Here's to a HAPPY New Year! 

The first step is to realize it is up to you!  No action step here, instead it is mindset or a belief.  Know that you are not a victim of anybody or anything unless you allow yourself to be one.  You can choose to change anything at anytime you wish.  Yes, I know it isn't always easy and there may be difficult consequences.

Throw in a little fear of the unknown and fear of failure and it's enough to stop many of us in our tracks before we take the first step.  However, when we overcome our fears and no longer believe we are a victim we empower ourselves.  Empowerment creates happiness.  It feels awesome to say, "I can do it!" 

The second step is to figure out what it is you really want out of life.  What is really important to you?  Not the stuff you think you should have from comparing yourself to others...or what other people tell you that you should have.  No I am talking about the stuff that rocks you to your core.  Things like your health, family friends, and purpose.  Funny thing, if you don't know what you want, how are you ever going to know when you have it?  After you define what is really important, take a moment to review what is already in your life and celebrate!   

Step three; be upbeat and positive.  Every day you wake up you can choose to be positive and be happy.  I wear an orange band that reads, Smile & Shine.  It reminds me every day I have a choice.  I can either focus on the negative or I can focus on the positive.  I choose to focus on the positive.  Every day you have a choice to focus on the positive to Smile & Shine! 

Smile & Shine band is available on my website.

Step four; believe in yourself!  Sure you will hit some obstacles along the way.  That just helps to show you how bad you really want something. Continue focusing on what is working in your life.  The first step is usually the hardest.  Take one step at a time.  Every step you take makes the next step that much easier.  Every step you complete helps you believe in yourself even more. 

When you want to change something always ask yourself "how bad do I really want it".  Research shows a rating of 8 or above on a scale of 1 to 10, (10 being high) is needed in most cases to succeed at sustaining change.  Make sure it is something that is really important to you and you will succeed!

Step five; surround yourself with people who love, respect and believe in you.  People who will support you with both their words and actions.  Don't waste your precious time on those who don't.   Life is too short!  Spending time with those who we share mutual love and appreciation brings happiness!