Living your best life most likely requires you doing something extraordinary. Few of us maximize what’s possible by just doing what we’re already doing. The big breakthroughs; the big improvements come from making big decisions.

What is the big decision your life has been asking you to make? The clue to answer this question is to inquire of your deepest self “What have I settled for?”  Put another way, the question I most often asked my clients is “If nothing changes, what will your life be like a year from now, or two years from now, or five years from now?  Is that okay?” If it is, nothing will change. If it isn’t okay then you’re in need of a big decision.

Big decisions are often risky. But safe decisions or no decisions at all will dull your mind and numb your heart. So how do you make big decisions without being reckless?

It’s simple. Every decision you make should be leading you toward the vision of the life you want to live. This isn’t as common as it sounds. Many times we make decisions to avoid stress. Being clear on what you don’t want is much easier than being clear on what you do want. But stress avoidance isn’t a vision. And your personal vision is absolutely essential to your ultimate fulfillment and deep life satisfaction.

So what big decision would lead you to greater happiness, health, love, work and joy?  Do that.

Don’t be impulsive. Don’t be selfish. Be both brave and wise. Plan carefully. Prepare yourself and others who might be affected by your big decision for the worst that can happen . . . then act. Learn what’s working and what’s not.  Be flexible, but have the grit to sustain your direction. Unless you’re planning to skydive without lessons you can survive any setback . . . and you will have setbacks. All big decisions unleash some surprising consequences but nothing you can’t handle if you’re committed to your vision.

The best advice I ever received is to just start living the way you want to live.

That’s it . . . just start.

That’s what I am doing.