Chances are you have to travel during your week (unless you get to work from home). Whether it’s on the bus, train or you drive to work, this time can be put to good use. I know for myself some of my better ideas have come when I am away from my desk and am essentially free to think. A few years ago I remember coming up with one of those 25 words or less answers for a competition whilst standing at a bus stop (and I won!). The outline of my book was formulated in one bus journey. So if you do feel pressed for time you can make use of your hours spent travelling.

If you want to make a change in your life, you can help your chances of being successful by carrying out some forward planning and setting up strategies. Whether you want to quit smoking, watch less TV, cut down on alcohol or eat healthier, if you consider the following ideas and take your time, then you can achieve the changes you want.

Make sure you have enough energy to get the most out of that fantastic life of yours. Eat your breakfast – every day. Keep regular contact with a friend who never fails to inspire. Exercise regularly, making sure you find something that you enjoy doing. Of course, sleep well – you need it to restore those depleted energy levels and start over the next day.

It’s easy for your motivation to dwindle when you are working on a goal. This is especially the case when the goal is an ongoing one with no end point.
Fitness is an ongoing goal for me. It is something that is part of my life today. However, it’s easy for such things to just become routine, where you are probably no longer working as hard as you could be. This is probably what had happened to me, although I didn’t realise it until this weekend. I finally bought myself a …

“Noble deeds and hot baths are the best cures for depression.” Dodie Smith
For the purposes of this article, depression will refer to those times of low mood we all sometimes experience; those episodes when you are really fed up and feeling blue. Past experience tells you it won’t last forever but at that moment you just can’t seem to cast it away. It does not refer to clinically diagnosed depression, as to do so would be flippant. Depression is a serious mental health condition and should not be underestimated.
What I …

Each time you take a step closer to your intended goal, give yourself a reward. It can be anything you want it to be, so long as it does not hinder you reaching the goal. Just giving yourself a pat on the back is a great reward.

Imagery can be a powerful tool in helping you achieve your goals. If you find yourself struggling to achieve a task, imagine yourself carrying out the task with energy and enthusiasm. Visualise yourself reaching your goal. Ideally you should shut your eyes to help you. Once you stop the imagery, try again at finishing the task. Hopefully it will be easier for you and you may even enjoy it.

You have your goal but have yet to achieve it. Try asking yourself the following: “Why did I decide to pursue the goal in the first place?”, “Why is it so important to me?” If you feel yourself struggling with your goal, take time to think of why you wanted to achieve it. Reconnect with the thoughts and emotions that initially pushed you into action, writing them down to refer to when motivation is low.

When you start to question your ability to achieve your desired goal, sit back and imagine you have already achieved it. Imagine what you feel like, what you are doing, where you are and what other people are saying and doing. Let your imagination run riot. Hopefully this will give you the motivation to reach that goal.

This week, finish those tasks that have been on your to-do list for weeks or even months but you have been putting off. So much time is spent avoiding certain tasks, possibly even longer than is spent actually doing the task. Imagine the feeling of accomplishment as you finally finish the task and realise that it is finally done and you never have to face it again.