Week 1: The Journey Begins!

Life Makeovers
by Cheryl Richardson

(Page 3 of 3)

Week 1

The Journey Begins!

Love yourself first and everything else falls into line.

— LUCILLE BALL

It's the beginning of the Life Makeover journey, and I imagine you've already begun thinking about the changes you'd like to make in your life. Or maybe you have a sense that something needs to change but you're not sure what it might be. So often when we launch a new beginning in our lives, we start out by setting goals or making resolutions. But I'd like you to start this journey in a different way. I'd like you to begin by acknowledging yourself for what you've already accomplished and, more importantly, who you've become over the last year.

A high-quality life starts with a high-quality you! Don't rush into this new year frantically trying to catch up or make up for what you didn't do in the past. This kind of frenetic rushing and hopeless browbeating keeps you tied to the past and feeling bad about yourself. Get a fresh start on this process by being gentle with yourself. Set aside some time to reflect on all you've done right over the last year by considering the following questions:

• What qualities of character have you strengthened? Are you more honest with others about how you feel? Have you learned to set boundaries with those people who drain your energy? Maybe you've improved your communication skills or become more sensitive to the needs of others?

• Have you shared an act of kindness or supported others in some way? Did you help a friend who is going through a divorce or care for an elderly parent? Maybe you coached your kid's sports team or volunteered for a nonprofit organization?

• What special memories have you created with those you love? Did you take a vacation that was particularly memorable? Did you organize an event that brought people closer together? Were there any special moments that stand out?

• What have you achieved or accomplished? Consider both your personal and professional life. Did you meet your business goals or get a promotion at work? Maybe you finished an important project, like writing a book or developing a workshop, or channeled your creative energy into painting or cooking?

The answers to these questions will help to start the process off in a different frame of mind — one that is self-supporting and sustainable. After all, we don't grow in positive ways by beating ourselves up. Focus on what worked, and set the stage for a wonderful new year!

Take Action Challenge

I'd like you to start this process by keeping a journal. Take some time this week to buy yourself a special gift. You'll be using this journal throughout the Life Makeover process to capture your journey, so make sure that you choose one that you really like.

For the first entry reflect on the previous year and make a list of twenty-five (yes, twenty-five!) things you are most proud of accomplishing over the last twelve months. This list may include ways that you've grown as a person, goals you've achieved, and the positive changes that you've made in your life.

Let this exercise be easy. Keep a sheet of paper in your desk, taped to your bathroom mirror, or in your appointment book, and over the next week add items as they occur to you. You might even build a new habit by considering these accomplishments during the same time each day. For example, upon waking, spend a few minutes in bed reviewing the last year in your mind looking for what you did well. Or use the time while you're brushing your teeth or commuting to work to consider your accomplishments. By the end of the week you may even have more than 25 — that's allowed!

When you've completed the list, share it with your partner or team. Better yet, hold a bragging party and invite several people to gather and share their lists. Taking the time to acknowledge your accomplishments and celebrate your success is an important way to strengthen the relationship with yourself, the first step in creating the life you want. And for those of you who might fear that this exercise is a tad self-indulgent, remember this: seeing the good in others starts with seeing the good in ourselves.

My five most important accomplishments are:

1._____________________________________________
2._____________________________________________
3._____________________________________________
4._____________________________________________
5._____________________________________________

The three ways I've grown over the last year are:

1._____________________________________________
2._____________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________

RESOURCES

Brushdance
100 Ebbtide Ave., #1
Sausalito, CA 94965
(800) 531 - 7445
http://www.brushdance.com
A great resource for journals as well as electronic greeting cards, magnets, calendars, and new paper greeting cards, too.

What You Need to Know Now — a Road Map for Personal Transformation (tape and CD) by Marcia Pear
To order:
Live Your Light Foundation
(707) 522 - 9529
http://www.liveyourlight.com
A wonderful spoken-word adventure (with music) that demystifies the evolutionary path and provides practical tools and next steps for dealing with life changes and transitions.

The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women: A Portable Mentor by Gail McMeekin (California: Conari Press, 2000)
This book profiles forty-five modern-day creative women (Sarah Ban Breathnach, Barbara Sher, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, and more) and shares their twelve secrets of success.

How Much Joy Can You Stand? How to Push Past Your Fears and Create Your Dreams by Suzanne Falter-Barns (New York: Wellspring, 2000)
This book provides the kick in the pants we all need to get on with our dreams. Not only does it debunk the myths about creating, but it also provides fun, inspiring exercises that work!

Making Your Dreams Come True by Marcia Wieder (New York: Harmony Books, 1999)
An inspiring step-by-step approach for igniting your passion and getting what you want.

Copyright © 2002 by Cheryl Richardson. Excerpted by permission of Broadway, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

About the Author

Cheryl Richardson is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Take Time for Your Life, Life Makeovers, and Stand Up for Your Life. As a professional coach and speaker, her work has been covered widely in the media, including the Today show, Good Morning America, The New York Times, and O, The Oprah Magazine. Cheryl led the Lifestyle Makeover Series on The Oprah Winfrey Show and accompanied Ms. Winfrey on the "Live Your Best Life" nationwide tour. She lives in Massachusetts.