In the January 2011 issue of Real Simple magazine they have put together a “2011 Get-It-Together Handbook”.

The premise of the handbook is to simplify your life by having a guide full of easy and simple strategies to make your life less stressful, healthier and happier.

Just think about it…a simpler life. Don’t we all dream of that? Well it is right at your finger tips. You just have to make the choice to do something different.

There’s a quote about insanity that we laugh at when we hear it but it is uncomfortable laughter because we know we get sucked into the daily practices in our comfort zone. The quote is:

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. ~Albert Einstein

Ironic. Insane. It is mind boggling that we expect things to change or to have things change in our life even though we don’t change our daily practices.

WOW (within one week) yourself and for this week (even for today) make the choice to do one thing different that will make your life simpler or happier. It can be as easy as choosing one thing from the Real Simple “2011 Get-It-Together Handbook”.

What do you have to loose…a little insanity?

 The New Year is always a time for reflection and goal setting. Are you finding yourself stuck in the same place as last year? Are you living with the same tolerations year after year?

This week sit down with a blank sheet of paper and list your longings. Not the things you should do or need to do or even want to do. What are you longing to do?

Sit in a quiet place. Maybe play some classical music. Or spend time walking in nature beforehand. Now write without editing. Once you have all your longings listed, eliminate those that are totally unrealistic. Then pick one longing that is calling to you right now.

List several small steps you can take this week, this month, this year to make your longing a reality.

The goal is to have this exercise re-energize you and to help you live a more authentic life.

Happy New Year! Happy New You!

I came across that statement and thought it to be profound.

What it means to me is that you have to be in the right place at the start of your journey in order to get to where you are going. Are you in the right place mentally to make permanent change in your life?

That’s why January may not be a good time of the year to make resolutions or goals. It may be better to do it now or when you are really ready to begin the journey of change.

Have you thought about the impact your resolutions (goals) are going to make on your life? Do you need to change the way you grocery shop or schedule your time? Have you looked at past accomplishments to set yourself up for success? Have you developed a list of alternatives to triggers for unhealthy choices?

Are you in the right place to start your journey? Maybe you need to set yourself up for success by determining your goal, the steps you need to take along the way and your mode of transportation.

Are you ready? Are you taking the bus or the train?

One of the “challenges” in making change is the excuses we use…thinking “it is hard” or “I don’t have the money” or “I am too old (young)”.

Don’t let these thoughts define what you can accomplish.

To accomplish change (your desires or dreams) you need to think about the thing that you want to produce. Dr. Wayne W. Dyer states in his book “Excuses Begone! How to change self-defeating thinking habits” (Hay House, Inc., 2009), “We all become what we think about so it’s pretty important to pay attention to those thoughts.” He further states, “Once you master the idea surrounding this concept, you won’t want to use your mind for the purpose of excuse making. Instead you’ll prefer to use it to really consider what you want to manifest into your life and then visualize it as coming true.”

So keep your mind on what you want and contemplate yourself as you already are.

Why do we each year go through the activity of setting New Year’s resolutions only to give up a few short weeks later?

Typically, resolutions are about changing habits, habits perpetuated by “long established habits of thought that have lead you to use excuses as your rationale for staying the same,” as stated by Dr. Wayne Dyer in his book “Excuses Begone! how to change self-defeating thinking habits” (Hay House, Inc., 2009). By implementing the seven “Excuses Begone!” principles described in the book you too can correct your mind and release excuses causing you to stay in the past.

So change your thought process, let go of your excuses and change your life…free yourself from that which stands in the way of your future. What excuses will you release?

While a feeling of accomplishment is something to be enjoyed, you might also take a little time today to consider some bigger goals you could set to keep the momentum going. Simply give some thought to the goals you’ve accomplished thus far, and think about the next logical steps to pushing your level of success even higher. Then come up with some clear action steps you can put into motion once your period of celebration has run its course.

We can keep the process of personal growth going strong if we continuously keep reaching higher in our aspirations. When we first accomplish a goal, we understandably feel proud of our achievements and may be tempted to stop where we are. By choosing to see our goals as an ongoing process of personal accomplishment, we will understand the importance of setting continuous goals. As we keep stretching and growing beyond what we believed was possible, we continue to improve our life circumstances and gain a greater sense of confidence about our own abilities. This allows us to achieve even greater results later.

While you are enjoying your celebrations today, you can devote some of your positive energy to forming even bigger goals to keep moving forward or even leaping forward.

There is a lot going on in the world today and that can contribute to us feeling off balance. Sometimes it all feels overwhelming but you can control your piece of the world. You can read ideas from the article “10 things you can change right now” in Women’s Day (January 2010) magazine by Susan Sulich.

Sulich proposes “Minor changes, like a haircut, may be all it takes to spur you on to bigger ones.” If you are looking to dream big and take some leaps this year a small update in your surroundings can boost your confidence and motivate you to go for more change.

So shake things up as suggested by the article’s author… buy a new shade of lipstick or nail polish or new accessory. Maybe you can do an upgrade in your environment such as a new DVD for the car ride to work or clearing the mail pile on the counter and setting up a pretty basket to place your mail in. There is a similar article  posted on the Women’s Day website should you choose to read more.

So grab the reins and change one small thing. What will it be? I just bought a new shade of green eye liner.

What will I change next? What will you change next?

Happy 2010!

What are your dreams and goals for the New Year? Are you planning on taking small baby steps or is it time to push yourself out of your comfort zone into something bigger for yourself?

In a recent post from my Coach, Janet, she addresses this topic of dreaming bigger. She makes a great point about playing it safe or taking a leap for the brass ring. I too have been a supporter of small baby steps, but she now has me thinking that you sometimes have to shake it up and just leap…take a big step toward your big dream.

As you set your sights on your 2010 goals (dreams) are you going to pick the same things or push…really push toward the bigger dream?

So are you ready to leap? Leap with me for the New Year.

This July 4th brings thoughts of freedom and liberty for our country. But what about your own independence…your freedom to be all that you can be?

Are you still struggling with limiting beliefs, clutter, excess weight, unhealthy habits, or chaos?

Declare today your Independence Day and commit to becoming unstuck…to becoming the person you want to be…to living the dream.

Write out the vision for yourself and your life and then make the choice to live the life you desire. It just takes one step at a time…toward independence.

If you are interested in finding out how life coaching can help you conquer chaos and create harmony in your life, contact me about a free 30-minute sample coaching session.

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I recieved this daily inspirational email from one of my favorite sites, Daily Om, on December 31, 2008 and thought I would share it with you: http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2008/16540.html

This post continues the topic of making and keeping New Year’s resolutions. When you make resolutions you may often do so because you think you should. Like many others you may think that the New Year is a great time for a new “start”. Yet, is it best to base the start of “the new you” solely on the date on the calendar? The post referenced above shares a perspective between shoulds, coulds and musts in relation to resolutions.

Have you determined what your vision is for your future and are you doing what must be done to live your dream? Can you really make a true life-changing shift without focusing on your vision and addressing your beliefs?

Working with a life coach can assist you in determining and living your dream. For a complimentary 30-minute sample session contact me.

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