Do you feel like you have little control over how you are living your life? Step back and assess how you would like to live your life with more purpose. Your life is one of constant choices throughout your day, and some of those choices can direct you to feeling more purposeful and authentic in how you spend your time. Do you feel that your time is spent in activities not of your choosing? These tips may help you set boundaries so you have more time, make quality choices based on your values, and become much more selective in how you use your time.

>Tip 1. Make choices based on what you really value and need in your life. Create time priorities to satisfy your unique values that will bring you an awareness of who you are and your fulfillment. You may have to prioritize what activities you participate in based on a rating of importance of certain activities, if you have a number of activities that you value. Or perhaps alternate your choices each month.

>Tip 2. Who you are today may be different than who you were before and your standards should reflect that. Raise your standards by telling those around you how you want to be treated and respected. Be able to inform others about how you want them to speak and act in certain situations. you need to educate your environment.

>Tip 3. Prioritize your time by putting yourself first and finding self nurturing activities. Be your best by setting aside small amounts of time to just be you versus doing what others ask of you. Be aware that we all need different amounts of this time.

>Tip 4. Have a partner or comrade to challenge you to consistently reach for what you specifically want, especially those ideas that may be outside of your present comfort zone. Be willing to stretch a bit to feel excited about and pulled toward your goals.

>Tip 5. Learn more about yourself by joining or forming new community groups that will encourage you to learn new things, find ways to use your skills and strengths, and develop your communication skills. Find a community or two of people who will stretch your imagination.

>Tip 6. Volunteer or sign up for new classes at places that feed your soul and make you come alive, even if it makes little sense to others. This challenge is great for developing you in new directions that may enliven previous interests that you may now have time to pursue.

>Tip 7. Do what you like without guilt. Many folks think they must have their calendars fully scheduled or they will miss out on something. This tip gives you permission to just be in the flow, without adjusting priorities. Be in the flow and know your inner guide is assisting you in finding all that you need at the time.

During an outdoor retreat I facilitated this month a group of explorers clarified and committed to some high priorities for themselves for improving the quality of their lives. The intentions ranged from having fun on a daily basis, to staying focused on a healthy diet, to gaining peace of mind through improved communication and family relationships, to prioritizing on exercise and movement.

Challenge for this week: What is of highest priority that you would like to change for improving your quality of life? I challenge each of you to review what is most important for you to increase your quality of life. Write it down and find someone who will hold you accountable to taking the steps needed to attain it. I’m interested in hearing what happens and how the changes affect you.