How to Defunkify Yourself

I de-funkified myself this morning.

Interruptions, low-value activities, and other time-sucking administrivia (think health care enrollment and airline travel planning - FUN!) have dominated my life, causing me to fritter away my days instead of working on more important tasks like finishing my fifth book, working on a major video project, and reaching out to prospective clients. I’ve been cranky, short-tempered, and generally unpleasant to be around.

This morning, during my yoga and meditation, I was still not right. I did NOT want to waste another day being the victim of technology, bureaucracies, and other outside forces. Instead of boo-hooing about how tough life was, I asked myself one simple question: Who would want to switch places with me?

I could imagine hundreds, thousands, even millions of people all over the world who would LOVE to switch places with me. These are people without homes, without jobs, without loved ones, without food, and without potable water. My niggling problems with Delta airlines and HeathCare.gov paled in comparison.

If you want to get out of a self-imposed funk quickly, ask yourself that simple question. Put faces and stories to it. The exercise will recalibrate you to the many gifts you have – even among the gunk – and get you back to the joy of the present moment where you belong.