So you’re not happy with the way you live your life!
Why not do something about it?
If you’re miserable, frustrated, angry or depressed then you owe it to yourself to try to do something about it.
But where to begin?
When you’re feeling low it can be difficult to see where to start.
Before you rush out to chuck the job, buy the Ferrari or trade in your other half for a newer model …
I suggest you follow these 5 simple steps for the next two or three weeks.
Hopefully then you may find that you have a clearer idea of where to focus to make lasting change in your life – to live the life you want.
Making changes doesn’t have to be complicated.
There’s no need for a gym membership and you can begin at any age.
But first you need to decide that it’s ok to spend some time focussing on what you want.
That can be a big hurdle for many people – somewhere deep down they feel guilty or selfish when thinking of themselves. They can’t justify putting aside even 30minutes a day for themselves!
It’s never to late to make a plan which aims to take you closer to your dreams, to living a life you will be happy with.
You can start today – it will cost you nothing but your time, thoughts and energy.
The simple steps which follow are not new ideas but by making them a regular part of your day they will:
help you build good habits which will support you
help you explore your possibilities
get a clear idea of the changes you want to make
begin to make a plan for change.
By taking these simple suggestions and making them a daily part of your routine you will already be changing …. you will be moving towards the future life you want to live.
1. Start the day well
Develop a routine which starts your day off well
Get up earlier than usual – start with 5 – 10 mins for the first few days gradually working up to 30mins as you begin to get used to rising earlier.
Aim to exercise for one-third of the time available
The choice of exercise is up to you – walk the dog, tai chi, yoga, aerobics (not for me!) – something calming works well for me but be guided by what you enjoy doing.
Then have a leisurely shower / cleanse /dress before having a relaxed breakfast.
If you have time – body brush all over and then have a simple oil massage before showering
2. Meditate Daily
Once a day – meditate.
sit or lie comfortably
scan down through your body
identify any areas of muscular tension -
take your attention to these areas and ask them to release the tension
once you are in a relaxed physical state
take yourself to a time and place which relaxes you – this can be imaginary or a remembered happy place
relax into a slower, relaxed rhythm of breathing
stay in this relaxed state for 10 – 15 minutes.
when you are finished
slowly stretch your fingers, toes and your arms and legs
then lastly open up your eyes as you come back to a normal waking state.
3. Keep a Dream Journal
Keep a dream journal. This is to record your wildest, never in a million years, dreams of how life would be in the best of all possible worlds.
Dream big! If anything was possible how would you like to be? Where would you like to be? What would you be doing?
The idea behind this is to let your creative powers loose on the future.
Be as specific as possible - Each day write down a different possible future path.
Give as little or as much detail as you wish. Keep each idea separate so that you can add to it easily later.
The aim is to explore the various aspects of possible futures which appeal to you – not to decide on one yet.
So be adventurous let those well-hidden dreams see the light of day.
4. Review your Journal
Each night before bed – read through your dream journal – if you’ve been making regular entries you’ll be amazed at some of the ideas which have sprung to life on the page.
Concentrate on those possibilities which appeal to you most.
Pick one and jot down any other ideas which come to mind. Flesh out the idea.
Gradually over a couple of weeks you will hopefully find that there are one or two favourite themes which recur in many of the possible futures. You will have discarded many of the ideas and will hopefully have identified areas where you want to change deep down.
5. Plan
The dream journal encourages you to be adventurous – to dream big. The review process builds on those dreams which appeal most.
Now it’s the planning stage – take each dream – and make a plan to realise this.
- What would you need to do to achieve this dream state?
- How long would it take?
- Identify steps which would need to be taken – the order they would need to be taken in?
- The timescales etc., etc.
Each night build on the plans you have for each of your favoured potential futures.
Then what?
The early morning routine you’ve developed prepares you to meet the day on your terms.
The time you’ve spent dreaming and reviewing will have helped you to identify where you need to change.
The time you’ve spent planning will have identified what you need to do to start moving in the direction of your dreams.
On the river of life, your dreams are the boat and your plans are the oars.
Once you’ve decided to stop drifting there’s only one option – join me – start rowing!
How many of you dread the snow and ice each winter? Each year it seems that the roads and footpaths are neglected while cash-strapped local authorities prioritise gritting to just the main trunk roads. For short journeys it would be far less stressful to leave the car at home when there’s snow and ice around. Or walk into town and take the bus to work. But even a short walk on untreated surfaces risks a nasty fall.
. What a great idea! – I’m ordering a set each for my family for Christmas stocking fillers and I can’t wait to try them myself.
