Day 4 - Empowerment - Why

Today is 10 reasons why I need to change my life now.

This exercise is designed to keep the momentum going and make me realise there is no other option, but to create a better life for myself and my family. Not later, not tomorrow, not next year - but right here and and right now.

1. I know I can do better - be better - have better - deserve better. So why would I deny myself another day? I need to change so I can give myself a better life.
2. To build strength. The stronger I am the more I can achieve. The changes I need to make are not hard, it just takes focus and organisation - an organised schedule with focus = success!
3. To find myself. I need to find the real me - I need to be in touch with me at my core. Not the me who does the shopping, cleaning, work and paying the bills. But the real me - my spirit my soul my true essence. I believe this is where real peace and happiness are.
   
4. For my future. I know what my future holds if I don't change. Mediocrity. Average life, without passion or excitement. Average life being an average person with average days. I will not settle for that. I want an extraordinary life. I want a fantastic life which is exciting and passionate, rewarding and fulfilling.
5. I will no longer just be a leaf riding the rapids of life - going with the flow and just accepting what is thrown at me. I am pulling out a great big oar and directing myself to success. There is a strange balance I need to find between - being spiritual and not resisting life (what you resist persists) and being focused and driven. I believe the two go hand in hand when you are in the right place - it is just a matter of working out how.
6. The future of my family. I will not have my children growing up questioning why life is cruel is to them, questioning why they can't have or achieve what the other kids have. My children will be brought up by a strong and confident woman who has her thoughts straight and can guide her children to the best of her abilities.
7. My rocking chair test. I pretend I am sitting in my rocking chair at age 50-60-70-80 etc and see what I would think and feel about my life decisions. What if I never try being a writer. What if I never hang-in there for 6-12 months and give myself a fit and toned body. What if I never tried my best at anything - how much regret and resentment will I feel for myself from my rocking chair..
8. I feel life is like school. If it is compulsory for me to be here the least I can do is do it well. Why settle to be the bored uninspired 'D' grade student when I can be the passionate and excited 'A' student who is proud of her achievements and likes where she is headed.
9. Basically I know where my life is headed is now - I have a pretty clear picture of what I will live like if nothing is to change. However what I have I got to lose from giving it my all? If it doesn't work the first time then perhaps it will the second or the third. Every try is still a learning experience. I want to have a life better than I ever dreamed possible. I am capable of so much more. I want so much more. I will not wake up at age 45 feeling totally lost and hopeless. I am going to create a meaningful life, I am never going to give up until I am living at a standard I think my family and I deserve.
10. To fulfill my dreams, goals and purpose.

How can I break through where I am now - and start living my new life? What practical steps will take me to the next level.

• Daily focus. To remember everyday that this day is going to be better. To remember everyday what my goals are and what steps I am required to take.
  

• Measurement. The ability to measure my success and progress. I am a visual person, if I can see on a graph, or if I can look at figures and see an improvement in my actions and results I am driven to continue and try harder.

• Start the day in a way that is beneficial. I hate seeing people rock up to work still pulling sleep out of their eyes and complaining that they haven't had breakfast yet. I always get up early enough that I can have breakfast and a few minutes (half hour) to myself before getting started. Perhaps I can still better this time. Perhaps if I work out before work everyday (and stop letting the fact that I work 12 hour shifts stop me - or make it all seem too hard). Perhaps if before work I simply review all of my goals....
  

• Learn how to control emotions. If I am in control of my emotions then how could I ever be anything but on the right track... Rather than getting caught up in the pettiness that goes on around us - if I can control my emotions - I will remain focused and on track. I will not become sidetracked - put off - or distracted for long periods of time. I would still expect frustration from time to time - but frustration is great - it shows us that things need to change and it pushes us to find solutions.... In fact I need to learn what all emotions are trying to tell us. With that information I would be able to read and guide myself a lot more effectively.

• Along with measuring successes - I would need to create a structured review process. Like I weigh in once a week for my weight - I should set weekly, monthly and quarterly targets and review the progress I have made - and then review what changes I can make to better my progress in the coming months.

Well I got more out of today's exercise than I had imagined... It has left me with thoughts to ponder.

It is amazing what you can come up with, if you just ask yourself some good questions...