38 Ways to be a True Maverick

Written by Christine Kane

kid-superhero1.   Go complaint-free.

2.   Stop saying yes out of guilt.

3.   Create your life with a vision board.

4.   Write more letters. Write less emails.

5.   Respond. Don’t react.

6.   Take a drawing class.

7.   Quit the job you hate.

8.   Do one thing different everyday.

9.   Smile and wave at the other drivers at stoplights.

10. Go on retreat.

11. Spend more time in silence.

12. Watch less television.

13. Practice imperfectionism.

14. Take a walk in your heart.

15. Stop being a hooker.

16. Stop getting hooked.

17. Experience your kids. Give them your full attention.

18. Shine big.

19. Bless people with love as you walk down the street.

20. Be compassionate with yourself.

21. Invest in your own growth.

22. Call at least one person a day and let them know what you appreciate about them.

23. Decide to have a great day.

24. Create.  Don’t get.

25. Revenge is boring. Forgive instead.

26. Eat your meals in silence. Be present to your food.

27. Start a gratitude journal.

28. Do less each day. Not more.

29. Do one thing a day that delights you.

30. Have nothing in your home that you don’t love.

31.  Learn a new language.

32.  Take naps.

33.  Start a blog.

34.  Expand. Don’t shrink.

35.  Refuse to gossip, collude, or talk about people.

36.  Say “Just This” throughout your day.

37.  Stop waiting. Decide.

38.  Be an encourager.

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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }

Jenny October 7, 2008 at 11:08 am

I’m printing this out, framing it, and hanging it up. If “Stop Being a Hooker” isn’t a conversation starter, nothing is.

lindsey October 7, 2008 at 12:45 pm

thank you for helping us ALL reclaim that word! =)

Sue October 7, 2008 at 12:47 pm

I agree with Jenny about the conversation starter, I love it! I also (thanks to you) use “just this” every single day. Amazing how it transforms a mixture of meaningful and seemingly meaningless activities into an actual life. Think I’ll be printing this out as well! Thanks!

Deb October 7, 2008 at 1:13 pm

And it only takes doing one of these to get people’s attention.

Christine Kane October 7, 2008 at 1:31 pm

jenny – love those conversation starters!

lindsey – i had you in mind when I wrote this blog! :-)

sue – after i wrote this, i used “just this” throughout the morning. it’s such a great reminder. (as I try to complete many new things in my work!)

thanks deb!

Josh October 7, 2008 at 2:40 pm

Good word Christine.

m October 7, 2008 at 3:36 pm

you can draw even without a class! – here are my hints http://www.creativevoyage.co.uk/node/46

Christine Kane October 7, 2008 at 3:39 pm

m – you’re right! thanks for the link!

Lance October 7, 2008 at 8:10 pm

I think…you’re a true maverick! (but enough inflating your ego….)

Smile and wave at other drivers. My kids will do this every once in a while. My first reaction was – stop. But then, I held back, and let them have their fun. And it WAS fun. Passing cars got into it. Many waved (and smiled). It was like passing out a little bit of good karma between cars. And…I join in sometimes…

And, I really like the idea behind “just this” – (in my head) – I’m all for freaking people out a bit – but not this way!

Kate October 7, 2008 at 8:21 pm

Aahhhh…..”practice imperfectionism”. I love it! Thank you.

Irene October 7, 2008 at 8:45 pm

Thank you for the great reminder.
My favorite Take naps.
I love “Just This”

Megan October 7, 2008 at 11:09 pm

What a way to reclaim the word. And thank you again for amazing weekend!

chris zydel October 7, 2008 at 11:12 pm

So many good things to remember…it’s like a list of deliciousness. What’s speaking to me now are silence and naps and of course “Just this” with my hand on my heart!

jimmy springett October 8, 2008 at 12:04 pm

Hi Christine,
Not having heard your music just yet, but I will, I am inspired by your positive words today, thank you and many blessings. In reading your heartful list, 6 keys jump out today that are insightful–1. graditude journal, 2. decide to have a great day, 3. shine big, 4. be an encourager, 5. better to forgive, 6. expand don’t shrink. Today, I am celebrating my first week on the (www) with my new art website. Thanks-Jimmy Springett

jannie October 9, 2008 at 12:48 am

#3o is my mission.

And was it you who recently said, “always be kinder than is necessary”? That one really sank into me and it’s so esy to live by, ’cause you never know when somebody may have had a worse day or be feeling sadder than you.

Diane October 9, 2008 at 10:08 am

Lance, my son loves to play “sweet and sour” in the car. With the window rolled down he waves and yells “Hi!” to people walking by. If they wave back it is a “sweet” if they don’t wave back it is a “sour.” The goal is to collect more sweets than sours and since he has been playing the sweets have always won.

Christina C. October 10, 2008 at 7:32 am

Thanks Christine,
I am printing this out and taking it to work this morning.

BTW to a job I love…the picture of the true maverick above looks like the population I work with…that in itself made me smile this morning.

Unfortunately not all the staff I work with are rowing the same boat and that is OK we are all in the process of change, and if one person is affected by this list then all is good.

serenity October 12, 2008 at 1:36 pm

you probably already have seen this- but it proves you’re a maverick if llamas rush over to hear you sing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD2oNJU3H8U

Dayna October 14, 2008 at 1:25 am

Oh wow! I’ve just found your blog and it is super insprio ♥ You’re an inspiration, darling!

xox

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