These two words can rattle me to my very core in varying degrees and in a variety of situations.

In taking risk I have found it helpful to take a look at what area of my life needs to attention but where do I begin? Recently I purchased a magnet that simply states “begin anywhere,” although that may work sometimes just putting one foot in front of the other, it is when I am stuck in a state of confusion or fear that stops me dead in my tracks until I found this visual tool that helps me to begin somewhere.

Everyone six months or so I like to do an exercise that can help me to track my progress and keep me away from my flat tire and give me a visual of where I am, it is based on the four quadrants of life based on Stephen Covey’s work on personal leadership. The four quadrants of life are:
Wealth/abundance
Spiritual
Physical
Emotional/relationship

There is time in each of our lives when we feel a little off kilter, when something just isn’t right. That is a great indicator that it may be time to take a risk, to get off the couch, to do something different. I have found by viewing my life in sections it can help to isolate the area being able to take smaller bites and not going into over whelm.

To help take a better look at what areas in your life could use some work take out a blank piece of paper and draw a circle. Through the outer edges of the circle draw a big X. From the center of this X on each line write the numbers 1 through 10. 1 being in the center and 10 on the outer edge of the circle. In each area between the lines write in one of the quadrant categories listed above. Take a look at each category and rate it on a scale of 1 to 10 of how accomplished you feel. Once each line is marked then connect the dots which will give you a good visual of what area(s) need attention.

It’s rare that we ever really end up with a perfect circle which would represent balance in all areas of our lives but the key is to not be so far off in one area that the connecting line looks like a flat tire instead of a circle which I can tell you from personal experience is a wake up call that something needs to change. This visual for me is a reminder of where to focus my energies, from that perspective I can begin to chart a course of action to begin to make the changes necessary to live a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Within each of these areas there is some element of risk, some of course bigger than others but risk just the same. I love Eleanor Roosevelt’s quote “do something that scares you every day,” it helps me to realize that sometimes being uncomfortable or scared is a good thing. It is an indicator that I need to do something different and that I am the only one that can make the move. So what is it for you that you need to confront? What have you put on the back burner or swept under the carpet that needs to be addressed before you either burn yourself or trip over it? What is in your way of achieving your dreams, goals and desires?

As Nike says:
JUST DO IT

As the Santa Ana winds blow they bring about change, a gentle anticipation of new things to come. In the movie “The Holiday,” Jack Black describes the Santa Ana winds as a time where “anything can happen.”

What would that “anything” be in your life? Imagine a wind so strong that you are stripped of your past, and all that was left standing was you today, right now, in this present moment.

Imagine the next move you make, the next thought you think will determine your fate. What would those movements or thoughts be or would you stand frozen, stuck as though your feet were planted in cement, wrought with fear or confusion?

As the New Year is upon us take a few minutes to contemplate this image, New Year, new beginning, clean slate. Have you set yourself up for success in 2012, or will you just go through the motions.

Many of us really stink at self-discipline hence the reason we never seem to quite make our goals or achieve our dreams. Sure if we want a new car, we get one; if we want a new smart phone, we get one; but where we miss the mark is realizing that the same goal setting and clear intention that got us the new car or smart phone are the same goal setting techniques that can get us anything else we desire with emotion. Determining your goals whether they be personal, financial or business related will set you on a course for success. Charting your course, being self-disciplined to create a plan, visualizing your goals daily, moving forward step by step celebrating the small wins along the way will help you to stay on course.

Here are some tips to help you stay on track:
- Celebrate small wins
- Enlist those around you to help you stay on track
- Create deadlines on a calendar that you see daily
- Place small messages and pictures of your goals on a vision board and place it where you will be able to view it several times a day
- Spend 10 minutes daily (that’s the hard part) quietly visualizing that you have already achieved your goal so much so that you are able to feel the exhilaration of achievement
- Write down 3 things you are grateful for each morning before your feet hit the floor.

Once you get into the habit of abundance and prosperity all that you seek with clear intention will be placed in front of you, it is up to you to reach out and grab it with gusto!