Before your life can change, you must decide you want your life to change. The hardest part of changing anything is making the decision to change.

If your life was perfect, you wouldn't be reading this article.

It is possible to start a brand-new life, right now, today. Know you have the power to create a brand-new blueprint for your life.

1. Where to start?

I recommend pencil and paper, not your computer, for real writing. When you do real writing with pencil and pad, you get clarity. Real writing brings to the surface stuff from your subconscious mind. It doesn't happen with the computer.

There are electrical impulses between the brain, the arm and the pad.

Go get a pencil and paper.

Write down five things in your life you'd like to change.

Momentarily, you'll make a decision to change three of them. Think of this exercise as picking a building site upon which to build your custom home.

You are choosing to customize your life; the building site is your inner self and you're going to create a blueprint, a plan, an outline to change three things about yourself.

2. Ben Franklin your three things.

To make sure these are areas of your life you really want to change, you're going to do a Ben Franklin.

Make two columns. In column one list all the pros of staying as you are.

In column two list all the cons of staying as you are.

If the column two is longer then column one then it's clear changes are necessary.

Do a Ben Franklin for each of the three things you want to change.

Oh what the heck, do it for all five.

If you're going to build a house on your new lot, make it a big one.

Settle on the first one and change it. Then move onto the next.

3. Are you willing to pay the price for a richer fuller life?

Make a list of things you're willing to do to bring about change.

Are you willing to:

A. Spend time?

B. Spend energy?

C. Exercise self disciple?

D. Plan time for meditation and discovery of your inner self.

Are you willing to pay the asking price for this lot you've picked out?

If you are, then make a commitment. In real estate it's called making an offer. You offer earnest money and a written offer.

In real life the offer you make is to you. Make a commitment and go for it.

4. New rules come with change

You'll need to create new habits. The old habits have not been working, have they?

For the next seven days focus:

A. Set aside 15 to 30 minutes every day for spiritual reading and meditation.

B. Smile and compliment one person each day.

C. Do not allow your mind to dwell on any negative thoughts.

Come on, you can do it; it's just for seven days.

Write your commitment, sign it and you're on the way.

It is true that people can change easily and instantly. Focus on changing your thoughts and actions; circumstances will change automatically. Don't do it backwards!

Reward every success.

You've just purchased your lot and created a blueprint for building the rest of your life. Give yourself a milk shake or at least, a pat on the back.

5. Why meditation?

Meditation is a time to listen to your inner voice, the one that tells you there's something more for you. Meditation is quiet time, free of distraction.

Here's what you do:

Get comfortable

Make a list of things you want to do.

Dream big.

Stop worrying about what others think.

Stop censoring your thoughts.

Maintain positive thinking all day long.

Walk, exercise, and smile.

Focus on your goal.

Eliminate distractions; stay the course.

Develop the kindness habit.

Keep it simple.

Get up earlier.

Simplify your life.

Summary

What do you want to be when you grow up? In order to change you have to change your thinking. Change your thinking and you change your life.

Learn to day dream. Write down your dreams.

Eliminate tragedy mentality. When life hands you a lemon make lemonade.

Acknowledge each small success. Learn to honor yourself, make and keep appointments with your self to work on your beliefs. You must believe that you can create a blueprint for living that will change your life. You must believe that life can look like you want it to.

It's your blueprint, and it's your dream home built just for you. Periodically evaluate your blueprint, tweak it when necessary. Remember the turtle, go slow and easy.

It helps to find a mentor. Find inspirational authors to read and follow. I love Emmett Fox. I always find just the right words in his writing.

Develop an attitude of gratitude and take action. Inertia doesn't create change.

Accept your weak spots and build on your toughness. If you think changing is hard then it is.

The end result of all your work will be Peace of mind.

Copyright (c) 2009 Wee Dilts