7 Keys To Make Over Your Life
October 30th, 2007 | by Jeniffer |Have you ever thought about changing your life, but were not sure where to start?
I made that decision for myself earlier this year, and here is how I started to figure out what needed changing, and some ways that I could do it. It worked for me. It will work for you. Try it!
1) Make a list.
Use two pages, one page titled” happy with”, one titled “needs to change”. Write with abandon, listing for now everything that comes into mind for either page. For instance, I am happy with my career path; it is on track and where I want it to be at this time. However, I am not happy with my weight (I am working on changing this).
2) Organize the list.
When you are finished, sort out that list. Make a note beside each item of what category of your life it would go under. These categories can include spirituality, relationships, career, physical, education, and creativity. Use whatever categories are important to you, in your life. Then write each of those categories at the top of a different piece of paper–I did mine in a journal I was keeping. If you prefer, you could do this on a computer, but I find I enjoy the contact of pen and paper.
3) Specify your goals
Once your lists are made, brainstorm ways you can improve on each area, what you can do to turn that “needs to change” to “happy with” (see my earlier post “How S.M.A.R.T. Are Your Goals” for tips on how to do this). Do not be afraid to dream big. Set the highest standards you can imagine for your life (remember the s.m.a.r.t. rules: each goal must be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant to you, and timely or time-bound).
4) Develop your plan of action
When you are finished with step three, assign each of the goals listed a time to complete. Some may be things you can do today, some this week, next month, etc.
5) Put those time frames on your calendar
Then work backwards, noting important steps along the way to achieving that goal. This is important work–you are planning out how you will change your life for the better.
6) Get working on those goals!
Many people fail to take this all important step. Even when they do begin to plan out their dream life, they don’t actually take the time and effort necessary to achieve any of the things they claim they would like to do. As you complete each of the steps to take you closer to the life you desire, the momentum of having taken action will propel you forward, to the next action. And the satisfaction of carrying out your life’s dream will intensify that forward motion.
7) Reward yourself along the way
Periodically, reward yourself in a meaningful fashion when you have achieved one of your smaller goals. Rewards can be anything you like–a walk by the lake, a trip to a different city, a weekend away, lunch at your favorite restaurant, a new outfit, or a quiet evening reading a book you have been meaning to read. (I love books!).
In the end, remember, how you live your life, and what goals you aim for in it, are all up to you.
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