By Georgina El Morshdy It’s inevitable. Your biggest goals and dreams will push you out of your comfort zone. When you want something you’ve never had, you’ve got to do something you’ve never done - and that can be scary.  It’s as Jack Canfield says, “everything you want is on the other side of fear.”  With that quote in mind, it follows that your relationship with fear will influence your experience in life. Specifically, the more you’re able to navigate the unknown and the uncertain, the more life you’ll be able to handle.  That’s why your best self can thrive when you learn to transform fear into focus. When you learn to navigate the discomfort that lies in the uncertain, you’ll become stronger and braver.  But what’s the best way to do that?  Keep reading because we’ve got you covered with THREE powerful strategies that inspire you to leverage fear as a tool for personal growth. Each of these strategies will empower you to move through your fears, so you don’t get stopped. In turn, you’ll create the skills and strength needed to achieve more of what you want to have, be, and do.  Let’s dive in... 1. Take action despite your fear Circa 2009, I decided to do a tandem parachute jump for charity. It’s something I always said I wanted to do but wasn’t sure if I’d have the guts to go through with it! But after visiting a children’s hospice with a group of students, I felt compelled to raise some money for the cause. The parachute jump was on.  It may have been over a decade ago, but I can still remember how I felt as the plane took off and climbed to the necessary height.  I was strangely calm and terrified all at the same time! I distracted myself with the view and simultaneously felt sick at the thought of plummeting to the earth at the speed of terminal velocity!  When the time came, I obediently followed the instructions to move to the side of the plane. I gingerly dangled my feet over the edge into the abyss and resigned myself to the inevitable.  Then we fell… and I was in ecstasy!  The feeling of freefall was like nothing I can describe. The experience was electric and exhilarating. Insane amounts of joy filled my body, which made me feel alive and fully present.  It’s a memory I’ll treasure forever and an experience that makes me proud - even to this day.  The lesson in this story is there are times when you just have to go for it. I could easily have talked myself out of that jump. I didn’t have to do it, but I’m so glad that I did.  There will always be a reason to stop when you reach the edge of your comfort zone. Your logical, analytical brain that’s desperate to keep you safe will always find a reason why you shouldn’t take action.  Sure, there are times when those fears are valid.  But there are other times when you need to override the reservations and do it anyway.  Chances are, the joy you’ll feel on the other side will be more than worth it. What’s more, the second you do something you didn’t think you could do, is the second you transform who you believe yourself to be.  Best of all, when you conquer one fear door, a whole new level of life opens up for you.  So go for it!  2. Visualize yourself doing the fearful thing One of the most powerful tools you have access to as a human is your imagination. You have the power to see any eventuality inside your mind… and you can use this power to your advantage.  Research has found that your brain struggles to differentiate between reality and imagination.  In other words, something you’ve visualized and something you’ve done feels the same to your brain.  This is one of the reasons why athletes see themselves winning and performers see themselves crushing the stage.  Here’s why this practice works… New things feel scary because you’ve never done them before. As a result, you have more worries than reference points of success. Fear will always show up when we’re not certain we can do something. It’s a safety and protective mechanism. We’re reluctant to fail because that triggers fears of rejection and criticism. We don’t want to get hurt either.  But the second you know you can do it, your worries dissolve away.  You don’t have to wait to have a real-life experience to take the edge off your fears.  You can create the illusion of experience through the power of visualization. Try it and see for yourself the impact it has on your life.  3. Journal to understand and transform your fears Inside your journal, you can have a no-holds-barred conversation with yourself where you can reveal all your fears and frustrations.  You can rant.  Sound off.  Throw a tantrum if you like!  You can get ALL the worry, confusion, fogginess, and frustration out of your head, which kick-starts a transformation.  Here’s how journaling can help:  • Take the edge off your fear. With your fearful thoughts revealed on the page, the fear doesn’t feel so heavy or intense.  • Shift your perspective. Empty your fears onto the page and you might find that the situation isn’t as overwhelming as you thought initially. • Acknowledge the fear instead of denying it - which empowers you to do something proactive to change the situation. • Create space for new thoughts and ideas to flow in. • Open the door to a new flurry of questions - ones that take your thinking and idea-generation down the path of empowerment.  In other words, you can use your journal to transform fear into focus.  Journaling can also help you to move the energy associated with those fears. When you write how you feel, you can start to process your emotions - even release them. It’s why journaling can inspire you to cry, release anger and frustration, and free up space.  The power of journaling is that it offers a safe space for raw self-expression. The only person who can judge you in your journal is you! If you can give yourself the love and compassion to feel what is, those feelings will soon dissipate.  And anyway, you can always dispose of the ‘offending’ journal entry if you choose!  [Listen to this podcast for more tips about transforming fear into focus using your journal.] “One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn’t do.” — Henry Ford Humans have unlimited potential.  Just look around and you’ll find countless examples of people who’ve overcome the odds to achieve incredible feats.  If you can conjure something into your imagination, then you can also do that thing. The only barrier in your way is your relationship with fear.  But expand your capacity to hold fear, and your life will open up in the most empowering of ways. So try these strategies on for size. Make it your mission to expand your comfort zone consistently. It’s one of the most potent ways you can thrive and create a life you love. You’ve got this. 

How would your life unravel if you were able to get EXACTLY what you wanted? 

Imagine if more people said YES to your requests and ideas. 
Imagine if you could get more of the right doors to open. 
Imagine if you could secure the opportunities that moved the needle in the direction you want to go. 

By Georgina El Morshdy I remember reading that human attention spans have shrunk in recent years - a trend that seems to coincide with smartphones’ arrival. Back in the year 2000, on average, humans could manage around 12 seconds before getting distracted. Fast-forward to today, and we’re tracking around 8 seconds.  For context, a goldfish manages nine seconds [yep, the human attention span is now less than a goldfish!]  When you look at how life has changed, you can see why this trend may have happened.  In today’s digital world, we’re bombarded with information. The world has gotten very noisy, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. With so many stimulants and so much choice, there’s always an exciting avenue to dive down.  The risk is life becomes superficial and surface level. If you’re always getting ready to jump to the next thing that captures your attention, there’s no space for depth and deeper work. And let’s not forget the detrimental impact that a short attention span can have on your productivity and performance. If you’re forever distracted, it’s going to take you a lot longer than necessary to get things done - and that’s a waste of your minutes [and ultimately your life].  So what’s the solution?  The short answer is to increase your concentration intentionally. Be above average when it comes to the amount of time you can spend before you get distracted.  Here are three powerful techniques that can help you do that.  “Concentration is the secret of strength.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson. 1. Eliminate distractions This first tip is obvious but super important. It’s all about removing the temptations. Let’s say you decided to stop eating chocolate. Would you put a big bar of your favorite treat on your desk? Probably not because that would be torture! Chocolate will be the only thing on your mind.  It’s the same principle with all the things that create a distraction. If you remove them, you’re not going to get interrupted when you’re mid flow.  This means switching off your phone when it’s not appropriate to take calls or browse the internet or social feeds.  Switch off notifications too. You don’t need to see the most recent email or Slack message the instant it pops in. Instead, schedule some catching up time on your planner when you’ll do that.  And if it’s people entering your space that creates a distraction, consider locking the door and putting a KEEP OUT sign on it! I appreciate this can be challenging with kids, but consider the payoff. If you’re able to get tasks done faster, you’ll have more quality time to spend with them once you’re done.  2. Don’t multitask On the surface, multitasking sounds like such a smart thing to do. If you can get two things done at the same time, then why not? For example, writing an email while on a group call or sending invoices while  catching up on some online training  Here’s the problem… Multitasking is a myth. You can’t do two things at once. When you’re multitasking, what’s happening is your brain is switching rapidly from one task to another.  This isn’t efficient because you waste time switching trains of thought. And because you’re jumping around, you can’t get into a deeply creative space.  Instead, focus on one task at a time. [The exception might be listening to a podcast while doing something that doesn’t require much bandwidth such as folding the washing or emptying the dishwasher!]  This tip will make you more productive, and you’ll feel more accomplished, too, because you’ll be able to get under the skin of the things you’re working on. You’ll create space for a level of depth that will create dividends in your life.  3. Do more things that you love Have you noticed that you can stay focused for hours when you’re following your passions and doing something you love? When you’re absorbed and deep into your flow, you’re a lot harder to distract because you’re so focused and consumed.  When you’ve lit this kind of fire, even if someone does want to distract you, you may be too absorbed to notice!  The lesson here is to look at how you spend your day and ask yourself whether you’re satisfied or bored?  If you’re bored, you will be distractible. If you’re doing a task that you hate, you’ll look for any reason to put it down and move to something else. The solution is to work on your willpower - or review your schedule. The more you can stay in your zone of genius, the more you’ll switch on your fire, and the easier it becomes to concentrate fully on the task at hand.  Lee Iacocca said, “The ability to concentrate and to use time well is everything.” It might take some discipline and more intentional management of your time and schedule to create an environment where deep concentration comes more naturally, but the payoff is enormous.  If you’re a human who can concentrate, you’ll get more done quicker, build capacity for deep work, and have more control and influence over your time.  Surely these rewards are worth the effort and the commitment it takes to move your concentration span beyond that of a goldfish!  

By Georgina El Morshdy Have you thought about starting a journaling habit? If so, you’re in good company. Here’s what the legendary Jim Rohn had to say about this proactive... “If you’re serious about becoming a wealthy, powerful, sophisticated, healthy, influential, cultured, and unique individual, keep a journal.”  And he wasn’t the only high-performer to journal regularly. Everyone from Steve Jobs to Oprah Winfrey to Benjamin Franklin had journals in their life.  For a good reason!  Journaling offers many, MANY benefits.  Everything from creating more clarity, processing challenging emotions, and helping you get clear on your next steps [to name just a few].  Those blank pages plus your thoughts, reflections, and experiences can unlock your genius within - and help you write your way to your best self.  How can you ensure you get maximum value from journaling?  The simplest way is to make journaling a habit.  When journaling becomes a part of your identity, you don’t have to convince yourself to pull open your notebook because you’ll do it instinctively [in the same way that you never go to bed without cleaning your teeth]. The day doesn’t feel complete until you’ve completed your journaling practice.  And if you’re wondering how you get to that point, keep reading, and discover five simple steps.  1. Commit to it! This first step is so simple, yet so profound. You have to commit to the practice and, more importantly, to yourself.  Don’t dip a toe in the water. Instead, dive all-in. Don’t TRY to make journaling a habit [have you ever tried to pick up a chair? You can try, you can only do].  Instead, choose to see yourself as a journaler from this point forward.  No excuses and no exceptions!  The remaining four tips will make this commitment easier.  2. Know your WHY behind it. It’s easier to commit to a new habit when you know your WHY. We’re creatures of habit! We like what we know because it feels safe, certain, and comfortable. Any attempt to step out of what you know creates a degree of stress. That’s why we resist - even when we KNOW that a new choice is better for us.  So don’t underestimate the amount of effort it takes to get yourself moving! It takes a lot to overcome inertia.  But there is a strategy you can use to move through any resistance you feel - and that’s your WHY.  If journaling is simply a means to an end - something you feel you should do because others say it’s a good idea,  it’s going to be tough to stay committed because life happens and other priorities will show up. But unlock your WHY, and you’ll have access to a motivating force that calls you to step up and show up - even when you don’t feel like it.   When you know your WHY, your journaling becomes more purposeful and meaningful. When you connect to your own reasons for wanting to commit to this practice, it’s easier to remind yourself why you’re doing this work.  So figure out your WHY.  You can do this by asking yourself the question WHY!  But don’t stop at your first answer. Instead, aim to go at least three layers deep. When you do, you’ll tap into something more authentic - and therefore, a much stronger motivator for you.  3. Stack it. One of the easiest ways to commit to a new habit is to stack it on top of an already established habit. That way, your existing routine becomes the trigger then reminds you to do your journaling habit.  For example, you may decide to journal as part of your morning routine. Specifically, you may choose to journal WHILE drinking your morning coffee [or, in my case, my morning cup of tea]. Alternatively, you may decide to journal after you’ve taken your daily power walk.  Habit stacking works because existing habits are already hardwired. Neurologically, it’s easier to attach a new habit to an existing path of neurons rather than trying to start one from scratch.  Looking at your existing habits, when does journaling fit in best?  When you know, tip four is going to help you stick even further. 4. Schedule it. How often do you miss an appointment?  I’m willing to bet that the answer is ‘rarely’ - because once the date is set, you schedule the appointment into your life.  And what gets planned gets done.  This principle applies to your journaling habit too.  Simply pick a time that you’ll journal each day and diarise it. That way, you’ll know that you have the time to put pen to paper - and you’re more likely to get to writing :-)  5. Track it. Finally, I recommend using a Habit Tracker because it’s such an effective tool for establishing a new habit.  It’s super easy too.  All you need to do is put a big check each day you complete your habit and watch your winning streak grow. Before you know it, that chain of wins will become so long, it feels more painful to break the chain than to keep going! What’s more, each check gives you a little motivational boost because you’ve acknowledged a win. That dopamine hit can motivate you to keep going - regardless.  Five simple steps to one powerful good habit Quick recap. If you want to extract the maximum benefits from journaling, choose to make it a habit - with the help of these FIVE tips:  COMMIT to it Know your WHY behind it STACK it  SCHEDULE it TRACK it Remember, this process will work for any habit you want to embed into your life.  So if you want ideas for which habits to try, check out this list of 101 ideas.  And if you want more journaling tips, techniques, and prompts, check out the Writing Your Best Self podcast.

By Georgina El Morshdy Does stress get in the way of you being your best self?  We all have different stress thresholds. What overwhelms me may feel like a tiny niggle to you! What’s more, stress is unavoidable because it’s an innate response to life’s opportunities, circumstances, and challenges.  The good news is that some stress can be useful for you because it inspires focus and action. But of course, there’s a flip side.  Besides detrimental health concerns such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes, stress can impact your ability to show up as your best self.  Stress can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unable to manage pressure. It can spark nerves and panic, which reduces your emotional intelligence or ability to think clearly. In turn, it becomes harder to feel decisive. You can miss out on opportunities, too - believing you can’t cope with the pressure they’ll place on you. Stress can negatively impact your relationships as well - causing you to shut down or push people away.  When stress gets out of control, it can have a detrimental impact on your quality of life and your ability to achieve your goals.  That’s why it’s smart to have a series of techniques and measures in your toolbox - so you can better deal with stress when it does show up.  There’s a second benefit to knowing how to manage your stress.  The more you can cope with pressure, the more capacity you’ll cultivate to hold all that life has to offer - both the ups and the downs.  Check out these five simple, yet powerful strategies for managing stress. 1. Accept the moment as it is  A lot of the stress comes from resisting what is. Unfortunately, no amount of wishing can change the situation. What’s present is what’s present.  The problem with resisting the now is that you give away all your power.  It’s ok to feel angry, frustrated, sad, annoyed, overwhelmed - or whatever emotion a stressful situation creates for you.  Don’t make your feelings wrong. Permit yourself to feel them.  Also, allow yourself to accept fully.  Acceptance can be painful, but it’s also a hard-hitting reality check that sharpens your focus. When you’re clear on what you’re facing, you’re better placed to take action and find solutions.    2. Breathe Breathing is one of the simplest and quickest ways to combat stressful moments and situations.  Deep breathing changes the way you feel by slowing your heart rate, allowing more oxygen into the bloodstream. This process increases the circulation of ‘feel good’ endorphins too.   A conscious focus on your breath also brings your focus back to the present moment. It grounds you in what is happening NOW - not what might show up in the future. The only time in which you can take action is the present moment. When you’re present in the now, you tap into creativity and get clarity over your next steps. What’s more, breathing can be done anytime and anywhere - even during a busy commute or an uncomfortable conversation. It’s a practice you can do here and now, and this accessibility is powerful.  3. Create a stress log Did you know that the average person has around 70,000 thoughts a day? Crazy, right? What’s more, a big chunk of those thoughts are low-level and repetitive meaning they don’t really go anywhere.  Stress and overwhelm can take over your thinking.  And when we’re worried about something, our minds can take us to all kinds of dark and intimidating places. As a result, we can find ourselves worrying about what might be - and often, the thought of what might happen is a lot worse than reality.  An overthinking, hyper-stressed mind has little space to breathe and let things be.  This is the power of a stress log.  Take all the things that are causing you stress and anxiety out of your head and put them on paper. You’ll find this is a powerful strategy to free up headspace and bandwidth.  See your stress log as an external brain - something that can hold everything safe for you, but without you needing to keep it in your mind.  This process is surprisingly healing… The act of writing things down helps you organize and process information outside of your head. With a clear head, stress takes on a different weight. When you see what’s bothering you in the written word, you’ll find it easier to spot priorities. You’ll know where you’ve blown things out of proportion and you’ll also identify areas where you can take action.  There’s power in unleashing the ability to move forward.  A stress log will help you do that.  4. Track stress  Understanding your own stress response can be a huge help when it comes to managing your stress.  The more aware you become of your relationship with stress, the more proactive you can be in its management.  A stress tracker can be an invaluable tool for making your stress visible—[And what’s visible will always be easier to manage]. Use your log to track your triggers. You may want to rate the intensity of different situations and also make a note of whether the trigger is in or out of your control.  As you gather this information, you’ll start to see a pattern. In turn, you can implement measures and guardrails to reduce the occurrence and intensity of the stress you feel.  5. Take action Stress can make you feel stuck and stagnant, and then the energy of stress compounds on itself leaving you feeling even worse.  Doing something when you’re stressed can help you work through the emotion and come out the other side feeling freer. Choose to believe there’s ALWAYS something you can do in any stressful situation - even if the situation is overwhelming and tough.  The Stress Dissolver Tool inside the Stress Management Pack is a useful tool that can help you understand the cause of your stress and plan your next steps.  Use this template to become the witness of the situation. Examine what’s happening from the outside looking in, and just like you can always advise a good friend, you’ll likely find some words of wisdom for yourself.  Just writing down an action plan can make you feel empowered - because at least you can see that there is a way forward, even if the road ahead isn’t perfect.  Are you looking for tools to help you manage stress effectively?  If so, check out the downloadable Stress Management Pack. Inside, you’ll discover a collection of six tools that will help you understand, manage, and dissolve the stress you feel in your life - so you can cope better with pressure and feel your best self.

Core values are a compass that help you align your decisions, live with purpose and find out what makes you tick. Join Cathryn Lavery, founder and CEO of BestSelf Co. and Jay Papasan, Co-Author of The ONE Thing for this one hour webinar where they'll share how to define your core values utilizing The ONE Thing Core Values Deck created in partnership with each other.

When it comes to lists of motivational quotes, it’s not unusual for men to feature more frequently than women. So in celebration of International Women’s Day, we’ve put together a list of quotes by women only. Keep reading to discover 50 pearls of wisdom from 50 inspirational women who have made a huge impact. We hope they inspire you to dream bigger, take risks, and become your best self. 1. “Don’t compromise yourself. You are all you’ve got.” — Janis Joplin 2. “We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.” — Malala Yousafzai 3. "I do not wish [women] to have power over men; but over themselves." — Mary Wollstonecraft 4. "I do know one thing about me: I don't measure myself by others' expectations or let others define my worth." — Sonia Sotomayor 5. “The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn. We are filled with the popular wisdom of several centuries just past, and we are terrified to give it up.” — Gloria Steinem 6. “We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained." — Marie Curie 7. "What makes you different or weird, that's your strength." — Meryl Streep 8. “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou 9. "I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear." — Rosa Parks 10. "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." — Anne Frank 11. “You are more powerful than you know; you are beautiful just as you are.” — Melissa Etheridge 12. "We need to reshape our own perception of how we view ourselves. We have to step up as women and take the lead." — Beyoncé 13. “No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half of its citizens.”  — Michelle Obama 14. “I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” — Estée Lauder 15. "The more you can be authentic, the happier you're going to be, and life will work itself around that." — Melinda Gates 16. "Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen." — Brené Brown. 17. "Whatever anybody says or does, assume positive intent. You will be amazed at how your whole approach to a person or problem becomes very different." — Indra Nooyi 18. “Always be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.” — Judy Garland 19. “Fearlessness is like a muscle. I know from my own life that the more I exercise it the more natural it becomes to not let my fears run me.”  — Arianna Huffington 20. “A woman is the full circle. Within her is the ability to create, nurture, and transform.” — Diane Mariechild 21. “You have what it takes to be a victorious, independent, fearless woman.” — Tyra Banks 22. “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.” — Dolly Parton 23. “When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”  — Helen Keller 24. "On my own I will just create, and if it works, it works, and if it doesn’t, I’ll create something else. I don’t have any limitations on what I think I could do or be." — Oprah Winfrey 25. “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” — Eleanor Roosevelt 26. “It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but even more to stand up to your friends.” — J. K. Rowling 27. “I can’t think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself.” — Emma Stone 28. “Giving up doesn’t always mean you’re weak. Sometimes you’re just strong enough to let go.” — Taylor Swift 29. “It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent.” — Madeleine Albright 30. “Stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone ought to be.” — Elizabeth Gilbert 31. “Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius, and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.”  — Marilyn Monroe 32. “If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not making decisions.” — Catherine Cook 33. “You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.” — Rosalynn Carter 34. “And the trouble is, if you don’t risk anything, you risk more.” — Erica Jong 35. “For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” — Audrey Hepburn 36. “I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done.” — Lucille Ball 37. "A girl should be two things:  who and what she wants." — Coco Chanel 38. “Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.” — Golda Meir 39. “I hope the fathers and mothers of little girls will look at them and say ‘yes, women can.’” — Dilma Rousseff 40. “Always go with the choice that scares you the most, because that’s the one that is going to require the most from you.” — Caroline Myss 41. "Women belong in all places where decisions are being made... It shouldn't be that women are the exception." — Ruth Bader Ginsburg 42. “Done is better than perfect.” — Sheryl Sandberg 43. “When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak.” — Audre Lorde 44. “The most effective way to do it, is to do it.” — Amelia Earhart 45. “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” — Anais Nin 46. “Whatever you do, be different – that was the advice my mother gave me, and I can’t think of better advice for an entrepreneur. If you’re different, you will stand out.”—Anita Roddick 47. “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” — Alice Walker 48. "I decided I can't pay a person to rewind time, so I may as well get over it." — Serena Williams 49. “I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship.” — Mary Louise Alcott 50. "The most important words that have helped me in life, when things have gone right or when things have gone wrong, are 'accept responsibility.’” — Billie Jean King Other quote articles you might like… 15 Quotes About Forgiveness That Can Set You Free 40 Intimacy Quotes That Will Leave You Feeling More Connected 18 Entrepreneur Quotes To Keep You Motivated 10 Mindfulness Quotes To Improve Happiness & Eliminate Stress 50 Quotes That Inspire You To Think Bigger, Achieve More, and Enjoy Today 52 Gratitude Quotes That Inspire An Attitude Of Gratitude

Your Core Values are the things you care about the most. In this way, your Core Values create a compass within that points to your true north. 

By Georgina El Morshdy When you cut to the core, you want to feel good about yourself and your life. How you make that a reality is a journey of self-discovery that’s unique to us all. We all have different dreams, desires, and goals that serve to take us in the direction of our best self.  Your Core Values are a tool that can bring more alignment, purpose, and fulfillment to your life.  Define your three Core Values, and you’ll create a compass within that will help you make decisions, set the right goals, and infuse your life with more of the things you love.  Your Core Values are a sure-fire way to create your best life - but only if you live them!  [Define your Core Values with the Core Values Deck] Here’s how... Tip #1: Review your calendar Your calendar is a powerful, unforgiving reflection of what you value most in your life. Remember, the way you allocate your time disproportionally influences the experiences and opportunities you have in your life. A Core Value isn’t a real Core Value unless it’s an intrinsic part of your being.  In other words, if your calendar fails to feature a value you say you care about, that value is an aspiration - not a part of your identity.  For example, if you say you value FAMILY, but your calendar says otherwise, it’s essential to take a cold hard look at how you prioritize your commitments and the way you live your life. In a similar vein, if you say you value CREATIVITY but leave zero space to play and explore ideas, you’re valuing something else more highly.  It can feel uncomfortable acknowledging when you’re prioritizing something else - for example, work over family or achievement over creativity. However, once you know the truth, you have the power to do something to change it.  Tip #2: Schedule activities that align with your core values  One way to live your Core Values is to make quality, focused time for those values.  This process starts by deciding what each value means for you [for example, how I see adventure could be different from how you view this value]. Here’s a worksheet to help you capture this critical thinking.  Next, get creative and explore ideas for activities you could schedule to experience different values into your life:  ADVENTURE: Mystery tours. Be a tourist in your home town. Travelling.  CREATIVITY: Write. Paint. Craft. Journal. Dance. Cook. Bake.  GRACE: Gratitude. Prayer. Meditation.  SELF-RELIANCE: Complete projects. Alone time. Learn a skill that you rely on others for currently.  BRAVERY: Trying something new. Expanding your comfort zone. Even better, consider your values when setting your next round of goals.  In the words of Gary Keller and Jay Papasan, “The prescription for extraordinary results is knowing what matters to you and taking daily doses of actions in alignment with it.” If you have the intention to shift the proportion of your life that’s Core Values rich - you’ll soon feel happier, more aligned, and ultimately more fulfilled.   Tip #3: Eliminate tasks, to-dos, expectations, and responsibilities that don’t align with your core values.  Living a value-led life isn’t about adding new things alone; it’s also about eliminating things you don’t care about or value highly.  Think about it. Why waste time and energy doing things that aren’t important to you?! Instead:  Delegate.  Invest in help.  Build your team.  Allocate household chores differently.  Stop doing the things you only do because you think you should!  There are plenty of ways to free up space in your life. I promise this tip could be one of the most liberating steps you ever take!    Tip #4: Reflect on your values before making decisions. Roy E. Disney said, “When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.”  It’s easy to get trapped in the realm of shoulds and musts - or this is the way it’s always been!  If we’re not mindful, we can end up making decisions that don’t serve our best self. Worse than that… we risk making decisions that take us further away from where we want to go.  Your Core Values provide a sounding board that can help you decide which is the right choice for you.  As you consider your options, tap into which one feels most aligned to the values you prize.  [And if you end up choosing a different option, it’s worth reflecting on which value is most important in your life!]  With your values to guide you, it’s easier to make choices that feel good.  Tip #5: Journal  Your Core Values form a piece of your identity. Discovering and choosing your values is an act of self-awareness. Find your values, and you’ll deepen the relationship you have with yourself.  The more you know yourself, the more you’re able to step into your best self.  This inner work can take time - especially if you’ve never given yourself space or permission to ask yourself what you want.  But it’s also beautiful work - because it takes you back to you and puts your life back in your control.  Your journal is one of the best places to explore who you are. It’s a place where you can meet yourself.  What’s more, because your journal can hold anything you throw at it, you’re able to make deep, profound discoveries that could transform your life.  Here are some Core Values based questions to journal about:  1. What do you really care about and WHY?[TIP: Don’t stop at your first why answer. Instead, dive deeper and get to the core. The deeper answers might surprise you.] 2. Why aren’t you living the values you say you prize?What are the blocks and barriers? [When you know what’s in your way, it’s easier to find a new way forward.] 3. If time and money were no object [and you had a magic wand that could make anything a reality], how would you live your life?Your answer to this question will give you a different perspective on what you value most.  As you can see, there are plenty of ways to weave your Core Values into your life.  What are your favorite ways to live with more purpose? Let us know on social tagging @bestselfco.