If so, have you taken the time to learn how to do it?

Unfortunately, most people in our culture go through their lives not knowing how to cope with their past experiences. They often have a lack of self-awareness, meaning, and purpose. As a result, the future looks bleak and they try to derive pleasure from continual entertainment, substance abuse, overeating, or risky behaviors. Or by creating an inflated sense of self and looking down on those around them. In short, they live in a world of mixed feelings: one foot in and one foot out when it comes to saying “yes” to life and deciding to work toward maximum fulfillment.

Where to Start

Begin by choosing to fully say "Yes" to life. Make the decision that you are "all in." Start to pursue your best life in a mindful, informed, and organized way. You do this by adopting an organized mindset. This mindset is built on common sense, knowledge from experts, and proven studies from refereed journals. The Growth and Transformation Model graphically organizes all of this information so it is easy to visualize, understand, and remember.

This organized mindset is ideal because it aligns with your brain chemistry. Try looking at life as a “being.” You can think of it as a divine creation or something that has evolved from the Big Bang. What does this life “being” want from you? How are you wired to support it? You can certainly skate through life ignoring its wants and desires. You can terminate your existence or sabotage your health. But that’s not what life wants, and it is not how your brain is designed. So why not partner with it instead of wasting energy fighting it?

Simply put, creating a fulfilling and resilient life will be easiest if you align your behavior with your brain chemistry. If you think about it, it just makes sense. Please read on and see if it makes sense to you.

But before continuing, you may be wondering, "How do these thoughts fit in with my spiritual or religious beliefs?" Pastor Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life answers: "These are not religious issues. They're human issues." He is right. A decisive path to a fulfilling life is available regardless of your spiritual beliefs.

What to Expect?

By improving your life in the various ways described in the Growth and Transformation Model, you can expect to have more vitality and an increased sense of purpose. Pairing vitality and purpose can significantly reduce your perception of life's challenges. Please take a minute to visit the page titled, Purpose, Vitality, and Challenges. On that page is a another graphic that can help substantiate your mental organization in a top-down manner. That is, think to yourself that, at the highest level, all you have to do is improve your purpose and vitality. Doing so will decrease your perception of life's challenges and increase your sense of well-being.

Now What?

As you can see, there is a bit of ground to cover but you can do it incrementally and methodically. With each increment, you will feel a little better about your life and the increments will add up. The goal is organized thinking, good mental health, high life satisfaction, a sense of meaning and purpose, the ability to manage stress, and feeling happy, healthy, and socially connected. In short, a fulfilling and resilient life!