Back to Article index To print this page, click on the Print icon in your browser.   It's Not Too Late   It's February. One month into the new year. How's your year shaping up so far? For many of us, February is when good intentions get lost and we revert to old patterns and behaviors. There is hope, though. Making changes and taking control of your life can happen at any moment. You decide when it's time. Having a great life is about balance, knowing what's important to you and having a focus for your life every day. As simple as it sounds, there really aren't a lot of people living a great life. Many of us are living every day, happy we've carved a little piece of the world for ourselves that is semi-ordered. Others continue to live hectic, stress-filled lives without any clue of how to change.   If you know somebody living a great life, use them for a model. Ask questions about how they created their life. If you think you're living a great life now, it can always be greater. Greatness is a process without end. Just as the virtuoso practices his art throughout his life becoming better and better with each passing year, so we continue to enhance the greatness of our lives no matter where we are.   No matter what your life is now, if you want this year to be the beginning of a great rest-of-your-life, AND you're willing to stretch yourself to have more, here are some suggestions:   1. Take time to decide what you really want. It is critical to your success - no matter what the topic or area of focus - to know what you want. Be outrageous. There are no limits. When you come up with your response and you know what you want, think bigger . . . what is your dream?   2. Take one day each month just for you. This is your day to do whatever you want. Renew yourself. Have fun. Be joyful. Act like a kid. Mark it on your calender in red ink and big letters. Act as if you are the most important person in your life because you are!   3. Take more vacations than you usually plan. Mark time on the calender to go away for an extra week or two AND take extended weekend trips. Go to the shore or stay at home with the phone unplugged.   4. Commit to a project you've dreamed of and never done. What is the project you have around the house that keeps getting put off for the sake of things more urgent and less important? This is the year to make it happen.   5. Buy four books you've always wanted to read and schedule time to read them. This, again, is about honoring you. If you need to write it in your calender as an appointment with yourself, do it!   6. Start a special savings account to prepare for something huge. The "huge" is up to you: vacation, new house, new car, furniture, . . . anything. Start now, decide how much you are going to save and how often, then just keep it up. You'll be surprised at how quickly the balance grows.   7. Renew relationships with family and friends. Make it a point to re-connect with people who are important to you in your life. Write a weekly note or make a call.   8. Every day, tell somebody how much you appreciate them and how grateful you are for their help. This is another behavior that can have a surprise impact on your life. Practice the attitude of gratitude in all you do. Over and over I hear from clients what a difference this makes for them. When I began practicing gratitude in my life, my perspective shifted dramatically. Give it a shot.   9. Raise your sights and increase your goals. Define your goals, double them, then make it happen. Commit to greatness and settle for nothing less!   10. Be kind to yourself and those around you. Be gentle and kind with people, especially yourself. Expect the best and trust you are getting it at every moment, even when it seems you're not.   Greatness is a state of mind - an attitude. You choose what the year will be for you. If the year's not what you want, decide to change it beginning now. If it is what you want, decide how to make it greater. Start now. You have till December to make this your best year ever. Imagine yourself living in greatness!      © Copyright March, 1999. Laura Hess, MCC 702.252.3657