Copyright 2005 Gayla Swihart DeHart
Achieve Excellence
http://www.achieveexcellence.ca

Spring is such a refreshing time- we are filled with the
hope and promise of the seasons ahead. The flowers blossom,
our spirits lift. This is a great time to make a fresh
start, to de-clutter your life, to get back to the simple
pleasures.

1. Go outside and enjoy the beauty of spring. Not while you
are in a rush to get your tasks done- just for the pleasure
of looking at the shapes and colors, or smelling the
freshness of new grass or the ocean. No agenda, not with
your mind racing along filling up your to-do list. The point
of this task is to empty your mind of everything but the
present. Just trust that all the important things on your
to-do list will still be there when you are finished, only
you will have more energy and be more creative in the
execution of that list.

2. Call an old friend that you have been meaning to catch up
with. Schedule it into you day planner if you have to, but
do it! Allow yourself lots of time so you can really get
caught up.

3. Go through your closets and throw out anything that you
haven't worn in the past year (unless you really love it-
then only throw it out if it has been two years). Buy
yourself a piece of clothing in a bright new color. 

4. Do one thing that you have been meaning to do but haven't
gotten around to yet- go to the art gallery, see a play or
go to the opera. Choose a Saturday this month and plan this-
invite your favourite person to join you.

5. Learn something new- take a class, read a book, try a new
sport or craft. Learning new things keeps us youthful and
vibrant and makes us more interesting- and interested.

6. Do something positive for your community- sign up for a
charitable run (as a volunteer or participant), help with a
community clean-up, attend a fund-raiser. Find a way to get
involved and give back.

7. Refresh (or create) your fitness & diet plan. Can you do
more exercise outdoors now that winter is ending? Can you
eat more fresh fruit and vegetables? Do you want to join a
running club or yoga class? Are you really drinking enough
water?

8. Update your look- a new hairstyle, different hair color,
fresh lipstick or nail polish shade? Change things up a
little- it will help you see yourself and the world from a
slightly different perspective, and you never know what
ideas and opportunities await you.

9. Meet new people. Join a book club, get out and network,
throw a dinner party and ask your friends to invite friends
that you have never met before. Developing and nurturing a
strong social network helps manage stress and increases
levels of happiness and well-being. 

10. Review your goals for the year and TAKE ACTION NOW on
the one that matters to you most. Get a coach, make a plan,
enlist the help of friends and family, and just get it done.
Once you start moving forward, it will be easier than you
think and you will wonder why you didn't start sooner!

Choose at least 3 of these suggestions and make a commitment
to take action on them now. After you have decided what you
are going to do, plan and schedule when you are going to do
it, and make sure that you let at least one other person in
on your plan- someone who has permission to give you a
little nudge if you get off track. Good luck with your fresh
start!

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) 2005 Gayla Swihart DeHart
Dr. Gayla Swihart DeHart, from Vancouver, Canada, is a
Professional Coach with a Ph.D. in Psychology. She helps
busy professionals manage stress, improve goal-setting and
follow-through, develop emotional intelligence, and increase
life and work satisfaction. More information on Dr. DeHart
and her services can be found at www.AchieveExcellence.ca.
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