Creative plans for a great life

　　It is not coincidental that life is great for some people because they have planned the life they want exactly

　　Life after 40 is a great time to re-evaluate how far you have come in this journey of life and whether you like the destination you have arrived at thus far. If you don’t like where you are at right now， it is a good idea to do some deep soul searching and make some creative plans to advance into the future confidently to have a great life.

　　Your definition of a great life is uniquely yours as it stems from your beliefs and values but essentially it should be one that gives you great fulfilment and satisfaction withthe joy of living life. What saddens me is I have observed many people growing old at different stages and because they have never planned for the various stages of life， theyenter into frustration ordepression. There was a client who had her life so entwined with herkids that when they left to study abroad， she experienced such a sense of loss that she went into depression.

　　To have a great life， have creative plans in the following areas：

　　1 Physical Health

　　You can’t go on eating the same way you have been eating when you were younger as your metabolic rate slows down greatly after 40 unless you have been constantly building muscle and exercising regularly. It is no wonder many people put on weight at this stage when they maintain the same habits. Your body has to carry you through life well so pay attention to choices of food，have adequate sleep and regular exercise. Get into a plan of supportive action to ensure weight management. Try a new sport or even dancing as the more fun you have with exercise， the more you will engage in it.

　　2 Social Health

　　No one individual， be it your spouse orbest friend can fully fill your emotional tank. If you have at least 5 close friends whom you can confide in， you are happier. Value those relationships that would support you to grow as a person. The deeper the level of relationships， the happier you will beas we are meant to relate on a deeper level.

　　Make it a habit to reach out to someone as care and love are like boomerangs. Join a new club to trynew activities. Volunteer and offer your services to others as giving brings more joy to the giver than the receiver.

　　3 Psychological Health

　　You can develop unhealthy habits of thinking andbehaviour， fears and in securities from your past and current situation. Maybe you feel stuck or bored and youbegin to feel that there’s more to life – excitement， newconnections， adventures and endless possibilities. If you can’t resolve this “stuck phase” with your current circle， then it is time to challenge your beliefs about what you can and can’t do. It will be easier if you seek out a mentor or coach to navigate you successfully. Negative emotions of hate，and anger will sap the life out of you so learn to forgive andlet go. These negative emotions damage your well being more than that of other’s – it is like drinking poison yourself and expecting the other person to die.

　　4 Financial Health

　　If your current financial situation isn’t enabling you to live the life you want， be willing to learn a new skill or explore new ways of creating multiple streams of income.

　　Have a vision. Start something you always assumed itwas too late to do， like being an entrepreneur whilst stillin employment. Net working can help a great deal. Youmay identify the next great opportunity that you can leverage provided you are open enough to embrace a newchallenge that will help you to grow.

　　If you fail to plan for a great life， you plan to fail not having one. It is not coincidental that life is great for some people because they have planned the life they want exactly. Try the above ideas as they have worked for countless of people to have a great life.