This is just how life is - or is it?

"If you always do what you've always done;

You'll always get what you've always got"

You read any good NLP (neuro linguistic programming - more about this later) book and you're likely to come across that quotation - I just love it because it reminds me that in order to stop the same things happening over and over (that I would prefer not to happen) and just accepting it as "the deal life has dealt me" I can do something about it - I can break the pattern and make positive changes.

There are many great books out there that tell you how you can make positive changes to improve your life however, as not everyone has time to read books, or frankly, has the inclination, I would like to tell you how I do it.

I first came to NLP as a result of going through a very traumatic time in my life. A time where everything in my world that was most precious to me was slowly slipping away and I hadn't got a clue what to do about it. I didn't know how to cope. For the first time in my life I realised I just didn't know what to do, how to handle the situation or help the people around me that needed help. I dreaded going to bed at night for fear of the nightmares and I dreaded waking up the next morning to face it all over again. I was at my wits end.

What I did know was, that unless I could find a different way to look at the situation, I would never find a way through this horrific "never-ending" maze. NLP I can honestly say brought amazing changes to my life and the lives of those around me. It got me through the really bad times and has improved my life more than I ever thought possible. There is never a day that I don't use the techniques I learned and I believe everyone should have access to this information.

But enough about me - how can I help you?

For all those who get the chance to read this I can promise if you follow the tips I provide, you too can experience life-changing moments.

One thing I would like you to remember - most people find it is much easier to do nothing.

To do something, in order to make positive change, requires effort - but believe me, the changes you can make with NLP will be well worth the very small effort (by comparison) that you will put in.

So let's get started!

Feeling a bit grumpy when you wake up? Not looking forward to facing the day?

Tomorrow I will tell you how to get out of bed feeling much happier about the day ahead!

Sleep well (or do you??)

You know those mornings when you wake up and you have that "yuk" feeling in your stomach - it can't be morning yet!

Getting up, showered, deciding what to wear, having breakfast and getting out to work - and all in an hour - too much like hard work. It's easier to just turn over and have another 5 mins. Now there is only 55 mins to get it all done. The alarm clock goes off again - hit the snooze button, still can't face getting up - turn over - 5 mins later the alarm clock goes off - geez does that clock never give up aaaggghhh. By this time I really am grumpy,not feeling happy at all and am now very late.

If you've ever felt like this - and I'm guessing you have - how does the rest of your day go?

Now, how would it feel if you could turn it around?

Just take a few minutes before you get out of bed and focus on all the things you do have in your life - to help you get started some or all of these may apply to you - and you can add your own:

The fact you are awake and breathing after the night's sleep; your sight; your touch; your feelings; your hearing; the fact you can walk; a bed to sleep in; a roof over your head; warm water to wash in; clothes to wear; food to eat for breakfast; transport to get to work; a job to go to; some wages going into the bank; healthy children, your health, your partner and what they do for you; your family; your friends; where you live; the sunshine; the rain; clear blue skys;

The last thing I would add - spare a moment to SMILE. Even if you have to force yourself to - get up and have a look in the mirror and SMILE - it can make a big difference to how you feel.

I would love to know what things you can add to the list - what have you got in your life to be grateful for.

The trick is not to focus on what you don't have BUT to FOCUS ON ALL YOU DO HAVE IN YOUR LIFE.

Initially your may only find a couple of things that you can find to be grateful for - but you can have a with this by trying to increase the list by at least one more thing every day.

Try it! It certainly works for me.