The name of the game is CHANGE -- thats true at work, and its also true in life. In both situations there are FOUR skills you can trust:

1. LISTEN TO YOURSELF. Try to trust your intuitive judgement. Often, this displays itself as the very first thought you have in a given situation. Another suggestion here is to use a small notebook to record your thoughts and ideas, how youre feeling at any moment, and any new thought about a plan or a purpose.

2. FOCUS ON ONE - OR A FEW -- ACTIONS AT A TIME; PRIORITIZE. Success, as change, occurs as a series of small steps. You dont have to tackle everything at once, just as you dont have to eat a whole meal in a single gulp. Take it easy. Think, One thing at a time, then act on each thought, complete each action before going on to the next.

3. GIVE YOURSELF TIME. Science has shown that it takes many repetitions to establish a new pattern in humans...it takes about 21 days to establish a habit (or extinguish one). Be patient with yourself.

4. REVIEW ACTION IDEAS DAILY. Make a TO DO list every day (or every evening for the next day, or every Friday for Monday). Keep your action list out in the open, where you can see it, edit it, check off completed items, etc. And be aware of STRESS and how it affects you. Change on the outside usually produces some signals, symptoms or signs on the inside. Lets look now at THREE CATEGORIES in which youll receive signals -- stress warnings that you should pay attention to.

- Physical signals may include headaches, rashes, feelings of exhaustion, stomach upset, minor pains and aches, and so on.

- Mental signals negative thoughts, confusion, inability to concentrate, reduced productivity, sleeplessness, or forgetfulness.

- Emotional signals anxiety, fear, feelings of frustration, depression, withdrawal, feelings of helplessness or powerlessness.

Which of these signals might you be feeling these days? Pay attention to them. Perhaps it would help to write them down, get them outside of yourself so you can see them more clearly. To repeat: Whats going on physically? Whats going on mentally? Whats going on emotionally? Next, lets look at some of the things you can do to counteract the feelings that come up in changing times. There are four major categories of action from which you can get some relief from the stress responses to change.

1. DIET. Eat at least three meals a day and drink lots of water (remember that coffee, tea, and colas dont count as waterBalance your intake of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Maintain low-fat, low-sugar intake. Restrict alcohol use. If this information is new to you, or if you dont understand some of the basic principles of nutrition, seek out professional advice from your doctor, then perhaps enroll in a structured weight control program (Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, and so forth). This course of action is particularly advisable if you are chronically overweight, underweight or if your weight varies widely and/or quickly.

2. REST. Its more than just a good nights sleep. Arrange for some quiet time each day -- read, meditate, listen to music, or look at art. Refrain from eating late at night, and try doing relaxation exercises before bedtime.

3. EXERCISE. Walking is good...can you do it daily? Work out aerobically at least three time a week for at least 20 minutes at a time; participate in a game or sport, if you can, on a regular basis...by the way, bowling counts!

4. RECHARGING. Schedule regular time with family, friends. Dont talk about work or other problems, just enjoy their company. Establish, revise, review and record personal and professional goals. Meditation is productive here, as is yoga (for some), prayer (for others) or hand-oriented hobbies such as model building, whittling or playing a musical instrument. Also, take a few moments once or twice a week to assess what youve accomplished during the interval since your last assessment. You may be pleasantly surprised at just how much youve accomplished.

Paul McNeese

Paul McNeese, BS, CFP (Ret.), is a training professional with more than 25 years of experience in educating, motivating and inspiring individuals and groups. He has entered coaching by the ?back door,? having founded an online publishing company in 2001, where he discovered that many authors, both newcomers and experienced professionals, require coaching to bring out the very best writing they are capable of producing. But now that he?s in it, he?s in it! Paul is a member of the Phoenix, Arizona chapter of the International Coach Federation. He is also studying in Coachville?s certification program and is currently working as a coach to nine authors, a ghostwriter, and several promotional marketing writers. An honors graduate of Northeastern University in Boston, Paul holds a bachelor of science degree in marketing and has done graduate work in psychology, economics and public policy at UCLA. He held the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation between 1981 and 1994, when he retired (the first time around). He also holds a certificate in counseling from Cypress College in Los Angeles. Today, Paul McNeese combines his organizational expertise, marketing ?savvy,? communications fluency and interpersonal skills with an upbeat, entertaining public speaking style as he presents personal growth strategies in an interactive one-day workshop called ?Betterchange.? He developed the first ?Betterchange? workshop in 1994 as a vehicle for training the staff and management of not-for profit organizations, and he continues to refine it almost daily to better equip attendees to meet the future successfully. A second edition of his book, ?Salespower through Successful Seminars,? is scheduled for publication in early 2006 as an online publication in his OPA Publishing catalog, and he has begun work on another book, ?Betterchange: 12 Keys to Personal and Professional Growth,? which will see publication in mid-2006. He has also recently completed an audiotape/CD set based on his ?Betterchange? seminar/workshop.