3 simple ways to monkey around this year

Today begins the Chinese year of the Monkey – the Red Fire Monkey to be exact.

Take the characteristics of the monkey – intelligence, creativity, perseverance and toss in the passion of fire and sparks are sure to fly. This is the year when thinking and planning is no longer sufficient. It’s time to turn your dreams into reality.

So how can you embrace the spirit of the monkey this year?

Be ambitious

Monkeys are very smart. In the wild they design tools and with humans they are able to learn sign language. You are just as smart as a monkey so go ahead and take on a big goal, perhaps one that you have been procrastinating on, and trust your inner resourcefulness.

But monkeys are also smart enough to know that sometimes they need help. When they are trying to solve a problem, they collaborate. A few obstacles are not going to stop a monkey from finding a solution to whatever is standing in the way of progress. Have an “anything is possible” outlook this year. Focus your attention and persevere when things get challenging. Reach out to others who can assist you.

Be adventurous

Monkeys are notoriously curious. They are on a constant hunt for knowledge even if it doesn’t appear to have an immediate benefit to them.  That means they have to be adventurous. If you are going to achieve your big hairy goal, you are going to have to take a risk. Step out of your comfort zone. Be willingly to experiment.  Indulge your curiosity.

Be playful

As the saying goes, there’s nothing more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Whenever there is an opportunity to watch monkeys at play, they will always draw a big crowd.

Play for play’s sake is a fine thing, but it also serves a bigger purpose. A playful, energetic presence will help you see life differently. Laugh at yourself. Hold things with a light heart. You’ll be surprised at what opportunities arise when you are having fun.

Here’s a little inspiration:

Leonardo da Vinci was born under the sign of the monkey. He was a guy who had an unquenchable curiosity and is considered to be one of the greatest creative minds of all time. If you need a little help monkeying around this year, Michael Gelb’s book How to Think Like Leonardo is a great way to use the same principles as Leonardo to create what you want in your life.

Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment, share, like, tweet and/or pin this post.

What big goal are you finally going after this year little monkey?