A Simple Process to Transform Your Life‏

Changing your life is possible. It only requires a few key ingredients: a plan, patience, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone. If you've really struggled with life, it can be helpful to start small. Achieving a few small successes will give you the confidence to move forward with larger changes.


Follow this process to transform your life into the one you truly want to live:


1. Choose the thing that will have the greatest impact. Examine your life and think about every change you would like to make. Then put the list in order from the most desirable change to least.


- Now, start at the top and look down the list; stop at the first thing you can change in a relatively short period. 



2. Set a goal. What could you achieve in 8-12 weeks around the topic you identified in step #1? Be bold; you're far more capable than you think!


- Write out specifically what you intend to accomplish, such as,"On or before July 15th, I will have increased my income to $6,000 a month by finding a part-time job."



3. Reflect on what has stopped you. Something has stopped you so far; figure out what that something is. Is it a lack of knowledge of how to do it? Is it fear? Capability is rarely the problem; most likely, you'll find that fear or doubt is at the root of what has prevented you from aggressively taking action. 



4.Address the issues in Step #3. Whatever has been stopping you up

to this point isn't going to go away on its own. Come up with a plan to eliminate the challenge. Including simple tools like meditation can boost your success in overcoming these challenges.


- A good test is to think about what you'll have to go through to achieve your goal; if you feel anything but positive and excited,you have some work to do. This is feedback from your unconscious,so don't ignore it - use it. It's a gift.


5. Review your goal daily (at least). Continuing to reinforce your goal will maintain its priority in your mind. Look at it every day and read it aloud. Imagine accomplishing your goal. The tougher the goal, the more frequently you should reinforce it.



6. Have a course of action. A basic plan divided into a list of small steps, or daily activities to accomplish, can be your road map to your goal. Big goals usually require a lot of action steps,but you can achieve them by following your map, one step at a time.Make a plan and work the plan.


7. Track your progress. It's important to measure how you're doing.For example, if you have a money-related goal, how much have you made so far? How much time is left until your deadline? Are you behind or ahead of schedule? Always know where you stand relative to the achievement of your goal.



8. Don't stop. If you don't quit, you can't fail.

Transforming your life is a noble pursuit and one of the most meaningful things you can do for yourself. But it's not for the faint of heart. Be patient - you're not going to change everything overnight. Knock off a few of the easier items first. The confidence you gain will guide you through the tougher challenges.

7 Easy Ways to Increase Your Mental Fitness‏

Have you ever noticed you don't feel quite as mentally sharp when

you do the same mundane things day in and day out? This is actually

physically true. If you use your brain for new tasks, it gets sharper.



Our brains have an ability to actually change structure and physiology in response to new stimuli and challenges. To give your mind this kind of food for growth, try some of the suggestions below. 



1. Play mental games. Crosswords, brain teasers, mazes, Sudoku, and

other puzzles are all effective ways to challenge your mind. So try something new and really give your brain a workout. Even the occasional video game has something to offer.



- These are especially good if they're new experiences for you.

Someone just beginning crossword puzzles is going to experience

more improvement in mental fitness than someone that has been doing

them for years. 



2. Exercise regularly. Moving your body during exercise accomplishes many things:



- The brain is forced to send stronger impulses to your muscles when moving vigorously or against resistance.



- The coordination required and the use of muscles not normally used both challenge the brain.



- The flow of blood and nutrients through the brain is increased.



3. Play music. Learning a new musical instrument is a great way to challenge your mental fitness. This is particularly true for someone who has never played a musical instrument. 



- Learning musical theory is like learning a new language. Not only is music an enjoyable way to spend free time, but it's also great for your brain. Now might be the perfect time to pull out the phone book and look into piano or violin lessons.



4. Meditate your way to mental fitness. Meditation challenges your brain by creating a new mental state. It's relaxing, plus it teaches your mind the ability to focus, which is a huge task for many of us. Meditation is a great way to improve mental fitness.



5. Read something new every day. Reading is a complicated mental process that requires processing information quickly. Try reading something new that interests you. You'll get the added benefit of novelty, enhance your brain function, and learn something as well.



6. Challenge your memory. Each day, take a minute and try to remember the previous day. What did you have for lunch? What happened at work? Try to remember what you did last weekend. What happened last Christmas?



- Make a list of 10 items and then see if you can remember them without cheating! Part of the memory loss sometimes associated with aging is due to not using our powers of recollection on a regular basis.



7. Watch less television. You'll be amazed how much better you feel in every way if you watch less TV. You can do so many things to improve your mind and body that you'll never get around to if you're watching too much TV. They don't call it the idiot box for nothing.



Your mental fitness doesn't have to decline dramatically as you age. The key is to expose yourself to new and challenging experiences on a regular basis. So break up your routine and try something new. 



Doing something new that makes you really think is even better. Turn off the TV and work on a crossword puzzle. Take up the guitar. Try a physical activity that's new to you. There are lots of ways to improve your mental fitness. You can get started today!