I'm stepping into the new year with a desire to make this year of my life the best ever. It's Destination Manifestation for me! That means that this is the year of total healing and wellness. This is the year of action, the year of manifesting my dreams. Hopefully, the following tips will encourage and inspire you to begin taking your own steps towards change and making 2012 an unforgettable year. Enjoy what I've written below...

The Life Coaching Daily Inventory

The questions below were created to help you see your life more clearly and view things from a new perspective. I suggest that you write the questions on note cards that you carry with you throughout the day. You can also
write them in a journal and refer to them in the morning and at night.

When you see old patterns, thoughts, or behaviors emerging, take a moment to think about the inventory questions, which will allow yourself to refocus and reflect upon where your priorities lie at the moment.

1.    What  would I do if I could not fail?
This is a question that I’m sure you’ve heard time and again over the years. However, if really taken literally and applied to your life, you would see dramatic differences. Fear is a state of mind, and states of mind can always be
changed. So remember, dream big and bold dreams. Then take baby steps to make them happen.

 2.   What am I settling for in my life?
Think about all the things in your life that you “put up” with. Most of the time we are just hoping things will get better on their own, so we settle. Consider your job, your friendships, your relationships, or anything else that might
drain your energies and spirit. Unfortunately, it often takes those times when things have gotten so unacceptable that you realize something must be done, and it must be done right away. Why wait? Decide today that you value yourself too much to settle any longer. Then take baby steps to get away from that which no
longer serves your best interest.

 3.   Who am I becoming? There is a quote by a woman, Lynn Hall, who said, “We did not change as we grew older, we just became more clearly ourselves.” 
That means that who you are today is a reflection of all the choices that you’ve made throughout your life. Remember, you always have the choice to become the person you want to be, and it doesn’t matter how far you’ve fallen down. You can set a positive future now by making small choices daily that take you closer to joy and fulfillment.

 4.   What am I doing right now to honor my true and inner values? Anna Quindler says, “If your success is not on your own terms, if it looks good to the world, but does not feel good in your heart, it is not success at all.” It is important that you identify your core values, the things that you deem most important in your life, as your values are the true essence of who you really are. Living your life in tune with your values brings harmony. Make a collage of what you value in life. Look at it often and then seek to live a life of integrity that is committed to the person that you really are inside.

5.   What is my legacy?
Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”  A legacy isn’t something that is done after death. Creating a legacy is based on what you contribute while you are still walking this Earth. You can create a legacy
everyday by doing small, simple acts of kindness to those in your life and those who are blessed to cross your path. Keep your eyes and heart open each day and look for ways that you can let your inner light shine.

 6.   What am I holding onto that I no longer need? Think about all of the things that you have in your life that you no longer need. It can be clothing, books, music, movies, but most importantly, belief patterns and
old habits that are destructive and no longer serve your highest good. It’s now time to make some goals and take baby steps to remove those things. 
      
7.  What one thing would I change for the better? This
change can be something as big as limiting your alcohol consumption or to stop drinking soda. It can be any kind of change that will make your life better. Think about it; what change could you make that would create the most impact upon your life? What’s been stopping you from making that change? Choose today to start taking baby steps toward making those changes for the better.

8.   How am I using my gifts to help myself and others? Everyone has talents that are unique to them. You can have two painters that are given the same subject to paint, but there will be two different variations when the painting is complete. It is our responsibility to use our talents in every way possible and to use our talents to inspire and bring light to others. Reflect upon how you are using your gifts to benefit those in your life and humanity. Using our gifts gives us purpose and creates a desire within to strive for more. Look for opportunities in your life where you can let your gifts shine. This is one key to happiness and change.

9.  Where do I focus my attention? Oprah Winfrey once said, “Energy is the essence of life. Every day you decide how you’re going to use it by knowing what you want and what it takes to reach that goal, and by maintaining focus.”  Take a few moments to reflect upon the thoughts that mostly consume your mind each day. Do you spend most of your time complaining about how bad your life is, thinking pessimistic thoughts, and waiting on the next disaster to happen? If so, whenever you notice a
pessimistic thought arise, immediately replace it with the exact positive opposite. Visualize your goals as if they have already occurred and continue to take steps toward becoming the amazing person that you were meant to be.

10.  How much time do I spend with people who inspire me? Who you surround yourself with will often times make you the person that you become. If you are around negative, self-centered people all the time, then you will most likely soak up some of their energy and begin to demonstrate some of those qualities yourself. It reminds me of a job I once had. Everyone in the place was always negative and drained in spirit. I did a good job at deflecting their energy by choosing positive thoughts and making myself a light in that place. However, a new woman started. She was shy, but positive, gentle and kind. I then noticed that as the weeks passed, so did her attitude. She began to soak in the energy of the people in her environment. Choose today to surround yourself with
people that inspire and uplift you. Make a commitment to yourself that you will develop a support network of people who will be the lights in your life and those who will be a source of power and joy, instead of negativity.

Make a commitment to yourself to employ the techniques above and create positive change in your life now! Remember, you weren't born to settle. No, you were born to SOAR!