When things are going great it is so easy to keep that positive attitude. It’s extremely easy to smile that big knowing smile when you’re in the midst of seeing exactly what you want to happen actually happen. But what about when things aren’t going your way? What do you do when things don’t look good. What do you say when your life isn’t “manifesting” what you hoped it would?

I have learned a little trick to keep myself focuses and positive even when I don’t necessarily feel like it. What I do is this: I look past the current events and focus instead on the goal and desire I have to press through. Let me give you an example.

This past month things at my store have been really rough. We have major construction going on downtown. For almost a week, no cars could even get within a quarter mile of the store. We had days without power or phone lines, and just all sorts of problems. I had to explain why sales were low to my reps and work on a plan to get myself out of the hole I was in.

So, I made some changes at the store and started spending more time with my manager thinking of things we can do to drum up business. I had to let some people go and am looking for some new people as well. Instead of letting myself get down and wonder why things weren’t going right, I looked for what good there was and started thinking of ways to make things better.

Another important thing to do is to not narrow your thinking. If things aren’t going good in one area of your life, don’t let it carry over into other areas. It’s important to separate your actions from your feelings. Don’t get caught up with negatiave feelings. Don’t let them affect other areas of your life.

I’m keeping this entry short and sweet. I got a micriphone just the other day, so be looking for my very first podcast coming up here in just a few days!

Here’s another quick entry regarding weight loss. Losing weight is a process, not an instant solution. It takes work, dedication, and patience. Those who succeed usually always have failed numerous times and sort of stumble upon what works for them. That being said, there are 3 questions that you must answer when deciding on a weight loss plan/goal.

1) Why do I want to lose weight?

This is probably the most important question. You must answer this question before you can even attempt to tackle the next two. Are you losing weight for yourself or for someone else? It’s always best to lose weight for your own good. For example, you want to live longer, be more active, or maybe achieve a certain goal like climbing a cliff or something cool like that.

It’s also ok to use other people as an inspiration for your weight loss, but never the reason. If there is a certain person you want to impress with your new look, that’s ok, use that desire to keep you going strong. Emotion is a powerful motivator.

Make sure you write down this answer in explicit detail in your journal and describe why you want to lose weight and how losing the weight would make you feel.

2) When do I want to reach my goal weight?

I’ve said it before but it bears repeating. A goal is a dream with a deadline. Ask yourself when you want to be at your goal weight. You don’t have to be perfect, just create an idea of when you think you’ll be there.

For example, you could say that within 6 months you want to lose 40 pounds. And you want to be at your goal weight within 12 months. Now, work hard to achieve that goal in the time you have allotted. Change the dates some as you get closer to your goal and see how your body works.

Goal setting is sometimes tricky because we set goals and work so hard to keep them. It’s not always possible to reach weight loss goals by the exact date we set because we can’t be sure how our bodies work. Some people lose weight fast while others take time. So far I’ve lost 92 pounds in 6 months. That’s pretty quick, but I still have to lose a lot more weight.

I have tentatively set a date of October of next year to be at my goal weight, but I am well aware that it could happen sooner or later than that date. All I can do each day is work with all I have and strive towards that goal date.

So, set a date and a weight you want to reach. Put that in your journal next.

3) How do I plan to lose the weight?

This is the million dollar question The How-to. You’ll have to decide what plan works best for you. We are all different and have different tastes (literally) and ideas of what is easy and difficult.

When it comes to diets, they usually break down into 3 categories:

1. Low Fat
2. Low Calorie
3. Low Carb

Atkins and South Beach are low carb. Weight Watchers is low calorie. I believe the Mayo Clinic diet is low fat. But all that doesn’t matter. Study online and do your homework. What you’re looking for is an eating plan you like. If you don’t like the foods you’re eating you will never stay with it.

More important than that though is this. You must change your lifestyle. You can’t just go on a “diet”, lose a few pounds, and then go back to eating whatever you want. That’s why you shouldn’t be looking for a diet, you should be looking for a lifestyle.

Personally, I started out eating low carb. I then made adjustments to my eating that I felt fit my lifestyle more. I also keep up with cardio and weight training. This is the best thing to do. Work on your eating habits, then start going to the gym. You will find it easier to make small incremental changes in your lifestyle. It will also be easier to maintain your changes.

Write down your “how” answer in your journal. Be specific in your plan and write how you plan on following the plan you have created.

Now you should have a 1-2 page weight loss goal Q and A sheet. You should read this everyday and work on completing your goal on time.

It doesn’t seem like it right now, but you are well on your way to changing your entire life. Your weight doesn’t have to hold you down. Use it as a chance to show yourself and others that you have the self-discipline and will power to accomplish anything you want.

I know you can do it!