Here you go:
- “Atomic Habits” by James Clear is a worthwhile read. You won’t regret sitting on your bum, reading this book, and taking notes, that you can re-read later.
- Rewatch “Rocky” (1976) for the four-thousandth time. Rocky’s underdog story is pure grit and heart that still affects us no matter how many times we watch it.
- But if you sit any longer on your bum, you will need to watch it all over again to recharge the kick start this movie is supposed to give you.
- Take this course while sitting on your tushy at home, in Starbucks, or on the bidet: “The Science of Well-Being” (Yale, via Coursera). It is free no matter where you sit.
- Turn your happiness into a test tube – a science experiment, if you will – and become happy right where you are, right now. Don’t worry. Be happy — no matter what miserable task you need to do today.
- Study philosopher Marcus Aurelius and his “Meditations.” “Meditations” teaches you to focus on what’s in your control and let go of the rest. It is a mental reset for pushing forward.
- It may even motivate you to get off your dairy air.
- Read “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl. This is a Holocaust survivor’s take on finding purpose in suffering. Supposedly, it is heavy but incredibly motivating if you need a profound pop in the posterior.
- (I haven’t read it. It sounds like it would upset me.)
- Watch “The Pursuit of Happyness” (2006). Will Smith portrays Chris Gardner’s relentless hustle through homelessness to success.
- It is hard hitting and inspires action, so watch the ending on a day your haunches are stiff from sitting.
- Study Carol Dweck’s “Mindset.” Dweck is a psychologist known for what she calls a “growth mindset.”
- The growth mindset’s tenet states that when you believe you can improve, your efforts will be boosted over time.
- The “over time” part may even let you sit a little bit longer.
- Take another course: “Learning How to Learn” from Coursera. (Maybe we should have started here.)
- In this course, Barbara Oakley and Terrence Sejnowski demystify focus and productivity.
- Perfect for anyone stuck in a beanbag chair.
- Study philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, whose book “Zarathustra” urges us to transcend mediocrity and become an “Übermensch,” a self-made ideal of strength and creativity.
- After reading this, you may actually do something, perhaps even from your sunken chair.
- Read “Drive” by Daniel Pink. When you know what really motivates you, you can motivate yourself and get your hindquarters free at last!
After you’ve completed all 10 of these brilliant strategies and feel accomplished, wrestle yourself out of that beanbag sleeper and slop down a Belgian chocolate ice cream cone with a scoop of raspberry sorbet and rainbow jimmies.
After all, it is only a five-minute drive to Scoopapalooza, the best ice cream parlor in town. Don’t be lazy. Give yourself a treat.
It will taste so good. You will be licking and smacking your lips.
And besides, you deserve it, after all that hard work.
Are you ready for another 10 genius strategies to help you reach your goals?
Take me or leave me; or, as is the usual order of things, both.
Dorthy Parker
