1. Everyday from today ask yourself the question: Why am I on
this planet? What is my real purpose here? What is it that I can do
exceptionally well that will make a real difference? What do I have a burning
passion and the knack to do?
2. Keep asking yourself these questions everyday. You
most likely will get no answer, but if you keep asking the questions, you will
automatically live with these questions in mind and you will eventually find
yourself living the answers.
3. Make a list of the things you value in life. I value
my Martin guitar, my books, the members of my family, my spiritual development,
and my health and energy – you get the idea. Write down the 11 things you value
most and see if the way you spend your time reflects this.
4. Write down a list of the values and principles that
govern your life or that you want to govern your life. I have my list right
here with me as I write this. One of them is integrity, the rest are: love,
happiness, patience, self control, gentleness with others – on and on…
5. Make a list of your defects, faults, habits, and
behaviors you would like to change. Study them and then prepare to drop them.
Get to know yourself as you are because you cannot leave a place you haven’t
been.
6. Make a list of goals you want to accomplish in the
next year, and include in that list one or two emotions with which you want to
characterize your life. I hope happiness is one of them. Remember that your
goals must be clear, specific, and measurable. Write them down. Work on
yourself to lift you up because life is tearing you down through the natural
law of entropy or deterioration.
7. Make sure that your goals are linked to your purpose
with no hint of conflict.
8. Use this stress management technique. At the first
sign of tension, or of a threatening or difficult situation, tense your body
tightly, and take a deep breath in through your nose. Then relax your muscles
as you breathe out and feel your arms and legs getting heavy and warm. You can
practice this exercise several times during the day even if there is no
tension.
9. Treat sleep with ceremony. It is an important activity
and aim to do it for 7 -8 hours a night.
10. Are you overweight? At least 75% of Americans are.
Weigh yourself today and write down the number of pounds you resolve to lose in
the next 6 months.
11. Aim to lose no more than 2 lbs. per week
12. Do not go on a diet. Ditch sugar and carbohydrates
that are not replete with fiber.
13. List the 5 food items that will likely present a
problem to your progress e.g. ice cream. For me it is peanut butter.
14. Look at that list of foods to avoid and resolve not
to eat anything on that list unless you’re about to faint. After all, what has
become of will power? They say is has been trampled by skill power so wake up
your will power today and remember, “Alas! by some degree of woe, We every
bliss must gain; The heart can ne’er a transport know That never feels a pain.”
15. Today get rid of all fattening foods in the house and
refuse to buy any thing fattening. Weight loss begins in the supermarket not at
the table.
16. Do not drink your calories as in sweetened drinks or
juices and do not consume artificially sweetened beverages.
17. Exercise for at least 30 minutes every day.
18. Beware of hunger – hunger can make you fat – don’t
miss meals, anticipate your activities and schedule and plan.
19. Celebrate one day a week by eating and drinking
whatever you like.
20. Become a reckless giver. Give your money to the poor.
Give your presence to the lonely. and give your talents to the world.
