by Kathy Gates, Professional Life Coach
www.reallifecoach.com

Ever wondered why some people just seem to have it all together, and the rest of us are running around trying to keep it all together? Success is not an accident - success is a good habit. These 7 smart habits can work wonders in your life too.

Habit #1:
Get prepared: Make like a boy scout, and get prepared. Choose one thing that tends to jump out at you unexpectedly, and make a plan to prepare for it. Once that's in place, choose another one. Prepare for the unexpected trip to the dentist, prepare for the lost keys, prepare for the dog eating your eyeglasses prepare this year for tax time next year, prepare for next Christmas' bills, prepare for getting more education and a better job, prepare for starting your own business, prepare for writing and selling your novel, prepare for Mr./Ms Right.

Habit #2:
Develop Routines. You already have routines, but are they helping you or hurting you? Staying up late and dragging around all the next day is a routine that's contaminating not only your physical health but your mental and emotional health as well. Having a routine to work on clutter control 15 minutes a day contributes to your desire for a clean uncluttered life (you'll be amazed at what you can do in 15 minutes!). Take a close look at your routines and see where they need some adjusting. For example, if you find yourself paying late fees because you just didn't "get around to" paying the bills, it's time for a new routine.

Habit #3:
Just say No. Say No to chocolate if you're trying to lose weight. Say No to mindless TV if you want to get a degree or start your own business. Say No to doing other people's work. When you can't say No to people and things, you end up feeling frustrated and resentful. When you say YES to what's important to you, then you feel fulfilled and energetic and in control. And that's what you're looking for, isn't it?

Habit #4:
Stop striving for perfection. That's just an excuse to procrastinate, and you know it. Filing your personal papers doesn't have to be in color coded, typed folders. A simple system that you understand and can actually use is what's important. Strive for progress, not perfection.

Habit #5:
Clean up your mind diet. It's a fact that whatever you spend your time focusing on is what you'll have lots of in your life. Dwelling on the problem doesn't take you closer to the solution. If you eat candy all day, you'll be sick. If you put junk into your mind all day, you'll be sick. If you want to be happier, feed your mind a happier diet.

Habit #6.
Practice small steps. Make your life easier by learning to break all goals down into small steps. The idea is that you are moving forward, slowly and steadily. Use the analogy of a skyscraper. It was built brick by brick, one at a time. So are your goals. Concentrate on what you *can* do, like 10 minutes of walking each day, or cleaning out one room per month. You'll be surprised at how fast the bricks add up to a building.

Habit #7:
Consistency. Perhaps the most important of all the habits is to be consistent in whatever you do. Being consistent is what makes or breaks great people and great lives. Anyone who is organized, works on it consistently, not "whenever". Anyone who is in good physical shape, works on it consistently, not hit-or-miss. It's more about making a new habit, than it is the intensity of it at the beginning. Once the habit is instilled, it will be much easier to raise the intensity.

Credit:
Professional Life Coach Kathy Gates helps people who are burned out, stressed out, and fed up to get back to basics. Sign up for weekly How-To Clinics and a free ezine at www.reallifecoach.com or call for a free consultation at 480.998.5843.

Related Information:

NBA Benefit Provider - Keystone To Success

NBA Resource Article - 3 Traits for Success

NBA Resource Article - Innovating Your Way to Success

Reprint of this article does not constitute an endorsement by the National Business Association; the article is for informational purposes for our members and viewers of our Web site.