We often spend our time just performing the same tasks day in and day out. We start the day with our morning routine, end it with our bedtime routine, and fill the middle with the same things. This is our lives. We can go about our day mindlessly without giving much thought to what we are really doing.

It’s easy.

t’s uninspiring. 

It doesn’t have to be this way.  Living a life that isn’t draining but is fulfilling is possible. A life that is exciting and joyful is achievable. Setting and meeting our goals is a reality. It’s just that to live this kind of life we must be intentional about our days and the tasks that fill them. Basically, we have to slow down, take a step back, examine what we are doing, and our approach life

Human beings are habitual. In some cases, this makes us more efficient. We don’t have to put much thought into driving our cars, getting ready in the morning, and other mundane tasks. The downside of being habitual is that sometimes our routines are not as efficient as they should be, our lives can be a little lackluster, and our goals can go unmet.

This is why stepping back from time to time and assessing why we are doing what we are doing is so beneficial. Just like a company analyzing where they are and how they can improve, we must analyze our approach.

One of my sayings is, “Before you can change your life, you must change your approach to life.” So, as we enter the next cycle of the year, this may be an optimal time to examine our lives and prepare to make the changes we deem necessary.

We have almost closed the summer chapter. Summer’s long, lazy days will soon be behind us. The kids are back in school. It’s post-Labor Day.  Vacation travel is done. Now that the relaxation of summer is ending and the usual structure of our lives is beginning to take form, it’s a good time to take a couple of minutes to think about your approach to life. Here are some ideas to get you going.

• Crystalize your goals

• Communicate better

• Develop a fitness routine

• Read more

• Reengage with that idea in the back of your mind

• Finally, work on that much-delayed project

• Improve your processes and habits

 The bottom line is to take time out from everyday life to change your approach to living. Your goals are waiting for you. However, you have to change to reach them.