Taking
control
of your
life is
getting
in touch
with your
values,
setting
meaningful
goals and
identifying
your vision.
To be in
control
of where
life is
taking you
means being
more productive,
dealing
more effectively
with stress,
having the
ability
to solve
problems,
handing
change and
developing
healthy
optimism.
Start with
these 7
steps and
you are
on your
way.
1.
Get in touch
with your
values:
When we feel
like we are
working hard
but not getting
anywhere it
is probably
because our
priorities
are not aligned
with our values.
To begin identifying
your values
ask yourself
these questions:
• What
is important
to me? Wisdom,
freedom, happiness,
equality,
security,
self-respect,
romantic love,
money, power,
comfortable
living,
fresh air,
beauty,controlling
others,etc. Rate
these values.
• Who
is important
to me?
• What
or who is
most important?
Be honest
with yourself.
• What
do I need
to do to feel
good about
myself?
• How
would you
feel if someone
you respect
knew this
was one of
your
values?
• Would
you stick
by this value?
• Is
it who you
are?
• How
is this value
affecting
your life?
Make
a list of
your 10 top
values. Of
that 10 choose
4 and of the
4 choose your
top two. From
this exercise
you will see
where you
need to focus
your time
and effort.
2.
Decide what
motivates
you:
If tomorrow
you knew you
could do anything
and not fail
what would
you do? Is
there something
you are passionate
about but
are afraid
of trying?
If you have
no idea what
your passion
is spend some
time reflecting
on it. To
start, write
down the types
of activities
you like to
do and the
types of activities
(hobbies)
that make
you feel good
when you do
them. What
are your special
skills and
talents ?
Don't be shy
? Usually
if it's something
we like to
do we are
probably good
at it. What
inspires you?
3.
Set Goals:
In order to
get what you
really want
you must start
by setting
goals. Goals
fuel your
intent and
make your
desires concrete.
Start by writing
the goals
for this year
in area of
personal relationships,
work, health,
finances and
spirituality.
List five
goals in each
category (add
more categories
if you like).
Then break
them down
into monthly
and then weekly
goals. Focusing
on what you
intend in
your life
will bring
it to reality.
You create
your life
? So start
now by setting
your goals.
4.
Take Action:
Goals are
worthless
without action.
If you have
written long-term
and short-term
goals and
prioritized
them, you
have a plan
of action.
Just take
it one step
at a time
and do something
everyday that
takes you
closer to
where you
want to be.
Remember however,
to live in
the present
and be thankful
for what you
have now,
enjoying the
journey toward
your goals.
5.
Manage Your
Time:
We all have
the same amount
of time to
use in a day.
Why do some
people a lot
done while
others do
very little?
You have complete
control of
how much time
you spend
productively
and how much
you waste.
Plan your
days and prioritize
your time
to get the
most out of
the time you
have. Use
time-wasters
like standing
in line or
waiting in
a doctor's
office to
catch up on
reading or
something
else that
is important
to you.
6.
Do What Needs
to be Done:
Do what has
to be done
to get to
where you
want to go.
Whether it
is a mundane
task or internal
work, putting
it off gets
us nowhere.
You are either
going forward
or falling
behind; there
is no such
thing as standing
still. Sometimes
when we work
on ourselves
we stop when
we get to
a place that
we need to
change. Change
can be difficult
when we have
to step out
of our comfort
zone. The
more change
is needed
the more difficult
it is.
7.
Self-discipline:
Self-discipline
is the final
step that
takes all
that we have
learned and
puts it into
action. This
is a trait
that for most
of us has
to be developed.
To reach our
goals we must
visualize
them as already
being accomplished
and have faith
that we can
reach them.
When you believe
in and trust
yourself and
have enough
desire, self-discipline
comes easily.
1.
Get in touch
with your
values:
2.
Decide what
motivates
you:
3.
Set Goals:
4.
Take Action:
5.
Manage Your
Time:
6.
Do What Needs
to be Done:
7.
Self-discipline: