grass to sit, or another configuration for talking. Those are all viable options, yet predictable. Doing this broke the monotony I was feeling and made this memorable for both of us. The other impact to taking this step is upping the bar of expectations going forward. What would we do next?
This gave me a clear example of the distinction between doing the minimum versus doing something to make it memorable.
Today was the equivalent of a blind date. We met online on a dating website and had a video conversation, but little else. I did not know if we would be together beyond this date, so my motivation was not based upon knowing I wanted to win her over for forever. It was more about how I could make this moment memorable and count for us now.
How can this apply to you, to your work, with your family, or in your day-to-day routine? Are you feeling bored, frustrated, exhausted, or in a rut? Break up the routine.
Creating a memorable moment is possible for most anything in our lives and is not limited to a special reason. We can turn anything into something memorable by doing more or doing the unexpected.
You could pick a lunch this week for your kids that you make special by moving it from the kitchen table to the backyard or making it a picnic on the living room floor. What can you add that would be different? Have everyone dress in a specific color? Make it creative, crazy, romantic, funny, or relaxing. Make it different. Make it count. If you do this, there is no way you will be feeling bored or in a rut. Give it a try.
If you are feeling like you are in a rut, spinning your wheels, or just resigned to having to do what you are doing for another five or ten years, consider my “Life Reset Workshop.” You will come away from that session with a plan for changing the trajectory of your life.
