Lifestyle—It's Your Choice! By Janet Callaway

Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching with Christmas not far behind. Right after that it is the new year; time for resolutions and new starts.

Why not start now?

What we have to be thankful for are a result of our choices. Take some time to look at your life and appreciate the good things in it. If you are not living the Lifestyle you want, now is the time to take action.

Remember changing things in your life requires only one Big step and the rest are consistent little steps. The Big step is your choice; your decision to change. The little steps are what you do each day, each week, each month to implement the change. Let's look at a few changes that can have a profound impact in your life.

Exercise: If the “proof is in the pudding,” this pudding is done. Research abounds on the physical benefits of exercise. If you are not exercising, add some form of it to your daily/weekly routine. Walk around the block, up stairs or park your car across the lot. Anything that will get you moving. Aside from the physical benefits, you will no doubt find that while you are exercising ideas come to you, solutions for problems become apparent and friendships flourish.

Financial Health: If you have too much month at the end of the money, you need to do several exercises to improve this condition. You could take a part time job, however, I think a better option is to start a home based business. With a home based business you can earn additional income as well as take advantage of significant tax benefits. Also, look at how you are spending your money each month then make some better choices. Whether you are stopping for lattes at Starbucks or buying numerous meals/snacks at fast food restaurants, you are spending way more than you need to for those items. Skip the lattes and the snacks; you will be surprised how much you save. Look to Dave Ramsey or someone similar to get your finances under control so that you are back in control of your life. Sir Richard Branson is right:

“There is only one reason to be wealthy. It allows us to choose how we wish to spend our days.”

Personal Growth: Invest in yourself by reading books that will fill your mind with positive thoughts and ideas; listen to CDs and watch DVDs that do the same thing. Associate with people who lift you up rather than pull you down. If you don't feel better when you are with someone, then don't hang out with them.

You can be or do or have anything you want in life. Lifestyle is a choice. What's yours?