The 12 Days of Illumination: Day 2

You're only one decision away from a totally different life

Welcome to Day 2 of The 12 Days of Illumination, a special daily dose of inspiration and easy-to-incorporate insights running from December 20 through the end of the year. Be sure to check out the archives to catch up on previous issues, and feel free to share this one with your friends. Or better yet, invite them to join our Illuminate Me tribe!

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The good news: You’re only one decision away from a totally different life.

Making a positive, life-changing decision requires three steps for success:

1. Awareness

When we’re unhappy, it can often feel like there’s no way out, but you always have options. The first step in making a choice is the awareness that you have one. At this stage, it’s not about editing yourself on what’s possible; it’s about being mindful that change starts with you and your attitude.

(Note: Choosing not to make a change is also a choice; if you’re not changing it, you’re choosing it.)

2. Attention with intention

Once you’ve realized that change is an internal job, consider those things within your control and how they impact—for better or worse—what you want. Bring your attention to your intention, and ask yourself what’s the one thing you can do right now to bring you closer to your goals. This need not be a grandiose, sweeping gesture; the biggest change starts with a small step in a new direction.

3. Action

This last step may seem obvious, but far too often, we fail to act, even when we know that making a change is in our best interest. Nothing changes if nothing changes. And action begets more action, giving us the much-needed momentum to keep going, no matter how slowly we start.

Shine on,

Amy

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P.P.S. When I’m not creating daily doses of illuminating insights, I’m a social media ghostwriter. (Yep, that’s a thing). I help founders, entrepreneurs, and CXOs craft their stories to communicate and connect better by magnifying their reach and impact. (Think personal branding and thought leadership.) Learn more here.

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