I love this time of year because our investment in our lives is so apparent. As the weather warms and our doors and windows open we see people out and about active in their lives. Whether it's daytime or evening activities we all seem more engaged in the possibilities and willing to get into the driver's seat creating plans for this energetic summer season.

This is the time of year when we do most of our long-term planning, perhaps a whopping month or two in advance. We plan get-aways, get-togethers and fun. We plan where we will go, who we will go with, how we will get there and what we will do with our time once we arrive. We plot, plan, play out the options and then get into action designing a vacation so that our desired results are within our reach. And just what does all this plotting and planning create for us? Deliberate direction, resonant goals, emotional freedom, the chance to break from old habits and patterns, and the promise of experiencing something new. What is so pronounced about the entire process is that we are eager and excited, fully engaged in our creation, future tripping to our happy place and feelin' the luv!

When we take charge and own that part of our life we find the end result most often akin to our original intent and the positive focus we invest. In the dreaming process we sit in the energy of desire and possibilities and in the planning stages we get into action around what it is we really do want. Bringing our most enlivened and optimistic self to the entire planning process most often gets us what we are asking for - or something very close to it! That's our main goal of "planning a vacation".

Now how about your life? All the different aspects of it; are you planning with all the fervor that you plan your special revitalizing vacation? Are you looking at all the possibilities, combing over the details, covering all the bases, designing your plan of action? It is interesting to note that annually the majority of people plan their 2 week vacation and when it comes to the other 50 weeks of their life they are merely in reaction to external stimuli rather than to any internal goals or focus. That may be a sobering thought but what I'd rather propose to you is that you view it as your invitation to the possibilities.

A plan is essential because when it is in place and supported by your commitment and action it provides the emotional space for creativity, spontaneity and the ability to be present. In this space your path opens up, new opportunities present themselves and you are open and able to see them. Now let's use the strategy of planning a vacation as we look at your life; these tools apply to any area. Pull out your journal and spend some time with yourself. Writing things down is very cathartic.

Eliminate the excuses: There IS time! You DO deserve the change! You are well WORTH the investment of time, energy, money and commitment!

Where do you want to go? What is your heart's desire or that dream you've tucked away? There are things that you look forward to and want more of and less of - define and clarify. Let the legacy you want to leave be your inspiration.

What do you want to do? What in your current situation enlivens you? There are certain elements in your life that you love and your power comes from defining what makes you love them. By truthfully acknowledging what you would do if you really gave yourself permission, you will be better able to understand what success looks like to you.

Who do you want to do it with? What types of people bring out the best in you? Look for those people who hold you accountable to being more of who you are; those who you can learn from, coach or mentor with, model the thoughts and actions of. Find a thought leader worth learning from - they shorten the learning curve for those they guide.

How will you get there? What skills, strengths and talents do you have that will help you along the way? When we are willing to observe perceived obstacles as opportunities we change the trajectory of our journey. Immerse yourself in what is "right" about you and look for ways to develop and personify those traits with more deliberate action.

Focus on the positive and possibilities: When you plan a vacation your thought process is not tedious; you are not fixating on things you don't want to experience. Your thoughts are fully occupied with all things that make you happy, that excite you, that make your investment worthwhile. By using this same strategy for your life you can begin to break old patterns and habituations. This positive change in your focus produces a positive change in your results!

Remember, this can be easier than you think once you clarify and commit. Knowing what you want is a powerful start. Follow it with a plan rich in the "hows" and add a few benchmarks so that you can celebrate your success along the way. Life is born from the baby steps and if you are taking one active step a day your results are guaranteed. As you enlist the energy of the Universe your small goals lead to big results. Whether you are planning a vacation or your life, you are being deliberately creative about the future, setting and attaining one goal after another. You do it every day in small ways, whether you realize it or not. Now it's time to widen your lens to encompass the full picture of your entire life! You came to experience life fully, start planning today!