Do you ever feel like you’re going through the motions, stuck in a repetitive cycle? It's as if each day is a déjà vu experience, offering little more than the same mundane routine.

You might wonder if there's a better path ahead.

Not long ago, I found myself in a similar predicament, anticipating a breaking point. Would this lead me into despair, or would it elevate me to new heights? Thankfully, it was the latter. Over the past year, I have made remarkable changes that have reinvigorated my enthusiasm and made life far more enjoyable.

The weight of pandemic fatigue had left me feeling stagnant, trapped in a cycle of monotony. I realized I needed to shift my perspective significantly. Think of a film scene where the lead character is dully having breakfast while the background is hazy, then suddenly, the focus sharpens, revealing an epic alien invasion. That realization can be life-altering.

If you spend your days glued to the news, it might seem like the world is spiraling out of control. While there may be truth to that, remember: you are alive today, and today could potentially be the most extraordinary day of your life.

The five impactful acts of refocusing discussed below are broad yet likely to infuse your life with a fresh outlook, awakening you to a more vibrant and joyful existence.

Focus # 1: Struggling Against Things. Refocus: Strive For Things. Struggling against circumstances means relinquishing your power to outside influences, leaving you feeling trapped and powerless.

However, by reframing your perspective and aiming for something positive, you reclaim control over your life.

Consider your energy as a limited resource, like money. You can choose to spend it on negative experiences that drain you or invest it in enriching moments that enhance your life and those around you.

This shift transforms your existence from a passive reaction to an active engagement with the world. Many of us have built rigid habits that dictate our reactions, making change seem impossible. We often respond in predetermined ways: when A occurs, I do B.

Though many of us feel shackled by these triggers, your will is far more powerful than you may realize.

While it may not be straightforward to change your circumstances or those around you, it ultimately comes down to taking charge of your own life. You are unique, and the world deserves to see your brilliance.

How to start: Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. When you set a goal, treat it like a game with your own set of rules. The aim is to create an infinite game, one that evolves with you, where everyone can benefit.

Motto: Harder, Faster, Better, Stronger.

Focus #2: Blindly trusting your feelings. Refocus: Observing your Feelings. Some feelings, such as love and joy, are delightful and should be fully embraced. Others, like fear and anger, can be less enjoyable.

A key refocus is realizing that your consciousness can observe these feelings without being consumed by them. This realization can be difficult, especially in emotionally charged moments, but it can significantly alter your experience.

When you feel anger or fear, try to step back and observe these feelings as an outsider, like watching a film scene unfold.

Eckhart Tolle likens the emotional self to an angry roommate in your mind. Remember, you are not that roommate; your true self can step back and assess the situation, even evicting the negativity if necessary.

How to start: Keep a journal and practice gratitude. When negative emotions arise, imagine exploring your mind, engaging all your senses to identify what you encounter. Recognize that you are the master of your thoughts and emotions.

Motto: Be the change you want to see in your mind.

Focus #3: Thinking Passive. Refocus: Thinking Active. In today’s world, many of our activities are passive—consuming media, scrolling through social platforms, and absorbing others' opinions.

Switching to active thinking can catalyze profound changes in your life. Instead of asking, "What can I consume?" ask, "What can I create?" This shift fosters a richness in your daily experiences and banishes procrastination.

As you begin each new task, ask yourself: “Is this passive or active?” If it’s passive, find a way to make it active.

How to start: Stay present. Develop a plan and take action.

Motto: Forces in motion, stay in motion.

Focus #4: We cannot control what our emotions make us do. Refocus: We can control how we respond to our emotions. Recognizing the difference between experiencing emotions and responding to them is crucial. Consider the flutter of nerves before a public speaking event or asking someone out.

While the initial emotional response may be uncontrollable, you can decide how to interpret and act on it. You can either let fear dictate your actions or harness it to propel you forward.

Many people base their opinions solely on their emotional responses, disregarding how others may feel. This emotional entrenchment can lead to divisiveness and misunderstandings.

How to Start: When you experience strong emotions, identify and observe them. Make a conscious choice about how you will respond. Even negative emotions can lead to positive actions.

Refocus Motto: I cannot control my emotions, but I can control my response to them.

Focus #5: We are actors on a stage. Refocus: We are the playwrights writing the script. Shakespeare once noted that the world is a stage, and many people seem to merely play their parts without realizing they can write their own scripts.

Too often, individuals are influenced by external narratives that do not consider their best interests, leading to a life scripted by others.

Recognize the power you possess to shape your life’s narrative. You are capable of creating a reality aligned with your beliefs and desires.

How to Start: Today, reflect on a habitual action or belief. Envision how you could rewrite that script. What would the new narrative look like? Would it enhance your life or remain the same?

Refocus Motto: I am the creator and writer of a world filled with potential.

FINAL THOUGHTS To conclude, I’d like to share a poem by Mary Oliver that resonates deeply with this theme:

The World I live in I have refused to live Locked in the orderly house of Reasons and proofs. The World I live in and believe in Is wider than that. And anyway, What’s wrong with maybe? You wouldn’t believe what once or Twice I have seen. I’ll just tell you this: Only if there are angels in your head will you Ever, possibly, see one.

-Mary Oliver.