CHANGE YOUR LIFE IN 30 DAYS - WEEK TWO

Week 2: Clear out all the stuff that drains your energy and stops you from moving forward:

Create 35 baby steps (5 babysteps per day for the next 7 days) using the weekly plan below for inspiration.

Day 8: Focus on WHO you want to be, rather than what you have to do. When you change behaviour you usually just change what you’re doing – if you want to lose weight, you’ll stop eating cake and start going swimming on Monday. Try a different approach and ask yourself - WHO do you want to become? (E.g. I am someone who takes care of my body at such a luxurious level that I feel pampered) Then become that person. Ask yourself what actions would this person take?

If you want to be become a person who has enormous amounts of energy – what would you eat, how would you deal with stress, how would you get up each morning? Step into your new identity, and then simply become an actor who is playing a part and 'act as if'. If you're someone who is lithe and energetic, act as if you are - buy a body hugging top and dance wildly round your living room. If you decide to be gloriously serene, act as if you are and have your hair highlighted red and then book a meditation course. Act as if, be it, do it!

Day 9: Calm down, calm down. If you’re drinking coffee to get you going, eating sugar to calm you down and are always late (although it’s never you’re fault) you’re an adrenaline junkie and you may find it hard to keep to your goals as you're constantly overpromising and setting yourself up to fail by trying to cram too much into your life. Identify three triggers, which give you the adrenaline rush and eliminate them. For example, if you’re constantly late, leave 15 minutes early for every appointment, if you’re constantly overpromising, deliberately underpromise regardless of the reaction you get.

Day 10: What is really draining your energy? Putting up with rubbish in your life holds you back – be it needy friends, the junk in your cupboards or the junk food in your diet. It’s time to get clear. Make a list of three things you are tolerating at home or at work – then blitz that list TODAY.

Day 11: Get some adoration. What three steps can you take in the next week which will allow you to spend time with people who you adore and who adore you? If this means canceling all the appointments you have with the people who drain you, waste your time and energy – so be it. Basking in negative energy will get you more of the same so hang out with the people who want nothing more than to love you.

Day 12: Get to the root of bad behaviour. Trying to change a badhabit such as smoking or overeating by developing more self-discipline rarely works because bad habits can simply be symptoms of a bigger issue. Commit to doing whatever you have to do to get to the root of the problem once and for all – whether that be hypnotherapy, counselling or hiring a coach. No more procrastinating – just sort it out once and for all. The UK Register of Counsellors will supply you with a list of accredited and trained counsellors in your area. Call 01788-568739. To find a hypnotherapist, telephone the British Hypnotherapy Association 020 7723 4443. To hire a coach, telephone www.thebig-leap.com

Day 13: Turn off the TV for a week You'll be astounded at how much time you suddenly create and extra calories you can burn just by switching off the telly. For example, if instead of watching TV for three hours a night four days a week, you went a walk one night, cleared your cupboards out another, took part in an aerobics class another night, started to learn how to horse ride at the weekend, you will burn a staggering extra 5,000 calories a week. That's means you're losing a pound and half of weight a week just by making one finger movement on the remote control.

Day 14: Just say NO!  Just for today, resist temptation, say no to second helpings, buying clothes you don’t need or losing your temper and be aware of how much control you really do have in your life.