The Joy of Anticipation

Having something exciting on your calendar can make all the difference.

Booking events in advance give us something to anticipate. voronaman/Shutterstock

Life’s an adventure; it’s full of ups and downs, joys and sorrows. Sometimes, it’s teeming with delight and wonder, and other times, it can seem busy, stressful, overwhelming, sad, challenging, or even monotonous. One simple way to sprinkle some sweetness through it all is to always have something to look forward to.

If you’ve been hesitating to book that trip, plan that party, buy those tickets, or schedule that get-together, do it now. It can motivate you through tough times, fuel you through hard work, and cheer you up when you’re down. The sooner it’s on your calendar, the sooner you can begin reaping the benefits of having something to look forward to.

Joy of Anticipation

Anticipation is joyful in and of itself. Imagine that you’re planning a big family vacation to a place where your whole crew has always dreamed of going. When you book it well in advance, you give yourself and your family the opportunity to revel in the joyful anticipation of the trip, effectively extending the benefits of the experience.

You can count down the days, enjoy plenty of time to prepare and gather what you’ll need, learn more about the destination, and enjoy always knowing that even through a slog you’ve got something great to look forward to.

Motivation of a Deadline

For many people, simply having something important to look forward to on their calendar motivates them to stay on top of things and get their work done.

Continuing with the example of a family vacation, you would likely prefer to not go on vacation with a lot of unfinished business weighing on your mind. Before vacation, you might clear out your email inbox, make sure that all of your bills are paid, finish ongoing projects, and close any open loops that you can before you head out.

You want to have the decks cleared so that you can forget about work and regular responsibilities and enjoy relaxation and quality time with your family.

Raised Standards

When you’re looking forward to something significant, you want to show up at your best. Having something to look forward to might propel you to improve in one way or another.

You might decide to rein in your fitness habits so that you have ample energy to make the most of your upcoming experience. You might update your wardrobe, clean your home, refine a skill, or better manage your money in anticipation of the important event that you’re looking forward to.

Having something to look forward to can unlock all sorts of hidden potential within you.

Decisive Action

You might also find that having something to look forward to might decrease any tendency you have toward procrastination. You may be driven to action to finally pull the trigger on taking that class you’ve wanted to take or calling that friend you’ve lost touch with. You may also simply ride the momentum of excitement and make more things happen in your life.

Zest for Life

Having something to look forward to can awaken an energy inside of you. You may find yourself more enthusiastic and optimistic on a day-to-day basis. As the aforementioned benefits manifest in your life, you may find your overall zest for life on the upswing.

Fresh Perspective

Having something to look forward to can also offer you a fresh perspective. Whether you’re anticipating a change of scenery, taking a leap out of your comfort zone, and embracing a sense of adventure—or you’re deepening your personal relationships and finding greater appreciation for the people in your life—having something to look forward to can open you up to fresh perspectives.