There is a little recipe that I use in my life that I have found to be helpful over and over again. I call it “The Seven Steps.” I use it as a blueprint for each new endeavor or project I am about to embark on. I have also found it useful in my personal life. I hope you can find it beneficial too.

1. FORGIVE YOURSELF. Many of our pasts are filled with bad choices and mistakes. We’re not perfect, and we have to admit to ourselves “That’s okay”. If you’ve hurt somebody, by all means, say you’re sorry. The important point here is to accept the mistake, correct it if possible, forgive yourself, and move on.

2. CLEAR THE DECKS. There are always reasons why things go wrong. It’s neccessary that we realize sometimes we do things and surround ourselves with negativity. It can come in the form of a bad habit, or bad relationships, but one thing is clear, if the level of negativity is not decreased it becomes very hard to continue a forward progression.

3. CHART A COURSE. Ask yourself, “What is it I want to do?” “Where do I see my life heading?” It’s very difficult to sail a ship without charts. You never know where you may end up….. perhaps in a port where you don’t belong.

4. LINK THE DAYS. Don’t look at your plan as a huge mountain to climb all at once. See the days as links in a chain, that when strung together become bold and strong.

5. POSITIVE INPUT. I cannot express enough how important it is to surround yourself with positive influences. They are the fuel for your dreams. Create a little library of books you can constantly go to for re- inforcement. Have a chat with a supportive friend…it can work wonders.

6. WORK HARD. Nothing truly good comes easy. Anybody who tells you it does….beware. Working hard on your goals gives you a tremendous sense of accomplishment, once they are realized. To move down a road, you need “drive”. Not too fast, or not too slow. I’m a big believer in “cruise control.”

7. CELEBRATE EACH STEP. Each milestone on your journey, have a celebration….you have earned it. It’s okay to pat yourself on the back. Every celebration on the ladder of success builds momentum, and you’ll discover there is alot to be said for momentum. It creates a wave to push you further forward.

These are my points of reference I try to follow in my life. Even when we fail, it’s so important to keep trying. The effort justifies our reasons for being.

Take the time to love,

Jennifer Avalon
© 1998 Jennifer Avalon