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What Big Step Do You Need to Take?
By Valorie Burton
http://www.ValorieBurton.com

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* For more news and information, read to the bottom of this edition.

This week's topic:
What Big Step Do You Need to Take?

Dear Friends,

Each week in 2004, this newsletter will pose a question to provoke thought and positive change in your life. As a life strategist and coach, I believe the best way to find the answers that will help you live the life you were born to live is to ask yourself the right questions. So let's begin with the first question of the year: What big step do you need to take?

As we head into a fresh, New Year, it's a perfect time to take a look at your vision for your life, and determine whether the steps you are taking are big enough to bring your vision to life. As a coach, I often find that people's dreams are simply not supported by big enough actions. Many people take only baby steps (or no real steps at all!) and then find themselves frustrated by a lack of real progress.

For example, if your goal is to be thirty pounds lighter and to develop and maintain a healthier lifestyle, you must take massive action. Maybe it's time to go through your kitchen, remove everything that is contributing to your weight problem and give it all away. You may have to create a personal rule to not eat after 7 p.m. or completely cut certain foods from your diet. If you are in an unhealthy relationship, massive action could mean disconnecting yourself entirely from the other person. In your personal finances, massive action could mean moving to a less expensive residence, doing an all-out search for a new job or making some important lifestyle changes.

The key is to recognize that for many of life's goals, little steps simply won't do. Of course, massive action has a tendency to bring about more fear than baby steps. Fear is often the factor that threatens to keep us from our potential. As you consider taking massive action, focus on the positive outcome of your actions. Fear is usually based on what we think may go wrong rather than the rewards that will come if things go well. Here is some food for thought as you consider a big step you'd like to take:

1. BABY STEPS ARE ONLY SUPPOSED TO BE TEMPORARY. Life is about growing into our full potential. As we grow, we mature through the lessons learned from our life experiences. Taking baby steps toward change is very important, but there comes a time when you must take the big step(s) that will propel towards your destiny.

2. BELIEVE IN YOUR POTENTIAL. Make a commitment to yourself to see yourself doing the things you've dreamed of. Then believe in your possibilities. Taking action towards your goals is the true sign that you believe in your potential. Hesitancy is often a sign of doubt.

3. SHAKE THINGS UP A BIT. Massive action requires the boldness to "shake things up" in your life. Sometimes it is time for a change - new goals, new ideas, a new environment. Find ways to make life interesting by boldly pursuing the things - small and large - that you have dreamed of. Perhaps it's an overseas trip, a cross-country move, or as simple as a new hairstyle. How could you shake things up?

4. IF NOT NOW, WHEN? If there is a big step you need to take in your life, and you are hesitant to move forward, ask yourself, "If not now, when?" It can be so easy to put our dreams on hold, but the truth is tomorrow is not promised and a fulfilling life is a life lived fully.

Until next time ...

Warm wishes,
Valorie

Valorie Burton, a life coach and professional speaker, is author of Rich Minds, Rich Rewards: 52 Ways to Enhance, Enrich and Empower Your Life (Villard, $14.95). Enjoy a FREE subscription to her e-newsletter and shop for her books and tapes online at www.ValorieBurton.com.

Her second book, Listen to Your Life, will be released March 16, 2004.
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LIFE COACH
Valorie coaches successful CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals to
maximize their business success while maintaining a fulfilling
personal, spiritual and family life. If you are ready for a higher
level of living, visit www.ValorieBurton.com/lifecoach.htm or email
valorie@valorieburton.com to schedule a sample coaching session.

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COLUMNIST AND MEDIA CONTRIBUTOR:

* Valorie's daily, 60-second radio feature, "The Good Life," now airs
three times per day: 6:10 a.m., 6:10 p.m. and 11:40 p.m. EST. The
Good Life inspires you with tips for living a more fulfilling, less
stressful life. It airs weekdays on 30 stations via ABC radio in
cities such as Seattle, Birmingham, Tulsa, Buffalo, Providence,
Pensacola, Minneapolis, Dayton, Montgomery, Helena and Richmond.
Visit www.classicsoulhits.com for more info.

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Please feel free to forward the Rich Minds, Rich Rewards E-Newsletter
to friends and colleagues, but please forward in its entirety.

The Rich Minds, Rich Rewards E-Newsletter is written and distributed
by Valorie Burton Unlimited. Copyright (c) 2003 Valorie Burton. All
rights reserved.

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