Stephen Covey has Seven Habits, AA has Twelve Steps, Kate has Nine Principles that lead to success. Of utmost importance to achieving success is being able to define "it" and take positive steps to achieve success.

My most important work is to help individuals through this process using either a one-on-one or group setting. There are nine principles that apply to make changes in your life that lead to greater levels of health, happiness and success. These principles apply regardless of age, circumstance, color, creed or culture. The only thing that changes is how you implement them.

With each of the next three issues of Winning LifeStyles, we will highlight three principles you can examine and reflect upon as they relate to your life.

Listen to your body and emotions; are you ignoring stress symptoms?

Take time to reflect on what you need and want- Are there little things you can do to meet some of these needs? Take a lunch walk, have a regular date "hour" each week with your spouse. Get up 15 minutes earlier each morning to plan the day, meditate, pray or have a quiet reflective time.

Discover, accept and believe in your worth or value outside of your profession. You are special and unique just because you are - simply ask a friend!

If less significant things have gotten in the way of what’s really important, make a commitment to implement small changes over time.

Too many people put off their own self-care needs (regular doctor checkups, time alone or with friends, exercise time and meal planning) until they have time for themselves. That's like saying, "I’ll save whatever extra money I have left at the end of the month" - there’s never anything left.

You cannot give to your family, work and friends what you don't have. You need to care for yourself. It’s a necessity, not a luxury!

If you leave your car running on high idle all the time, it is going to require more maintenance much earlier than necessary - get the picture?

The world around us encourages the development of a self image that is very caught up in externals. Yet each of us defines "what’s important" in different ways. It’s easier to go for the external fix of looking together, while ignoring not really feeling together. Success means accepting yourself for who you are today, not who or what you're trying to become. Don't postpone feeling good about yourself until...you accomplish...or achieve something. Focus on your current strengths, positive experiences and feelings

Only you are capable of fulfilling the role in life which you are living. No one else has the same blend of experiences, talents, perceptions and ideas. You are the only person who can parent your children the way you do, the only one who can do the work the way you do and be a part of others' lives the special way you are. It may not seem significant until you realize how important and essential you are

Reread these principles many times until you receive your next issue with the next three Principles for Achieving Success. Begin to incorporate the changes that each principle calls for in your life.

Return to Articles