imilarly, you can relate your life to an engine, and your habits and routines to the oil within it. When you change your habits and routines, you extend the life of your own ‘engine’ by producing new and exciting results. While any path will generally do in the journey of life, it is your habits and routines that empower you to reach your destination. As the year comes to a close, we often go through a period of review and reflection. We think about the past year and all we have achieved, as well as what we would like to do different in the year ahead, in order to make things better than before. During this time, one thing you can do is think about how long it’s been since you’ve changed your habits and routines. As the saying goes, “If you keep doing the same thing, you will keep getting the same results.” In computer terms, this is known as “garbage in, garbage out”. If you are getting the results you desire, obviously there is no need for great change in what you are doing. However, even if you are going down the right path, it makes sense to look in your rear view mirror every now and then, to make sure you don’t get run over!

Most of us begin the year with great intentions. Commonly, our New Year’s Resolutions may include: Losing weight, stopping smoking, doing more exercise, making more money, being more productive, improving communications; and so forth.

While these are all worthy ideals, when daily routine sets in and the euphoria of the holidays wears off, we often set goals and objectives aside to take care of more “important” things. In order to realize any significant change in your life, you need to first “change your oil” and make sure you have the proper lubrication to ensure your engine is running efficiently. One way to do it is to review what you do and how you do it, on a daily basis. A frequent complaint is: “I just don’t have enough time!” While time is a limited resource, there is often enough time to get the things done to which we give priority. Usually, it is not “enough time” that is lacking, but rather, proper focus.

Another thing we often need is a strong reason to change. Very frequently we take better care of our cars than we do of ourselves. Why do we do this? The answer is simple, our automobiles represent a significant investment and we want to make sure we take care of our investment.

How much is your body worth? Regardless of the value you place on your body, in order to keep it in optimum condition, you must “change the oil” from time to time.

How about if from this moment on, you chose empowering habits over destructive habits? What could you achieve if your actions and thoughts were congruent with your dreams and desires? The sky is the limit! There is no one and nothing limiting your health, your income or your well-being. The only limits are those you place upon yourself.

How when can you change your habits to drive your direction and determine your destiny? The first step is to realize that life is not as it should be; but rather, it is as it is. There is no magic wand that can take a lifetime of habits and change them overnight.

Each time you are about to realize a particular activity, you can ask yourself the following:“How is what I am about to do going to effect the oil in my engine?”, “Is the food I’m about to eat going to make my engine run better or worse?”, “Is the cigarette I am about to smoke going to make my engine live a longer or shorter life?”, “What is the most valuable use of my time in the precise instant?”.

It is the small things you do on a consistent basis which make a tremendous difference over time. People do not become overweight from eating one chocolate bar, nor do they get out of shape from taking the elevator one time. It is the habits and routines of your life which create your reality.

Our bodies are finely tuned machines which in many cases, keep working despite abuse and negligence. As this year comes to an end and a new year lurks on the horizon, you have the power within to take action today, change your oil and make sure your own “Engine of Life” runs smoothly and soundly into the days, months and years to come!