Life is like a garden that we plant and nurture as we journey along its path. Is your life turning out the way you dreamed it would? Are you fulfilled? helping others? connected to the world around you? being the best you can be? dedicated to your life's passion?

Perhaps, like many of us, you are caught up in the day-to-day rush of staying on top of your job, paying bills, plodding through activities and, at times, feeling somewhat overwhelmed by existing commitments? Such routines can be a vicious cycle that wears down even the best of us.

Six simple success strategies will help you reduce stress and get back on the path to start living a life by design. I like to think of the following steps as essential "seeds" to plant and nurture in your life's garden.

1. Breathe. Simple enough and absolutely essential to stay alive and survive. But, to thrive in your garden, try breathing deeply, relaxing your shoulders and focusing on your dreams. Shutting your eyes may help you visualize yourself as a relaxed, on-purpose individual who is enjoying a life of success.

If possible to do so, repeat this procedure whenever you feel tension during your day.

2. Exercise. Put time in your schedule to do what you love - walk, run, bike, skate, swim, dance, yoga,........whatever you can commit to do daily. Smile, breathe deeply and enjoy your chosen activity.

Even better, start living and invite friends or coworkers to share this activity with you. Synergy will help all of you stay motivated. Laugh together while you play. Aerobic exercise releases endorphins that elevate our moods. What type of disposition attracts you? gives you more energy? helps you stay focused and on purpose?

3. Eat smart. Whether we like it or not, we are what we eat. Will lunch be a burger, fries and a soft drink (ie. fats, harmful grilling byproducts like carcinogens, and lots of sugar)? Consuming such easy-to-get meals contributes to our sky-rocketing health problems like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, ..... you know the list.

Diets rich in a variety of vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains and legumes provide essential vitamins and minerals not found in highly processed fast foods. Plant a vegetable garden for your family or visit your local farmers' market for the very best nature has to offer. Buy locally.

Take time to enjoy your meals. Your mother's advice to chew thoroughly is supported by science. Taking time to chew gives your body time to "tell" you that you've eaten enough. [You'll feel full.] When you are full, move away from the table and get out of the kitchen.

4. Plan. Prioritize your day/week/month/year. Most successful people do the most important tasks and those requiring highest energy input first. Not coincidentally, they also schedule down time for leisure activities, hobbies and vacations with family and friends.

Have you been procrastinating an important task that somehow seems too big to start? Try scheduling even just 30 minutes to work on it early in your day for several consecutive days. Commit and "just do it" - you will make progress. Reward yourself for following through.

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