Early Momentum

We sure do seem to like top 10 lists. From late-night talk shows to the sports pages we find them all over the place. You can find one for almost anything such as the Top 10 Perfectly Timed Sports Pictures to the  Top 10 Funniest Quotes. But what’s even better than reading other people’s top 10 lists is to create our own!

I started doing this a few years ago in my journal writing. Not only is it fun, but it’s a great way to really capture the great experiences and interests in your life. It’s also fun to look back years later and see if/how your top 10 lists have changed over time. As an added benefit, you’re now ready to strike up conversation when somebody asks you what is your favorite X or when somebody asks you for a recommendation on a common interest.

So in keeping with the theme, here’s my top 10 list of top 10 lists to consider creating for yourself to get started with. Of course you can add a list for what ever interests you have!

10. Restaurants
Give some thought to your favorite places to eat at. Be it fine or casual dining, eating out with friends and family is one of life’s simple pleasures.

9. Books
From entertainment to knowledge, books can be so valuable. What’s on your list for books that have inspired, taught, and motivated or otherwise benefited you?

8. Movies
A common conversation point, one that can certainly lead to some fun debates!

7.  Music
This list is the one that perhaps changes the most over time. There’s also plenty of more specific lists you could create under this such as live concerts, musicians, CDs or individual songs.

6. Travel
Capture the places you’ve been to. Reviewing this list is great for reflection on your experiences visiting places near or far from home.

5. Dislikes
This might seem odd at first, but it’s good to determine the things in your life that you are annoyed by or even  passionately against!  It’s a handy list to have when deciding where to contribute your resources in the name of charity as well.

4. Interests
I have found that boring people are often people who have never taken the time to figure out what interests them. When you give thought to what your interests are, you will know how to better spend your free time. Additionally, it gives direction as to where to develop new friends and acquaintances.

3. Accomplishments
For motivational purposes, this is one of the best top 10 lists you can possibly make. When finding yourself feeling less than your best, you can’t help but feel better when you review a list of some of the greatest things you’ve done in your life!

2. Goals
This one is major! This is the top 10 list that will truly help inspire and motivate you for the future. It is also a list that will hopefully be ever-changing as you accomplish your goals over time and replace it with new ones. Of all the lists, this is the one to post in a place where you can review it daily!

1. Experiences
Creating a great lifestyle is all about having experiences! In fact, almost all of these other recommended lists stem from having experiences. So this list is reserved for the best of the best in your life. From trips, family reunions, graduations, activities or events attended, anything important to you is fair game for this list. Think of it as the best possible way to communicate to somebody all about who you are in 10 bullet points.

Well there you have it. My top 10 top 10 lists. Have fun creating your own!

It seems we are still watching more and more television. In fact recent Nielson reports say the average American today watches 151  hours of television per month! That’s about what we spend at a full-time job!

Now I don’t believe that TV is evil, nor do I believe that there is no place for it in our lives. In moderation it can serve us. For example, comedy television makes us laugh which is healthy and a great stress reliever. A great movie or well written drama can be entertaining. Again, in moderation.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of TV watching, and certainly the average person’s quantity of it, is in direct conflict with reaching our potential and living a fulfilling life. For most people, the programming they view brings no value to their lives. The saddest thing about excessive television is that we are living vicariously through strangers .

I find it interesting that so many people will sit at home and watch a sitcom like Friends. What’s happening here? They are watching fictional characters visiting one another, going out for coffee, and sharing life experiences. Really? How about developing some real friendships of your own. Go out with a real life friend for coffee, good conversation and the creating of life experiences!

Often times people fantasize about having the fine cars, nice homes, and fashionable clothes everyone seems to have on their favorite TV shows. Yet it is excessive TV viewing that is keeping them from acquiring those things for themselves. Sitting on a couch watching instead of doing will not bring you the good things in life. The ironic thing is this, it is our watching these people living the “good life” on-screen that pays for them to make it their reality.

. . . it is our watching these (actors) living the “good life” on-screen that pays for them to make it their reality.

The “reality TV” craze we’ve been experiencing for the last number of years is perhaps the most perplexing. I just don’t get watching other peoples so-called “real” lives played out before us instead of living our own.

Turn off “The Biggest Loser” and get to the gym!  Get outside and go for a jog! Lose your own weight and stop watching someone else improve their health and energy!

Turn off  “The Bachelor” and go create your own romance! If you’re married and dreaming about a better marriage, than go to work on it.

Turn off “The Apprentice” and go build your own business and entrepreneurial skills. Get out there and build your own enterprise.

Can you think of someone who frequently complains about being out of work, a stagnant career, or not having enough money? Often times it is these very people who can bring you up to speed on all the celebrity gossip, talk show topics, and who got voted of the island! What if they used even half of their TV time for self-development, earning money, and improving their lifestyle?

The choice is ours!