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.