The Phoenix Strategy is about helping you to get the life you want.

STEP ONE

Establishing what we want from life can be a very difficult task and quite often we revert back to the life we have and continue.  If we do so, that is completely fine unless there is that constant nagging feeling, or the wrenching feeling in your stomach.  Then you know at some point, something needs to be done.  Only what?

Step one is to search your soul. 

Wow, so easy, hey?

That's where the exercises help.  Throughout our book, Ian and I use exercises to introduce concepts, help you engage with what you want and plan for how to get it.

Try this simple exercise:

EXERCISE:

You have 10 seconds to note down 5 things you want in your life right at this moment.

1. 

2. 

3.

4.

5.

Now look at 1-5 and, taking each in turn, ask yourself if it is achievable.  If you feel it is not achievable, why?  I'd love to sing live on stage, but I can't sing so while I may find I have the chance, it would not be wise.  Although very amusing for the audience as long as eardrums were not damaged..

Being realistic is essential, but remember to dream a little, if not a lot.  Also remember to follow those dreams too, where possible.  Is effort required? Further training? A miracle? 

Do you need a confidence booster, a plan, or help?

There are exercises that address a range of issues which often prevent us from following our dream throughout the book.

STEP TWO

Step two is to put the idea into action, to move forward and unfortunately, while people can help us to do this with encouragement [and sometimes actually doing a lot of the hard work for us], it will always come back to you.  You moving forward starts with and end with YOU.

So, once you realise that, you only have to decide that is what YOU want.

If YOU want to move forward, YOU can.  You can do whatever YOU wish.

STEP THREE

Step three is review.  Not constant analysis as this can be quite negative in itself, but a simple 'is this the right way for me' check.  If you move too fast, too soon or too slow, or take a step and suddenly realise that you miss what you had, YOU will feel this.

However, it is a good idea to just simply sit still, relax and think of what changes you are making and note the reaction.  If it is anxiety, then this is not necessarily a bad thing and Ian has set out some useful exercises in the book.

You know yourself well enough to know, when it comes to it, whether the steps you are making should be embraced or re-thought!