We all can recall something that we attempted to fix at one time or another in our lives. We remember it because in a unique way we were able to fix it or try as we might we never were able to fix it. Some of us are better at fixing things, than others; some of us have certain talents that allow us to fix certain types of things better than others; and still others try to fix everything. The fact is, living is all about trying to fix things that we perceive to be broken. Some things like our car or physical things in our home are easy to determine if they are broken and in need of repair. The hard part is determining whether to do the repairs ourselves or bring in someone to do the repairs for us.

In other areas of our lives the need to fix and the process of how we go about fixing is more uncertain. We spend our lives trying to resolve, fix, issues. Every day we are fixing something; at work we continually use our fixing skills to plan, begin and then work through tasks; at home we apply our fixing skills to deal with emergencies that arise with kids, family and personal relationships. We are forced to be fixers whether we want to or not. We are in a constant state of fixing in our world of flux. Many of us settle into a life focused on fixing whatever we encounter. We reach a point when we’re outside of our comfort zone if we aren’t fixing. But life shouldn’t just be about fixing. We also need to take time to enjoy the moment and find satisfaction in what we’ve already fixed or what we don’t need to fix. Think about how your life would be different if you momentarily stopped fixing.

1. Shift gears. Change your thought process. Focus on what you have, not on what you think you need to get done or where you need to go. Take some time off from “fixing”.

2. Be Content. Be comfortable with where you are at the moment. Don’t let your thought process try to move you into the future. For now, just think about your current state in life and what you have to be thankful for.

3. Live for the moment. Enjoy the moment you are in. Do not think outside the moment. Let the past and future fall away.

4. Focus. Focus on not changing anything about yourself. Hold on to the here and now. Don’t let the future or past in. Don’t allow a fix mode to take over your brain.

5. Adapt. Change your thinking for the moment. Think about what it would be like to not fix things. Could you live a lifestyle without fixing? That maybe far fetched, but the goal is to think about why you fix the things you do. Think about whether you should change the way you fix things or what you fix.

6. Solitude. Be at peace with yourself. Think about the moment you finally fix something you have been working on for a while. If you’re done fixing can you enjoy who you are at that moment. You are only at that moment once in your life. Can you enjoy it? It’s like hiking up to the top of a mountain. Enjoy the view, sit and ponder where you are. Don’t rush to climb back down.

7. Complacency. Take the load off your back and let your guard down for a while. Feel the power of not chasing to correct what you find fault with in you and around you. Let it fall away. Ask yourself how can you change from being a constant “fixer” to a person that can enjoy what has already been fixed or for that matter never fixed.

Yes, we do need to fix things in our lives. But, we shouldn’t get caught up in the process of fixing things simply for the sake of fixing them. We need to understand the substance behind why we fix things. When we take a moment to think about it, we may just get to know ourselves a little better. Can you accept the challenge of enjoying the fruits of your labor and allow yourself to get lost in a complacent world of solitude? Try it sometime, you may just enjoy the break from your world of endless broken things that need fixing.