Do you have a plan to get from where you are to where you want to be? Do you have all the skills you need to get that promotion or that raise you want? Do you make time for the people who are important to you? Are you excited about your future, or do you just want to "stop the world so you can get off"?

The secret to having the life you desire is hidden in your daily routine. As the saying goes, "if you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting what you've always gotten". In issue #2, I discussed the importance of planning as a factor in achieving your goals. As part of your planning, I suggested incorporating the "ten habits" in your schedule. In this issue I am going to focus on the ten habits and how they can help you realize your dreams. To find out more, please read on...

At heart we are all creatures of habit. To change our lives, we must change our routines. As many psychological studies and best-selling self-help books have shown us, successful people have different habits than unsuccessful people. For us to live our lives to the fullest, we must adopt those thoughts and actions that serve us and let go of those that don't.

How can we do that? My own experience has taught me that the practice of the ten daily habits can be a strong foundation for growth and a powerful catalyst for change. The idea is simple; identify new habits that will enhance some area of your life - health, career, relationships, spirituality, etc. - and select ten of them to incorporate in your daily
schedule. People often say, "I can't add one more thing to my day; I'm too busy already." I would ask, "Does that busyness bring you the results you want?" Perhaps the changes you need to make are more about "how" than "what" you do. Or, maybe you are holding on to an activity that is no longer in line with your goals or values. No one said change is easy, but remember "if you keep doing what you've always done..."

Let us say, for example, you would like to have more energy in the afternoon. Perhaps changing your diet and exercising would be the answer. A little meditation or prayer time might also be beneficial.

Developing the skills you need to get a promotion at work might entail taking a class or studying on your own. I suggested one of my clients read his materials into an tape recorder so he could listen to them while going from job to job.

Staying in touch with your friends may involve a phone call, a round of golf or a lunch date. How are you going to fit it in? Schedule it to make it a habit. (It is interesting that bad habits are so easy to pick, up isn't it?)

My ten habits include eating five fruits and vegetables a day, exercising, reading the Bible, returning phone calls, drinking plenty of water, journaling, and doing a load of laundry every day so it does not pile up.

I do not accomplish all ten habits every day. However, the ones I miss I make sure to begin with the following day. With this practice, I'm building good habits that take me in the direction I want to go in my life. Once any of these habits truly does become a habit, I can drop it off my list of ten and add another activity or behavior that I would like to incorporate into
my lifestyle.