Choosing Areas to Enhance

Focus on the low-rated areas of your life. Improving a “5” to a “10” will mean less to you than improving a “2” to a “10.” We’re all limited by the amount of time we have available to us. Focus your time and energy on the aspects of your life that will provide the greatest benefit. Spend your time wisely.

Determine which area of improvement will provide the greatest benefit:

1. Create the “10” version for each item rated less than five. Design a version that you’d be excited to add to your life. Once it feels right, see if you can make it any better. A few examples from the previous list:

• “I wake up feeling refreshed. I can’t wait to start my day.”

• “My car is reliable, comfortable, and I feel proud to own it.”

• “I have plenty of good friends and an active social life that bring me joy.”

2. Put your revisions in order of preference. Consider which of your new 10’s would add the most to your life. Imagine your life with the corresponding changes and trust your gut. Which would have the biggest impact? Put your list in order.

Where do you feel the most pain in your life? What causes you the most stress? Many psychologists believe that we’re naturally happy. It’s only the negative parts of our lives that make us unhappy. So you don’t need anything in order to be happy other than to be free of the bad stuff.

It is human nature to turn to our strengths and avoid our weaknesses, but this is a mistake in certain circumstances. The weakest parts of your life limit your happiness and sense of well-being. Ensure you’re prioritizing your focus.

Address the low-rated parts of your life first. When these have been conquered, you can turn your attention to other areas.

“Progress is impossible without change, and those who

cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”

- George Bernard Shaw

Now it's time to actually make change. We'll learn in the next post how to effectively create sustainable change in your life.