We all have many different areas and elements that together make up our lives. But are the ones that make up your life right now there by design or default?

Read the following two statements and notice which best describes how you are and how your life unfolds -

a) I have a clear vision and plan of how I want my life to be. I create and seek out the opportunities I need to bring me closer to this ideal life. I'm confident and take actions that move me forward. I act and respond positively to the results I get. I'm continually accessing and developing my creative abilities and talents. I'm open minded and willing to hear new ideas and embrace new opportunities. I'm determined and progressing steadily and surely towards becoming the best person I can be and living the rewarding life I deserve.

b) I'm in a set of circumstances I'm not really happy with and didn't really choose. I'm in a job I fell into and never climbed out of again. I have habits and patterns that hold me back - these began just because that's what everyone was doing at the time. My relationship is OK, I'm lucky really and I doubt anyone else would put up with me. I know things can be better and that I'm capable of far more but I'm afraid of trying new things and feel I'm to set in my ways to change.

In reality it's likely you're somewhere in between these two extreme ends of the scale.

The first describes someone who lives to their own design. They create the life they want and continually and steadily take action towards being true to themselves and living the best life they can.

The second describes someone who lives by default. When there's a choice or decision to be made they take the easiest option, the option that seems least painful. As a result their life is a series of circumstances they feel they "fell into". They don't feel they have the power to choose. In fact most of the time they simply choose not to choose.

Which elements of each of these do you relate to most?

More importantly, which of these two descriptions would you LIKE to describe your life?

To quote Dr Wayne W. Dyer - "There are some people who live 70 years, and there are some people who live one year 70 times..."

Which are you most like?

Being in tune with our creativity is just the first part of leading a fulfilling life. Being aware of - and making best use of - the vast creative abilities we all have within us, and imagining and planning a life that allows us to be the best we can be, is a vital starting point.

If we stop there however - at the point of vision and imagination - we may as well not have even bothered to have the vision in the first place. Having a clear idea of how you want your best life to be and not making any progress towards it can be even more frustrating than having no vision or dreams at all!

So what can YOU do today to begin to move your life away from one of default and into one of your own design?

Think about the one single thing in your life you could change to bring you closer to your vision of your ideal life. What could you start doing, or stop doing, TODAY that will have a significant impact on your day to day life and your progress forward?

For the next 30 days, take this action - either starting or stopping the thing you just identified - and commit to it. Do whatever you need to hold yourself to it. Write it in your diary or on notes posted on prominent areas. Ask someone close to you to help you, or find someone who's willing to do a similar thing in their life and support each other.

See it as a creative experiment. You could well amaze yourself at what you achieve...

Copyright 2006 Dan Goodwin.