Stop waiting for your life to happen

I was on the phone with tech support this week, and I kept thinking about things I might have done instead of sitting there waiting and not living my life.

Do you feel like your life is "on hold"?

Are you waiting for a spouse, inspiration to arrange your home, a fantastic career to fall into your lap, or a lottery win to plan your retirement? Stop putting off living your life! The only thing that separates you from those getting what they desire is that they continued progressing while you did not. Here are some suggestions to help you get back on track.

1. Pay attention to people, not what.

If you've been stuck on a goal for a time, try rethinking it in terms of "who am I" rather than "what I want." Instead of saying, "I want to drop 30 pounds," say, "I am someone who takes care of herself by maintaining a weight range of XXX, which is a healthy range for my height and age." Make your statement as specific as possible. It's worth noting that "I want to be someone who helps others" might refer to anyone from a grocery store clerk to a heart surgeon. Concentrate on becoming the person you want to be. Then consider what activities would be consistent with your wish "to be" rather than "receive."

2. Examine it

Did you know that 20% of your problems are caused by the other 80% of your life? Yes, it is correct! Determine what that 20% is affecting so much of your life, then seek to improve it so that it is happier, more efficient, and more gratifying.

3. Assign a monetary value

One of the most common mistakes I encounter among my coaching clients is failing to put a genuine bargain on your time, energy, money, and the "real estate" (space) of your home or business. Recognize that every time you say yes to something, whether it's a pair of shoes or watching a movie, you're saying no to something else. Always ask yourself, "Is this valuable enough to me to take up space in my life, or even to push anything else out of my closet, schedule, or bank account?"