Accepting change into one’s life is never easy, especially if it is something that is forced upon you or makes you uncomfortable, even if the end result is something we covet dearly. But before you dismiss embracing change no matter how large or small the tweak, consider John C. Maxwell’s thoughts on such topic. “Everything you now do is something you have chosen to do. Some people don’t want to believe that. But if you’re over age twenty-one, your life is what you’re making of it. To change your life, you need to change your priorities.”

So what are your priorities? What are those dreams you long to be your reality? A healthier life? A more successful, fulfilling career? A loving family?  It is time to start acting, if you aren’t already, and stop ruminating about what may be.  It’s time to start moving, and as I’ve stated before, the small, gradual changes are the changes that have a greater likelihood of sticking.

Today is the third and final part of our “Why Not . . . Make A Small Tweak?” series.  If you would like to look over either part one or two, simply click here.  A variety of changes have been suggested and the trend continues today with the final five tips. Let’s get started.

Take 10

It has been stated many times, but at some point during each day, take ten minutes to just be by yourself, without responsibility, without interruption, without distractions.  The beauty in just these ten minutes is that your brain is allowed to catch up and believe it or not, this rest allows the right side of your brain (the creative side) to do what it does best – imagine, create, see outside of the box. Whether you have to shut the office door, your bedroom door, the bathroom door, wherever, allow yourself at least ten minutes (if not more) each day.

Cook One More

Your budget and your waistline will appreciate the benefits of cooking one more meal at home than you already are right now. With regards to your waistline (and I know you cooks out there already know this) cooking allows you to determine what ingredients are put into your body. The control has been shifted to the rightful person – the diner/the food connoisseur/the hungry stomach that will be devouring said food. And your budget will also thank you especially if you are using ingredients that are in season.  You will always pay less at the grocery store for food that is traditionally available at that particular time of year.  For example – fresh berries, cantaloupe, watermelon and corn right now would be great choices.

Give It 24

A hard lesson to learn, but something that will bring more calm and less drama is to allow yourself at least twenty-four hours before addressing a problem that was just introduced to you.  Whether it was a misunderstanding at work, an argument at home, or a stressful phone call that has you anxiously wanting to respond via email, give yourself an opportunity to breath, sleep on it and confront it with a clear head that is not being driven by emotions.  Believe it or not, most situations will seem quite minor with the distance of a day, and you will have skipped any unnecessary negative repercussions for actions you might have regretted.

Add Lemon

“When life gives you a lemon… squeeze it, mix it with six ounces of distilled water and drink twice daily.” Surprisingly enough, the simple decision to add a  bit of lemon or lime juice to your water has some amazing benefits, such as: cleansing the body of impurities, prevention against disease, and even a quickening of the metabolism some argue.  Now, the key is to make it a daily habit and the fresher the fruit the better.  In fact, if you know someone with a lemon tree, ask them if they’d like to get rid of some of their lemons.

Just Walk

As a member of a college track team, running was instilled in me.  The belief that without pain, fitness couldn’t be achieved, was very prevalent, clearly ignorantly so.  But since I never really enjoyed the act of running for more than a couple of miles, I had to question this logic.  For the past five years, I have been a walker. Don’t laugh. Okay if you’d like, you can, but I will be walking without pain well into my nineties.  It really comes down this: yes, it will take more time to walk the same distance you would be running, you will also have to make sure you are keeping your heart rate up in order to be considered an aerobic activity assisting the body in burning fat, but the benefit is that you can do this type of exercise almost anywhere. Here are nine different ways and places walking can be incorporated into your life. A small tweak that over time can be a daily habit that you enjoy and brings added perks – fitting into your favorite jeans, perhaps?

While that wraps up the series, here are the other ten suggestions on how to bring a small change into your life that can swell into tremendous payoffs.  Simply click on any of them to read more.

1) Pay Attention

2) Once a Week

3) Clean It Up

4) The Right Way

5) Tidy Up

6) Downsize

7) Set an Example

8) Only Once

9) Rejuvenating Slumber

10) Switch It Up

And if you have a Why Not suggestion for the next series, let me know.  I’d love to hear what you’d like to read.