You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face… You must do the thing you think you cannot do.   Eleanor Roosevelt

What fear is holding you back from living the life you have imagined?

• Fear of Change and the Unknown
• Fear of Making Wrong Decisions
• Fear of Not Being Accepted and Loved
• Fear of the Past
• Fear of the Future
• Fear of Failure
• Fear of Success

Most doubt and indecision comes from either living in the past or the future. But clarity brings action.

Trust provides clarity and direction. It is a peaceful place to be. The funny thing is, the more you trust you are where you need to be, the more confident you become.

So what will it be ~ Fear or Faith?

Faith is the substance of things not seen. Change and uncertainty will be your constant companions through life.  Cultivate confidence in your abilities by challenging your self-limited beliefs. Remind yourself of your past successes rather than dwell on decisions you wish you had made differently.

February is the month of love. Extend the love you share with others and begin loving yourself.

Join like-minded women on Leap Day at the life planning WOW Workshop February 29th and take a leap of faith. Success is just around the corner, waiting for you to claim it. Check it out at The Swan Network .If you’ve missed this workshop, please remember to sign up for our free newsletter to receive timely tips and notices about upcoming teleconferences, workshops and online meetings.

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If you have not consciously made the decision to be rich, excellent, and healthy, then you have unconsciously made the decision to be poor, mediocre, and unhealthy.” Wallace D. Wattles

Each and every day you make unconscious choices that mold your future.

It’s Not Your Fault

Time challenged and overwhelmed with information, you make daily choices based on habit rather than by choice. You just don’t have time to think.That is why changing habits changes lives.

The less you have to think about something, the more likely it will get done.

Action Step

Trust the truth.  Numbers don’t lie.  Need a quick reality check?  Look at your:

• Bank records,
• Credit card statements,
• Calendar, and
• Scale.

These will immediately reveal unconscious choices that are impacting your life.

Ready to Improve Your Health?

Plan ahead. Keep cut up vegetables in the refrigerator for quick snacks.  You know the saying “Out of sight, out of mind?” If you can’t get rid of all the unhealthy snacks like chips, at least put them someplace where they don’t stare you in the face when you open the pantry. Make snacking difficult. If you’re determined to eat, the snacks are still available. But you are then making a conscious choice.

When you are tired, stressed, or overwhelmed, drive thrus or take out looks very appealing. Curb those thoughts by planning ahead with great crockpot meals, precut vegies ready to cook, or frozen meals you can place in the microwave. I have a great number of fish and chicken recipes that can be ready in less than 30 minutes.

Want to Become Financially Secure?

Keep track of where your money goes. And no, I don’t mean by putting everything on the credit card.

Just for 7 seven days, keep track of all your receipts. Vending machines, Starbucks coffee, cell phones, movies, clothing, books, gas, money you hand over to the kids or grandkids … keep track of it all. Still think you don’t have money to fund a retirement account?

Wake up call:  Pull out a recent Social Security statement, open it, and look at the page on the right side.  Add up all the money that has flowed through your hands over the last 20 years. Where did it go?

Pollyanna Thinking? Let’s Get Real

Obviously there are some things that are not within your control.

I am not saying you attracted bad health into your life if you are living with a chronic illness, cancer, or other disease. I know the personal frustration of doing everything “right” and still facing the daily fight to maintain good health. Health issues are often genetic or come from out of the blue even if you exercise and eat right. That’s reality.

I am not saying you brought financial ruin into your life if you lost a job because of a layoff, accident, or health issue. I have had clients who were very responsible but still faced financial insecurity from no fault of their own.

So, what am I saying? Take control of what you can. No excuses.

Unexpected change happens to us all. Seeing beyond today and planning for the future will prepare you for the inevitable change you are bound to face.

Live Life By Choice, Not Chance

• If you have a chronic illness, do what you can every day to improve or maintain health.
• Plan for the future by creating a financial cushion.
• Most importantly, control your attitude. How you think can reshape your life.

Join other savvy women at The Swan Network and learn about our WOW life planning workshops for women. Be sure to sign up for our free newsletter to keep informed.