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Chances are you've read countless books and articles on how to improve yourself, professionally and personally. You may have even attended a self-improvement or business enhancement workshop or two. But if you're like the majority of people, despite all this knowledge, your professional and personal life has not changed at all. What went wrong?

As with all things in your life, you have a choice to make. In this case your choice is clear: Are you going to apply what you've learned in pursuit of a better life or business, or are you going to file this knowledge away and stay in your comfort zone?  

Realize that action is the key to making positive changes in your life. Without action, knowledge is lost. Inaction will not result in fulfillment. There is only one thing standing in the way of achieving all that's possible: You! If you make the conscious choice to sit back and watch the world go by without ever making an attempt at achieving your goals, you will experience profound regret in your life.  

Unfortunately, many people remain idle in the face of challenges and make the decision to stay put in a life of discontent-to remain in a job that brings them no satisfaction and to remain in a world of unhappiness. These people take a passive approach to life. When opportunities present themselves, these people don't act. They're not prepared. It's one thing to know what to do; it's something entirely different to put that information to good use and turn knowledge into action. If you don't take the necessary action, you will be left watching opportunity after opportunity pass you by, wondering what might have been.

If you're ready to take action and make some serious changes in your life, keep the following four points in mind.

1) Don't let fear hold you back: You cannot let the fear of the unknown or the fear of failure prevent you from taking the necessary action to succeed. You must stick with your vision even when times get tough. Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich (Hill 1987), put it beautifully. "There is no substitute for persistence! It cannot be supplanted by any other quality! ... Those who have cultivated the habit of persistence seem to enjoy insurance against failure. No matter how many times they are defeated, they finally arrive near the top of the ladder."

So do not go on believing that the path to success will be without obstacles and challenges. You will certainly have tough times. But don't let any misconceptions lull you into inaction and eat away at your dreams. Know that all great accomplishments come despite hardship, not in its absence. You have to be aware and prepared, and you must match your vision with action.

2) Eliminate regrets: The regret of never trying to make the most of your potential will far outweigh any bumps you will encounter along the way. There really is no limit to what you can do with your life. It is sometimes hard to imagine what you will not get out of life if you do not take action. That is a difficult concept for people to get their head around. However, when faced with the idea of finally taking action, many people quickly create a long list of what could wrong and why they should stay in their comfort zone. In fact, most people would never run out of reasons when asked to point out all of the reasons why they shouldn't try to do something. Yet, the moment you ask them to create a vision for what they want out of life, they suddenly lose their creative prowess.  

When it comes to their approach to life, too many people don't think about what they are losing, because they never had it. This is a flawed way of thinking. You can be whatever you want to be. It is never too late or too early. And make no mistake, by choosing to sit idly by without taking responsibility for what happens in your life, you are giving up a tremendous amount. Just because you might not be able to touch it yet doesn't make it any less real.

3) Look at your life in totality  

Health Kick
 

Thanksgiving only comes around once a year, so why not go ahead and splurge? Because gaining weight during the holiday season is a national pastime. Year after year, most of us pack on at least a pound (some gain more) during the holidays -- and keep the extra weight permanently.

But Thanksgiving does not have to sabotage your weight, experts say. With a little know-how, you can satisfy your desire for traditional favorites and still enjoy a guilt-free Thanksgiving feast. After all, being stuffed is a good idea only if you are a turkey!

Create a calorie deficit by exercising to burn off extra calories before you ever indulge in your favorite foods, suggests Connie Diekman, MEd, RD, former president of the American Dietetic Association (ADA).

"'Eat less and exercise more' is the winning formula to prevent weight gain during the holidays," Diekman says. "Increase your steps or lengthen your fitness routine the weeks ahead and especially the day of the feast."

Make fitness a family adventure, recommends Susan Finn, PhD, RD, chair of the American Council on Fitness and Nutrition: "Take a walk early in the day and then again after dinner. It is a wonderful way for families to get physical activity and enjoy the holiday together."

While you might think it makes sense to save up calories for the big meal, experts say eating a small meal in the morning can give you more control over your appetite. Start your day with a small but satisfying breakfast -- such as an egg with a slice of whole-wheat toast, or a bowl of whole-grain cereal with low-fat milk -- so you won't be starving when you arrive at the gathering.

"Eating a nutritious meal with protein and fiber before you arrive takes the edge off your appetite and allows you to be more discriminating in your food and beverage choices," says Diekman.

Whether you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner or bringing a few dishes to share, make your recipes healthier with less fat, sugar, and calories.

"There is more sugar and fat in most recipes than is needed, and no one will notice the difference if you skim calories by using lower calorie ingredients," says Diekman.

Her suggestions:

• Use fat-free chicken broth to baste the turkey and make gravy.
• Use sugar substitutes in place of sugar and/or fruit purees instead of oil in baked goods.
• Reduce oil and butter wherever you can.
• Try plain yogurt or fat-free sour cream in creamy dips, mashed potatoes, and casseroles.

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