FREE Action Plan

7 simple ways to make a difference in your life

You can begin to make a difference in your life and business with your next breath. You already have the blueprint for a more meaningful life and business within you. With some concentrated time, attention, and a commitment to your inner nature, you can begin today to uncover or rediscover that blueprint. Use this action plan and start today!

1. Pay attention to your breath.

Right now. Without changing a thing, what do you notice about your breath? Is it shallow? Fast? Slow? Your breath is your breath. Taking time to notice it each day, in the midst of business and personal life tasks, is a powerful way to honor your inner nature.

2. Clarify your values.

What's important? Personally and professionally, what do you value? Efficiency? Joy? Education? Recognition? Identify your Top 3 Values and post them on your calendar or dashboard. Refer to this list as you make choices throughout your day.

3. Assess your business and your life.

Are your values evident in your personal and professional life? Are you walking your talk? Take your Top 3 Values and spend an honest hour with yourself as you assess your life and business. Is there one small but high-leveraging change you can make? When and how will you do it? Go ahead. Shift something right now.

4. Discover what you love.

What makes your heart sing? What fills your soul at this stage in your life? Sometimes we get stuck in routines and wake up to find we are far away from doing what we love. If you had plenty of time and money, what would you be doing? Why? Take some time to write your answer (or speak it into a tape recorder). Find a way this week to start doing something you love. Review this tip often.

5. Focus on your strengths.

What do you do well? What comes easily? Are you overlooking any personal or professional strength that others see? List your Top 10 Strengths. Now ask 5 people (whose opinions you respect) to do the same for you—have them include character attributes, business practices, or life skills they admire. Combine the information. Keep the final list handy and review your strengths often.

6. Craft a clear vision.

Imagine your life as you want it to be 5 years from now...as if you were living and working by your own inner-directed definition of success. Write this vision in the present tense, as if it were already so. Make it clear and specific. If Barbara Walters were to interview you 5 years from now, what will you be telling her about your life or business? If you make a commitment to your vision (and I hope you do), carry it in a wallet, time-planner, or purse. Your focus will drive your life and business decisions and help you actualize your vision from the inside out.

7. Ask yourself, "What remains unexpressed within me?"

Look in the mirror and ask yourself this question. Make it a daily habit. This practice alone will help you tap your inner nature and craft your personal definition of success. This is important—the planet needs your gifts. Which gifts remain unexpressed within you? Boldly bring them forward.