Life doesn’t have to beat you up. Circumstances need not keep you down. Positions have no power to keep you stuck. Hurts won’t last if allowed to heal. Behaviors and attitudes can change.

Change is a certainty of life, but learning from past mistakes can be your most valuable asset. No matter how responsible you are or how congenial you may be with people, you will inevitably slip up on moments that are uncomfortable and threatening.

It doesn’t have to intimidate or bankrupt your self-esteem or self-confidence. Yes these oftentimes are private struggles hidden from view, and now is the time to confront them. You will never conquer what you are not willing to confront.

I firmly believe it is possible to push and break self-imposing barriers and live with no regrets. Here are some ways to make the sustainable transformation:

1. If you were to split yourself open and see a panoramic view your inner workings and capabilities you’d be astounded. There is more life in your life. Don’t be afraid to want for more, ask for more and go after more.

The opportunities are embed in your disappointments, frustrations and losses. This will help smooth over the personal development and life improvement scars and instead turn them into successes.

2. Live life intentionally. That is to intentionally get involved with your life. A running back doesn’t run through human blockages, trips and flips over backwards to score a touchdown and says, “This is amazing! How did I do that?”

Of course he has to train in the rain, snow, wet, cold, doubt and perhaps without. He perseveres. Before his body learned those maneuvers, his mind orchestrated them first. That’s the foundation. The mind is his training field. I’m reminded of Paul’s metaphor about training for a race:

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NLT)

3. Tackle stagnated thinking. Thought design takes the prize every time. Forward, contemporary progressive thinking is a barrier breaker.

You simply cannot remain the same if your mind is pulling  you onward. What do you say to the fighter who’s in the fight but is not aiming at anything? Something is wrong with his sparring habits! Discipline intentionally.

It is difficult to put new wine into old wine skins just as it’s difficult or rather impossible for me to design a home in the midst of the existing clutter. It obviously must be removed for the design installation to be effective.

There must too be a method for handling the clutter of life: the clutter of pain, subordination, being stuck, insecurity, loneliness, subordination, regret or domination. A thought renovation must take place prior to the design. Lifedesign will help you to create the life of your choosing. It is not necessarily quick and it will not always be easy—it will always be possible.

This is the beginning of breaking self-imposing barriers and living a regret free life.

If this post speaks to you, then please share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter and any other social media sites or networks.

I know that there’s someone out there needing more, so please pass this along. It’s time to help someone else renovate their life and experience the 360 interior life! Thank You!

Live by Design,

© 2011 Dr. Deana Murphy All rights reserved.

To under take a path of personal leadership development is to lead yourself outside and beyond common life paradigms. Here are 6 very common paradigms worth examining:

1. Paradigm: Everything is OK

It may be that you have said to yourself or even to others – ” Everything is OK as it is”. Perhaps because you settled just a little bit, or perhaps even felt you may not have deserved more in the moment.

Perhaps you have been like so many people who just have not yet invested the time to fully articulate what you truly, truly desire ; then make a personal leadership development plan to get it.

Everything is OK – can show up in different ways.

It could be in those small tolerations you put up with every day – or even in the way you some times say ” That’s good enuf to pass”.

The truth is – this paradigm can be subtly different for everyone. It’s pervasive though. First blush may have you push this all aside as not true. Sit with it for a while though – then see what you allow yourself to notice.

The personal leadership perspective: Yes! I desire more

To want more, for yourself, for others and the world – and then be willing to invest the time, energy and resources to obtain it – these are personal traits of a personal leader pursuing value driven desired outcomes.

In addition to acknowledging perhaps quiet passion for more – this new perspective is also about telling the truth – that no, you don’t really want to settle for good enough, or just OK, and yes, you would like an extra-ordinary life; you want more for yourself and the world.

2. Paradigm: Tell me I am OK

Looking outside of yourself (to others ) for validation & love is another common pattern for those of us in North American culture.

We begin strive to be, as others wish us to be – and this starts early – even as we are toddlers – and it carries on into adulthood as we strive for approval, appreciation and acknowledgment from those we care about; our employers, our colleagues, our partners and our audiences.

The personal leadership perspective: I am love – already whole and complete

When you trust in your own pure essential nature and ability to self assess – things change. You make decisions based on your personal fulfillment and values. You trust more. You trust in your own sense of wholeness and able to continually expand your awareness.

3. Paradigm: I have got it

Is it a habitual practice for you to stop paying attention as soon as you think you have enough information to support the belief that you know something? It is for most people.

One way you can catch yourself in this paradigm if you ever find your self trying formulating your next statement while the person you are in conversation with, is still speaking theirs.

When we forget to do things like mindful listening or do enough of something to just get by – we often are caught in the paradigm of ” I have got it”.

It shows up in what we choose to learn, to study and where to focus also. Do we continue learning something – after we have reached a certain level of competency?

Ask yourself if you are pursuing mastery in any particular area of your life. This will tell you if you are perhaps caught in this perspective.

The personal leadership perspective: I am curious – what can I learn and understand

When we choose a focus – it replaces the common practice of generalizing. As a personal leader when you consciously choose to pay attention longer and raise standards – it also raises your level of personal fulfillment and contribution in the world. This could show up in a conversation, a practice, a skill, or a contribution. The pursuit of mastery is a true sign a of personal leadership development.

4. Paradigm: I am in control

There is no doubt the pace of things are speeding up. Information is moving faster and faster. More is required of each of us – every day. Have you noticed the faster things move – the more you tend to hold on just a little bit tighter?

Perhaps you plan a little more, try to have things go your way – a little bit more? Underneath this desire for control is a desire for more certainty and trust in the future.

More certainty in the face of a little bit more chaos in the world. This desire for more control – is you – caught in a paradigm.

The personal leadership perspective: I wait for clarity – and I thrive in the wonder of certainty

The skills relating to that of allowing, expanding perspectives and expanding your personal capacity to “be with more” with out the experience of overwhelm. It is in this place of flow which personal leaders can reap wonderful benefits.

5. Paradigm: I am. (separate)

There are many, many life experiences and challenges that demonstrate a perspective of separateness and all of them are very common in our North American Culture.

Things can be things like feeling isolated, confused, excluding alternative perspectives, over reacting to things, being judgmental, ignoring your intuition or the most common dynamic of them all – avoiding the present moment.

This particular paradigm pattern is one of those – that we often can not see until it is pointed out to us. You might be even a bit challenged to think that any of these things might be true for yourself.

The personal Leadership Perspective: We are ( I am in connection)

In a personal leadership development program – at the source of it all – is this holistic perspective of connection, of expanded awareness which includes the belief , “we are all one”.

When we create and contribute from an universal perspective – we create better products, services and experiences.

On a personal level, when we are able to bring more awareness in to our day to day lives. We create more ease for ourselves and those around us.

6. Paradigm: Culture tells me what I should next want and this will give my life direction

If you have every experienced someone placing their expectations of what your life SHOULD look like at your feet – you will understand how this paradigm is so pervasive.

Think of any parent who want’s their child to go into a certain profession, any jobs or careers you have known people to just “land in” , any volunteer work – that happened on a whim. You could also think in terms of ” this seasons fashion colors” or the lasted trend for hair, skirt length or shoes. At the root of it all? Is someone else – leading.

The personal leadership perspective: I will lead myself

What is different about this perspective – is that you are aware of what is out there – and then you are doing consistent check-ins with your own congruence as to whether something is relevant and suitable for you. It’s having the skills of intuition, presence, thinking, feeling and heart – used in a way that adds to your own personal fulfillment , values, abundance and your capacity to be of service in this world.

About the Author: Anne Preston has been a professionally trained coach since 2001. She has studied Neurolinquistic program (Master Practitioner), Emotional Intelligence (MHS) and coaching (CTI, Graduate School of Coaching) since becoming a coach in 2001. Anne holds a worldwide perspective for servant leadership. http://mindbodyspiritcoaching.com

While there are sure to be outside pressures and problems to overcome in reaching our goals, sometimes we overlook the ways in which we sabotage ourselves.

Each of us has our own favorite ways of blocking ourselves. In case you can’t think of them on your own, just read the following list and determine the ones that ring a familiar bell. By acknowledging the ways you have caused yourself to fail in the past, you can avoid repeating the same patterns.

After determining the particular methods you use to block yourself, think of ways to combat those tendencies and write them down. This kind of clarity can help you anticipate self-destructive habits and avoid giving in to them.

1. Conflicting desires

2. Lack of clear priorities

3. Focus on short term satisfactions

4. Fear of unknown consequences

5. Fear of failing

6. Impatience

7. Trying to reach ultimate goals too fast

8. Lack of awareness of choices

9. Unwillingness to accept help

10. Blaming others

11. Rationalization when the going gets tough

12. Too general with plans

13. Procrastination

14. Lack of a consistent plan/strategy

15. Poor support system

16. Self punishment

17. Low self-image

18. Depression

19. Feelings of hopelessness

20. Poor physical condition

21. Setting unrealistic goals

22. Too rigid

23. Unyielding

24. Overconfidence

25. Listening to the naysayer

26. Wrong relationships

27, Negative thinking

28. Disorganized

29. Engaging mind manipulators

30. Bitterness

31. Judging others

32. Copying others

33. Wasting time

34. Focusing on your past

35. Refusing to invest in yourself

36. Lacking a mentor

37. Not realizing your strengths

38. Uncertain of your innate gifts and talents

39. Insecurity

40. Comparing yourself to others

41. Not realizing your significance

42. Living in an adversarial environment

43. Negative self-talk

44. Ignoring past victories

45. Lack of a prayer lifestyle

46. Poor imagination skills

47. Hateful and mean

48. No inspiration

49. Poor zeal for life

50. Unenthusiastic

51. Lack of passion

52. Dysfunctional living and working environments

53. No expectation

54. Lack of faith

55. Excuses – all excuses are equal

The above list is relative to your mindset. Master your mind, master your life. Life presents us with many obstacles and opportunities. Sustaining focus and balance in the face of all the demands on your time and energy is an awesome challenge. Every area of life is connected (360 LifeDesign). Potential is not your problem; you have more than enough potential to do what you want.

For a complimentary 30 minute life design-mindset mastery consultation with me to learn how to live your life by design instead of default, contact me here.

You comments are welcomed.

Live by design,

©2011 Dr. Deana All Rights Reserved

The top reasons why people don’t live life like it matters and walk into their purpose:

• Lack of focus – focus is a destiny-critical component to successful living
• Fear – overcoming fear is an absolute necessity to designing a rewarding life
• An inability to let go – letting go of all the things that no longer serve you well is vital to achieving your biggest, boldest desires

And both the problem and the answer begins with your MIND!

√ Isn’t it time you get to live the life you want to live?
√ Isn’t it time you break-free of intrusive thoughts sabotaging your mind?
√ Isn’t it time all areas of your life and home are harmonious?
√ Isn’t it time you rid yourself of self-limiting behaviors?
√ Isn’t it time you have clarity of what to do with your life?
√ Isn’t it time you have healthy, sound relationships with family and other people?
√ Isn’t it time you rid the chaos and have peace in your home?
√ Isn’t it time you let go of the past and love yourself?
√ Isn’t it time you build confidence and raise your self-esteem?
√ Isn’t it time you are motivated to live with purpose?
√ Isn’t it time for a personal achievement experience?
√ Isn’t it time for your whole life transformation?

So you want to be successful but your mind doesn’t know about it!

One of the areas that have held me captive is my mindset. After a drilling three days in Orlando last week at the   ‘ Be The Change Event,’ I realized that I had to ‘literally’ be the change if I wanted to succeed at the level of my desires. I want to help you do the same. It bins with a decision.

Are you ready for a change? Do you need to distance yourself from the clamor and clutter that builds-up inside of you? Are you being pulled and pushed and are uncertain of which way to go? Are you harboring hurt and burdens by the words or actions of others as well as your own? Isn’t it time to let go of the past and give birth to a healthier mindset and a happier you? Isn’t it time to become the architect of change in your life? Are you ready  to make your life easier?

You are only one decision away from changing everything.

You are only one decision away from living a successful life.

I made the change and so can you.

I want to help you take the last three quarters of 2011 over the top by simply helping you to shift your mindset. Join me on May 2, 2011 for a live Teleseminar at 8PM EST for an hour of power. If you are looking for a magic quick-fix formula, you won’t find it here. It takes a decision and real commitment to make a lasting transformation. I will teach you spiritual secrets and solutions to upgrade and change your mindset.

Go here and register now and I will see you on the call!

A well-designed life is truly one that is full of purpose. Purposeful living doesn’t happen by accident. You must make an on-purpose effort to transform your mind.  This Teleseminar will not only help you succeed in your business, but it will also bring you wholeness that will help you succeed in every area of your life.
RESERVE YOUR SEAT NOW!!

Don’t settle for a piece of the pie, get the whole 360 Design Connection and connect the dots that builds the foundation for every area of your life!

Go here and register now and I will see you on the call!

Live by Design,

LIKED THIS ARTICLE? Get my Successful Living Report and 3 **FREE** gift downloads:
1. Top Ten Ways to Design Your Best Life!
2. 30 Day Challenge to a Winning Attitude!
3. 30 Day Challenge to a Greater You!

You can do one of two things. Create the life you love by design or live it by default. Many people may say that is a cute cliche, however it is a real truth. Today there are many coaches claiming the phrase, “Design Your Best Life” or “Life Designer or Life Design. ” It’s a catchy phrase and sounds “trendy” and is different from just saying, “Change your Life” or even perhaps “Plan your Life.” But wait a minute. Design is much more than that. Design is multi-faceted and comprises of principles,  elements and creative nuances that brings order and function to a setting. In this instance, the setting is a human life.

Now really, am I being touchy here? Yes, I am. I can honestly say I have a good reason to be. After studying architectural interior design and practiced my craft for well-over a decade, I believe I do know something about what design is about. My advantage is knowing that these exact abstract concepts—scale, proportion, balance, rhythm, emphasis, harmony, variety, and unity— are as equally necessary to transform a space as they are in transforming your life.  Included also are several elements that must be paired with these concepts to successfully make the completed design cohesive and whole—better translated: Best Life Design.  Every design begins with one word: PLANNING.

Every successful design beings on paper. Begin journaling. Because a well-designed life is a planned life, you have to tend to the details of your life. And the best and surest way to know what they are is by journaling every day. See your journal as your creative canvas. Jot down every ingenious idea and inspiring moments. Don’t reduce this to using technology, get out the old pen and pad and engage in a healthy time of writing down jolts of information. Begin doing these 8 things now for the journey to designing your life:

1. Always be prepared.
√ Carry pen and paper with you at all times.
√ Jot down anything that positively affects you.
√ Take the time twice per week to compose these thoughts into journal entries.

2. Keep your expectations out here!
√ Always anticipate hearing God speak to you. In order to write down what you hear, you must be in the habit of listening.
√ God will answer your questions and give you witty ideas and inventions.
√ Expect to hear them and stay prepared with pen and pad.

3. Journalize with style.
√ Find a journal that suits your personality and situation. I like cute, compact luxurious journals. Someone gave me a leather bound Woman of Faith Journal with a ribbon marker. I also use other journals for different things.
√ Locate your style.

4. Observe Life. You will get enlightening thoughts and have many experiences worth journaling.
√ Don’t allow your memories to slip away.
√ Include sensory details like sight, sound, touch and taste.
√ It is also a good idea to paste memorabilia in your journal-things like ticket stubs, invitations, etc. from special events.

5. Find a special place to write.
√ Find a spot to designate as your writing spot. It can be your bedroom, sitting room, sun room, deck or wherever you are most comfortable and creative.
√ Go to this same spot each time you journal. This habit will make you calmer and more prepared to record your thoughts.

6. Honesty and transparency. Your journal is for you.
√ Effective journaling requires you to be honest and truthful. Let it flow.
√ Don’t hold back when writing your thoughts, activities or insights. It is your personal life stream.
√ Nothing is too silly or unimportant to write down.
√ Keep your journal in a safe place where no one can find it and read it.

7. Write your way to a positive day.
√ Start your journal with a positive heading at the top of each page. Even if something dreadful has happened focus on what’s positive. This way you will look for more positive events to happen in your life.

√ Document every compliment people give you. This will give you that needed pick-me-up when you are feeling down.
√ Every night, write in your journal what you want the next day to be like. Write specific things you want the Lord to do for you.

8. Take time to reflect on your journal entries.
√ Pull out your journal once a month and review your entries.
√ Watch for reoccurring themes, challenges or situations.
√Reflect how you’ve grown over the course of the month.
√ Make note of the ways God blessed you and brought you through situations.
√ Be thankful.

Make journaling a creative necessity in your life. Overtime you will begin to see its rewards and the patterns that need attention, correction, adjusting or eliminating. Designing your life far from a cute cliche or passing fad, it is as traditional as that old chair that you are probably sitting on.

Live by design,

LIKED THIS ARTICLE? Get my Successful Living Report and 3 **FREE** gift downloads:
1. Top Ten Ways to Design Your Best Life!
2. 30 Day Challenge to a Winning Attitude!
3. 30 Day Challenge to a Greater You!

There was a time I would wonder around in circles day by day, like so many other people, feeling like nothing was accomplished. I had to get a grip on my life and organize my world. Simplicity is always best because this makes things controllable and doable.

Many of you who are familiar with my writings know that I talk a lot about order. I read that order is an accurate arrangement of things. Because I have discovered a tremendous amount of satisfaction and pleasure that are related to an organized lifestyle, goals are completed and dreams don’t seem far-fetched. I stopped paying attention to what others had to say about order and customized my own concept.

Simplifying my lifestyle meant I had to decide the difference between what was important and what was not important. It was easier to control the parts of my life that were possible, for example, how I want my day to begin and how I want it to end. Every event of my day may not be under my control, but I certainly can decide what to do first and what I do last. It is my world, so I do whatever it takes to keep me motivated and energized. I know I must identify distractions and deal with them.

So can you. Let these seven master keys for organizing and simplifying your life become ingrained in you so that you can see the progress that leads to a happy life.

1. Disorganization creates losses. A disorganized life can be deadly. It can be the difference in getting the contract and not getting the contract. Organizing your life will require time, assistance, decision-making, contemplation, elimination and prioritizing. This ensures the tasks with the greatest rewards will get done.

2. What matters most? Do you know what matters most to you right now? Do you know your most pressing goal right now? The equation for your productivity is different than the equation for simplicity. That is why a successful wealthy person can make money, but he cannot have a happy home. They require two different equations. Determine what matters most to you right now and make that the priority of your life and your day.

3. Communication system. There should be an established communication center in your home and office where all users can find information. Perhaps a bulletin board in the kitchen,  family room or recreation room.

4. Information system. Get a notebook or use Notepad on your computer to list things to do. The other list should be things to remember. One list is your actions steps, the other is your knowledge base.

5. Delegate, train and participate. Delegate tasks to all users and train them to participate in the system and accomplish the task.

6. Grand central. By this I mean there should be a centralized place for everything so that each user knows where to find a thing. Have a central place for paper, pens, light bulbs, batteries, etc.

7. Design within and listen attentively. I read that God hides His gift in moments. So true. He can interrupt and change your priorities at His will. He will speak to you with something to do that is different from what you had planned. He can speak to your heart and give you a new book, a new song or speech at moment’s notice. Keep your voice recorder handy.

We undoubtedly live in a microwave society. That doesn’t mean that we have to. Take time to organize your life. This will create a more simplified and peaceful life for you. You owe this to your family and friends, and more importantly to yourself.

I would love to hear your success stories of how you have simplified your life. I invite you to leave your comments below.

I appreciate the time you took to read my blog post today.

Live by design,

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1. Top Ten Ways to Design Your Best Life!
2. 30 Day Challenge to a Winning Attitude!
3. 30 Day Challenge to a Greater You!

For many years I had a cat that I named Early. Each morning she would be at my bedroom door waiting for me as she escorted me into the kitchen to be fed. This is not something I’d trained her to do. Early just figured that’s what you do when you get up in the morning.

Much the same is with your thinking. You get into the habit of thinking a certain way and then you’ll rarely question it after a while. Like Early, you become accustomed to doing things automatically as well.

Everything in your life follows your thoughts. The key is to become aware of what you think.  Like the old adage, garbage in, garbage out.  If you think negatively about everything in your world then how can you possibly change your life for the better? It’s your thought patterns which have the greatest impact on your life.

Look at these ways to change your world simply by changing your thoughts:

You see and are attracted to what you believe. Your brain will ensure that you’re right about what you believe. Whatever you believe, you will attract. If you want to change what you see, change what you are believing about it whether it be your career, your marriage, your appearance, your abilities or your appearance.

Harness the power of your imagination. Imagination is the ability to create a mental image of something that is not visible in the present moment. Meditation or imagination is actually comprised of 3 key components: visualization, vocalization and memorization. You will move in the direction of your most dominant thoughts. Begin now imagining how you want the end of this year to look. Create an image of how your marriage, your finances, your house even you might look like 12 months from now. The more specific you are, the more strategic you can be, the more power you give the images to create what doesn’t yet exist.

Begin with the end in mind. How would you like your life to look one year from now? Be specific. Everything that exists today started as an idea in the mind of someone who pictured it, then pursued it. If you can keep the same mental image of success before you and never let up, you will speed up the imagination process.

Claude Bristol said, “Every business, every fortune is the outgrowth of an idea, the workings of someones imagination followed by an action.”

Change how you think, and you’ll change your world! If you change the images in your mind, you will change your world! Your inner dialogue was a learned skill.  You therefore can learn a new skill simply by monitoring what enters your passageways to your spirit, i.e., eyes, ears and mouth.You start by paying attention to what you look at (see), hear and say. Read about the life you desire and begin to speak what you want your life to become.

Your thoughts are a NEGATIVE or POSITIVE force. You choose.

~Live by design,

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1. Top Ten Ways to Design Your Best Life!
2. 30 Day Challenge to a Winning Attitude!
3. 30 Day Challenge to a Greater You!

Every thought precedes a word. I don’t like it when people say “I could never do that,” or “I’m not able,” or “I can’t afford that,” or “I’m not smart or good enough,” and worse “nothing ever works for me.” This is not how God created us to think.

Have you ever noticed that when you set new goals and new dreams, the first person to talk you out of it is the chatter in your mind? Let’s say your mind consists of two people: The Slick Driver, the person who is a non-stop talking machine that never shuts up and has an opinion on everything.

And there is the Smart Driver, the real you—your spirit-man—the person who is listening to your deliberate thought deposits. Which driver do you listen to? Which driver do you believe? The Smart Driver is there to keep you safe—taking you on the victorious freeway to design your best life while the Slick Driver is trying to invade your thoughts and steer you towards pot holes, road blocks, detours and traffic jams.

These opposing drivers create conflicts in your mind. Your job is to bring resolution to this talking in your head. In order to have happiness and success, you must learn to make deliberate deposits in your heart so you can speak life-giving words from your mouth.

The ABC’s

Believe me when I say I want you to understand how your thinking determines who you are. Here’s a simple strategy to help you steer your thoughts to the right destination. It will guide you in making deliberate thought deposits, taking you from where you are to where you want to be. And it is easy as A, B, C.

A is for Awareness of your thoughts
B is for Believing the real you
C is for Commit to action

Let’s examine this strategy a little closer:

A – Awareness of your thoughts. Your mind depends on you for its direction. Becoming aware of your thoughts requires stepping back and consciously paying attention to what you think on. Let’s say you’ve overhead gossip that someone is biased towards you. It hurts. Your mind grabs this information and immediately goes to work. Be still. Observe your emotions. Reflect back on what God says and thinks about you. (See Jeremiah 29:11). Say out loud if you have to, “I’m not moved by what I hear, and I refuse that thought deposit.” You have within you the creative ability to cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Cor. 10:5

B – Believe the real you. The real you (your heart) will say go, do it, you can do this, and you have what it takes. Then the Slick Driver will think of a million reasons why you can’t. Your heart will say, “take action, say yes, go for it,” while the Slick Driver will say, “you know you’re not good enough, you’re not smart enough, you’ve done it in the past and it didn’t work out, accept the fact that you’re a failure.” Immediately stop. Believe and recall those deliberate thought deposits. And since you have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” you also must believe and therefore (think deliberately) and speak confidently. (2 Cor.4:13)

C – Commit to Action. Make the quality decision you will no longer tolerate negative thoughts especially when going through a trial. Contrary to most beliefs, you can control what you think. But you must commit to safeguard your focus (Proverbs 4:23). Think victory on purpose instead of failure. When faced with a challenge, think “I can! I win! instead of “I can’t or I’ll fail.” Commit to focusing your thoughts on what God says. Be of the same mind in the Lord (Phil. 4:2) and set your mind on things above, not on things (carnal thoughts) on the earth. Col. 3:2.

Make your thoughts intentional and see the best design of your life unfold right before your eyes.

Thank you for reading my post today and I always enjoy reading your comments.

Live by design,

LIKED THIS ARTICLE? Get my 3 **FREE** gift downloads:
1. Top Ten Ways to Design Your Best Life!
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3. 30 Day Challenge to a Greater You!

My friend, Dianna Hobbs is  mother of four, traveler, speaker, inspirational blogger, and wears many other hats. Entering into the next chapter and phase of her life, Dianna has done what God told her to do. She is recording an album and has released its first single so appropriately titled, Do What He Said, INDIE BUZZ Music.

Last Monday on my Designing for the King’s Internet Radio Show, Dianna, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Empowering Everyday Women Magazine (EEW) was my special guest. The one hour show was powerfully anointed and highly energized so I thought how cool it would be to share it with you here.

The key take-away of this episode was this: whenever we do what God tells us to do, we are indeed designing our best life because His plan for us is blessing us with a future filled with hope — a future of success, not of suffering.  His plan is that our lives be shared, giving of ourselves and our gifting to empower and enhance others. When we do what He tells us to do, in actuality we are giving life away.

Enjoy this archived episode with newly recording artist, multi-talented publisher, journalist, teacher, savvy entrepreneur and inspirational blogger, Dianna Hobbs and me recorded live on the Designing for the King Show.  Oh, by the way, immerse yourself in Dianna’s Daily Cup of Inspiration and download a *FREE* track of her second release, Purpose.

Thank you for your time to read my posts and for listening to my archived broadcast.  I enjoy sharing with you and look forward to reading your comments.

Sharing my passion,

Deana

Most often at the onset of the spring and summer months with winter being behind, people generally are geared-up to get in the creative mode. The beginning of a new season in some way incites creativity and motivation for change. Included with the desire to change may arise enhancing our lives; more outside activities and the best vacation spots. Much the same comes about for the home. Refreshing and renewing worn places ranks high on our to-do list.  For many of us, we seek to get our home in order and finally decorate those neglected and tough to tackle areas.

Ready for a Change!

When I think about changing my home environment it reminds me of how Jesus changed the darkened, hidden places of my being into a ray of light and hope. With a renewed mindset and beaming anticipation I knew He had a purpose for my life. I was ready for a change. Venturing into a home make-over, whether one room or the entire home, can produce this same optimism. But before you jet out to the store to make your purchases, prepare your mind for the change. Consider what you want your home to accomplish for you. More importantly, how can your home design unify your family? Do you want it to remind you of the warmth and security of your home as a child? Or would you like it to help cancel the pain of the past? What about a design that will accommodate every family member’s desires and needs?

Too often we acclimatize lifestyles and living at home to the layout and features of the home. Imagine how our lives would be if God didn’t first re-arrange the universe. He designed His world in His majestic display of power with purpose. The same holds true for every design or decorating endeavor we undertake. Design changes should spring forth out of a renewed mindset. I’m not only talking about designing to appeal to forms and aesthetics. And I’m certainly not referring to making changes because your best friend or neighbor’s home is outdoing yours. That’s not the right mindset, that’s meddling. Creating the right home design mindset means to have a plan.

Design a Plan

Looking back over Scripture it is apparent that God did nothing without a plan. From the design of the world in Genesis to the soon and coming King in Revelation, His plan has always been wooing His people to Himself. It didn’t matter how impossible the darken world looked, God had a plan for the design of His world. He knew exactly what He wanted His design to do for Him and His family. This says to me that we must do no less when designing our home. Let’s consider the gathering or family room for example. This room generally serves as a multi-purpose area where we relax and entertain, play and work, or watch TV, read and do homework. But we certainly can’t engage all these activities simultaneously. And someone has to plan the room’s layout and décor for incorporating these activities. Then the schedule must be planned.

Meeting of the Minds

Actually the way you live at home determines how you should plan your design. If relationships are centered in your heart, then making a place that unifies the family and connects family with friends is one way to define the purpose of the home. Perhaps working from home defines a major purpose for redesigning the home. Evaluate the use of each space. I often advise my clients to have a design meeting with their families. In this meeting discuss what is important to each household member, write it down, and be willing to compromise and be flexible when possible. While function is a major consideration in the design process; what’s paramount is the emotional and spiritual well-being of the entire household. Here are a few suggestions to discuss in the design meeting:

Objection

• What is the main purpose for making design changes? More space? Ab better lay-out? New purchase? Reworking some existing things? Insulation to stifle the sound of drum practice or electric games?

• Do you want your home to reflect your spiritual life? If so, what would you need to do to be ready to reflect this? Would it be more patience with each other? Like-mindedness with your spouse? Unselfishness?

• Does your lifestyle define how you live at home? What functions must be performed for each room?

Editing

• Walking through the home and carefully looking at each room, what do you see that needs to be done?
• What do you see that needs to be removed? What isn’t needed that can be donated or just simply thrown away?
• Are there any hard places in your heart needing editing? What about spurts of anger over something simple as tidying up behind someone or taking out the trash?

Ambiance

• What kind of atmosphere do you want? Do you want it to be peaceful? energetic? restful? loving?
• What kind of atmosphere can you create that will sustain His Presence?
• Atmosphere is very important to the Lord. Remember that He transformed space  to separate the waters so He could design an atmosphere called heaven.
• How is the atmosphere of your heart? Does it need renovating? Only a touch-up?Do you have the right spirit in your heart? What about your attitude?

• What style, objects and activities will be pleasing to the Holy Spirit? Everything that looks good may not necessarily be sanctioned by God.

Bringing Order

• How can you arrange your activities to undermine any negative habits and keep the home in order.

• Assess your needs for bringing clarity to what to do with what you have.
• Which spaces can you use in nontraditional ways if functional issues arise?
• In what ways can you adjust and show more love and respect for each other?

Sentiments

• How can you incorporate past places of influence into the design?
• How can you incorporate those pleasant childhood memories into the design?
• How can you incorporate priceless family traditions into the design?

Cultural

• Are there any cultural influences and can it be included?
• Talk about your differences and how to effectively translate them into the design.

Preferences

• What are your likes and dislikes?
• What are your individual interests?

Bonding

• When and where is family time together? It maybe as simple as sitting around the table sharing your day.
• Remember children are people too. Don’t make the design so important that they aren’t allowed to enjoy it.

Differences

• Discuss personalities, values, and memories. This carries a high price in keeping peace at home.

Improvements

• What changes will benefit everyone and fortify the family?
• What are some practical ways to improve on what you have?
• How can you better designate the existing spaces to meet your family’s needs?

These lists are not all inclusive, but know how vital it is to do this. So much time is used when planning activities to entertain friends, but planning the details with the right mindset for living at home is oftentimes overlooked. When you think about it, you spend more time in your home than any other place, which makes home design the most influential art form. In view of that, home is an important part of health, spiritual and well-being of your family.

Making changes in our lives and homes is essential and always necessary. I challenge you to begin this spring/summer season with the approach of looking at home design from a different perspective. Yes you are eager to finally decorate those neglected and tough to tackle areas. You’re longing for a fresh start. But be mindful of your family’s needs, surrender any selfish ways of doing things. Renovating allows for a fresh start. Renovate your heart of those hidden attitudes so that His plan and creativity can rise up within you. Your home is a good gift. Design it with the right home design mindset.

I always enjoy reading your comments and thanks for reading my posts.

Sharing my Passion,

Deana

©2010 Deana Murphy. All rights Reserved. You may reprint this article
in its entirety with author's contact and bio information.
Deana Murphy is a dynamic speaker, award winning author and

a conscious home and lifestyle expert who has been helping

people for years design a home they love, transform their lifestyle,

and approach life’s design in view of Spirit and family relations.

She has been interviewed for O at Home Magazine, Empowering Everyday Women,

Spectacular Homes, SORMAG, and Meredith publications to name a few.

She has also appeared on HGTV and Fine Living.