Step 1 - Taking control

How do you take control? A few years ago, after a visit to Egypt, I came down with a tropical disease which meant that I couldn’t work for a few months. It wasn’t a break by any means, as post fever I was left extremely lethargic havingto sleep at least four times in the day. I had bought a self help book some six months previous, but had never opened it. During my time out of work I started to read it. It spoke about the power of the mind and self-healing (which I tried and believed worked, but that’s another article), and also about having a life-plan.

Now, putting together a life-plan may seem very dull, boring and controlled and in complete contrast to the unpredictability of life, but if you start one you’re on the road to changing your life. I’m not talking about day to day detail; I’m talking about what you want out of life – bigger house, better job, your own business etc. I started to look at my life and what I wanted from it. I was very happy, with an amazing husband, a great job and a nice home, but another side of me that wanted more. So following on from the advice I had read, I started to write a plan for the next year, which gave me a time frame and key goals to hit. I decided my main goal was to own four properties within twelve months, I included in my plan when and how I would purchase these properties (including utilising my current assets, borrowing from family etc).

One year later I had four properties, excluding a purchase and sale. I had decided to take control of my life, apply a positive thought process and set goals for myself, which I focused on and challenged myself to meet. I now have a life plan and know what I want to achieve out of my life. It doesn’t mean I lack any spontaneity or excitement by any means, it simply means I know what I want and have a plan of how to achieve it.

Taking control of your life is recognising that you can determine the road you take and the achievements you make. It’s about being assertive and responsible about the things you can control. You should evaluate what you like about your life and what you don’t like and take appropriate action; if you want another job go and get one. If you feel an area of your life is holding you back, confront it. In contrast if something supports what you do, embrace it and cherish it. You need to establish what you want and plan how you are going to get it. Having goals is essential, because they give you direction and focus in life. As John Wooden, the basketball coach was fond of saying, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”