Get off the treadmill

I’ve been doing a lot of reading over the last few months, and a subject that keeps resurfacing across various topics is gratitude. A simple yet profound practice, gratitude has made a significant difference in my life. It's a concept that I'd like to share with you in the hope that it might inspire a positive change in yours.

Many of us find ourselves on the hedonic treadmill, constantly chasing after the next thing we believe will bring happiness, only to discover that it never quite does. We end up in a never-ending cycle of desire, where each new acquisition leads to yet another craving. It's a path to a perpetual, unattainable goal of happiness.

Gratitude, on the other hand, is the art of acknowledging and appreciating the good things we have, regardless of their size or significance. When we embrace gratitude in our daily lives, it acts as a pause button on the treadmill, allowing us to step off and savour the present.

In today's fast-paced, social media-driven world, it's easy to get caught up in the rush, always looking ahead, and rarely taking the time to look up and appreciate the beauty around us. It's reminiscent of the famous words of the great philosopher Ferris Bueller:

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

The day the treadmill stopped

I vividly remember a time in my life when I was firmly trapped on that treadmill. It was early 2018 when I had a dawning realisation. My values were primarily extrinsic, tied to external factors like status, salary, recognition, and material possessions – what we now refer to as "junk values." The pursuit of these things wasn't making me happy; in fact, it was doing the opposite.

So, I took a difficult but pivotal step. I decided to recalibrate my values (Step 1: bid farewell to Facebook!) and began focusing on intrinsic values while appreciating what I already had, rather than relentlessly chasing what I didn't.

The difference in my life was profound!

When I stopped to look around, I realised there was so much to be grateful for. This is why I make it a regular practice to contemplate the things I'm grateful for in my life.

I wholeheartedly recommend that everyone take a moment to reflect on what they're grateful for, whether it's something monumental or seemingly trivial. To help your own thought process, here are some of the things that I'm profoundly grateful for:

• I won the birth lottery, giving me opportunities others could only dream of.
• I was raised in a stable, loving home. ??
• I rarely wanted for anything (except that drum kit when I was 12!).??
• I was taught the value of hard work; ????
• I enjoyed competitive swimming in my youth. ????
• I was sent to a good school, got a good education and was able to go to university.??
• I made friends at school and Uni who remain my closest friends today. ??
• I had the privilege of living and working in America in my early 20's.
• I've been employed for nearly my entire working life.
• I successfully transitioned into a career in IT at the age of 30.??
• I've had numerous opportunities in my career, most of which have worked out well (so far).
• I found my soul mate and scuba diving buddy. ??
• I've had the privilege of exploring the world through scuba diving and experiencing rare and remarkable moments.????
• I worked at Sandringham for 12 wonderful years with a fantastic team of people.
• I continue to have the opportunity to evolve and change.????
• That frankly, I've had a pretty damn good life!! ??

The realisation of these things, along with countless others, has significantly altered my perspective. It's helped me see each day as a gift, and time as our greatest wealth and we need to be wise how we spend it. Being grateful has allowed me to reframe challenges, understand that life is a balance of costs and benefits, and to transform me into much happier person (not difficult I hear some of you shout!).

This practice is simple yet profound. I encourage you to take more time to be grateful. I promise you, it makes a profound difference.

Get off the treadmill for a moment

Now, I understand that there will be sceptics reading this, those who may think, "This can't be Craig; he doesn't share this kind of stuff." I get it. In 2017, I would have agreed with you. But today, I say this: Enjoy the treadmill! Embrace your desires and aspirations. Just remember to step off every now and then to relish the beauty that surrounds you. It's not about giving up on your ambitions; it's about finding joy in the journey and nurturing a deeper sense of contentment. You might be pleasantly surprised at the profound impact it can have on your life.