You've heard the optimistic statements: "Life is not to be dreaded, but lived." "Life is not to be merely lived, but celebrated." But when you are in the heat of the battle balancing ten projects every day, these good thoughts go out the window.

Rushing through your days, exhausted at night, and then starting all over again the next day, sometimes you wonder if you're making a difference or simply living the same day over and over again hoping for different results.

Time to shake things up.  Be a game changer.

Stop taking anything for granted.  Instead step back and ask: "Is this what I really want?" Look at the various events in your day and ask what you can do to attain different results, elevate your experience, or at least learn something new.

Here are some suggestions to becoming a game changer:

Mentally:  Shift your thought process.  If you are prone to criticize, look for things to admire or acknowledge.  Rather than jumping to conclusions, ask questions. Read more; read differently.  Ask someone with a different outlook to lunch to learn what works for them. 

Habitually:  If you're typically late to work or meetings, arrive early to observe what life is like before you rush through the door.  This could be a completely different experience, observing people and their interactions in a more peaceful setting.  Sit at different locations at the table; rearrange something in your office.

Physically:  You feel uplifted when you make a physical change.  Cut or grow your hair, buy new clothes, or choose new colors for you.  Stores have free 'personal shoppers' to help you escape from the look to which you're attached.  Females, go to the MAC cosmetic counter to get a new look.  Guys, if you're pasty white (which makes you look tired,) get out in the sun or buy sunless tanning lotion and apply carefully.  Warning, don't overdo it; too much tan is a turn off.

Off time:  If you love your 'alone time' away from the office, shake it up periodically with more intriguing interactions.  If you have to be surrounded by people 24/7, spend a little time alone to see what that's like.  You may find yourself more fascinating than you thought. Change your workout, your running or biking path, or sign up for a challenging event. Think of new ways to expand or enhance your friendships. 

There are so many ways to shake things up. You owe it to yourself to make today different from yesterday.  Your work is serious, but your life is too short to be taken for granted or too seriously.  Become a game changer today!