“Motivation is what gets you started.  Habit is what keeps you going.” -Jim Ryun This principle is simple and straightforward. Habits are what shape our lives - for better or worse - and ultimately define us as human beings. We ARE what we continuously DO. What are your behaviors adding up to? Confucius said, “The Nature of men is always the same; it is their habits that carry them far apart.” And the great Roman poet Ovid said, “Habits change into character.” If we look at the areas of our life where we do really well consistently, we’ll find that it’s because of the things we do habitually. Sure, we’ll have our peaks and valleys, but if we have good habits, we’ll stay above average. If we look at the weak or unsuccessful areas of our life, we’ll also find that it’s because of the things we do habitually. Again, some months will be better than others, but if we’re weak in a category on a consistent basis, it’s probably because of a few recurring negative habits that seem to have stuck.

The "S" Word.  We say it all the time.  We feel it far too often.  Sometimes it can seem as though our lives are completely covered in it. So how can we ensure it doesn't 'hit the fan'? Use these 40 preventative ways to eliminate STRESS from your life, and clean up your act:

Money is one of the most popular topics for argument between couples. What starts out as an intention for discipline and awareness can quickly turn into a barrage of negative emotions; frustration, stress, overwhelm, judgment – the list goes on.  We’ve all been there.  But does it really have to be that way? The answer is ABSOLUTELY NOT.  As a matter of fact, it CAN’T be that way if we want to achieve financial freedom, live our very best lives, and experience extraordinary love relationships. With a little positive persistence and conscious calculation, you and your partner can be on the road toward financially free (and stress free) discussions in no time. Here are 5 ways to stop fighting and start growing as an empowered team:

Everyone has their own unique emotional recipes to manifest the emotions that are most important to them. When’s the last time you opened your Lifebook and revisited yours? This month, the Lifebook Team got together and contributed their very own emotional recipes, complete with their ‘secret ingredients’...

Written by Lifebook Member Devers Branden Devers Branden is one of the happiest people on the planet. Her joy is radiant, her compassion is remarkable, and her contentment in life is unshakable. Devers has achieved the most successful emotional life imaginable.

With no formal education in psychology, Devers forged an entirely new path in the world of psychotherapy. Alongside her former husband, Nathaniel Branden, Devers worked in clinics all over the world, helping thousands of individuals find new roads to happiness. She is also the co-author of books “Achieving High Self Esteem,” “What Love Asks of Us,” and many more publications. For several years, Devers also taught seminars through The Branden Institute. The most recent and compelling seminar is based on the discipline of happiness. After studying the subject for many years, her approach is simple, comprehensive, and profoundly wise.

The concept of happiness is often vague, subjective, and too overwhelming for most to approach. However, Devers defines happiness as two fold. Happiness is the existence of an inner-peace - the creation of a quiet internal environment that allows people to hear themselves. Happiness is also the experience of striving for achievement, the realization of personal goals.

Devers shares the following crucial elements in the creation of happiness:

Want to hear what Jon, Missy and the Lifebook Team want to do before they die?  Well here it is – Our EXOTIC Bucket List - featuring some of planet Earth’s most daring, beautiful and mind opening adventures.  Are you in?! Share what’s on YOUR bucket...

The Principle of Limited Focus has been a favorite among Lifebook Members, and can prove to be life transforming if applied correctly. The principle of limited focus says that being selective and DOING LESS is the key to accomplishing MORE. In other words, what we DON’T DO is every bit as important as what we choose to DO. The ultimate goal of Lifebook Members is to become "12-category smart." But 12 different life categories can be a lot to manage. Creating and maintaining high levels of health and fitness, and career & financial success, and balancing it with an extraordinary love life, a fulfilling social life, fantastic parenting, fulfilling emotions and spirituality… it’s quite a challenge. But it’s absolutely necessary if we want to live extraordinary lives. The bottom line is this… In order to become 12-category smart, we must learn to be EFFECTIVE. This does not mean being BUSY.

Article written by Lifebook Member Amanda D. Amanda experienced the Lifebook Program in September of 2007.  6 months later, in the same city, a stranger named Bret attended Lifebook as well. This is the story of how they fell in love, and are continuing to create a legendary romance. A few months after Amanda experienced the Lifebook Program she was out to coffee with Melissa, her Lifebook Session Director.  “I knew it was one of Amanda’s dreams to meet someone who'd be on her level, really wanting to take every category of life to the furthest extent possible”, Melissa said.  “As I got to know Bret in our [separate] Lifebook Session, something just clicked in me that I had to find a woman for him.  I thought ‘this guy is too good to be true!’ I asked both of them if they'd be willing to connect and the rest is history... literally!”