I have been remiss in keeping the Police Dynamics website updated largely due to the new private investigative business that I recently founded, Focal Point Investigations.  And I am going to renege again by once again deferring to my friend and colleague Lloyd Thomas for this latest post. His comments are always insightful, thought-provoking, and consistent with the character-based message of Police Dynamics. I hope you enjoy…

CREATE THE LIFE OF YOUR DREAMS By Lloyd J. Thomas, Ph.D.

In last week’s column, I wrote about the process of transforming your life. I received many responses that essentially complained that the column was too “complicated” or “too abstract.” So today, I write about some practical steps you can take to engage in that “transformational process” more easily. Here are some of the practical principles for creating the life of your dreams.

1. Consciously choose what you really want. Dream boldly and positively. With photographic clarity, imagine your life the way you want it to be. Trust your own ability to create the life you desire.

2. Always tell the truth. Directly and candidly speak and write only what you believe to be true. Be honest with yourself. Seek the truth about yourself, others and the world. Make certain that what you speak is borne out in how you act.

3. Focus on becoming a Lover in Life. Measure everything you think, do and say by how loving it is. Quickly let go of all hurt, resentment and vengefulness. Be quick to forgive…yourself and others.

4. Take responsibility for everything you think, say and do. Becoming responsible for all your behavior and its consequences empowers you to control your own desired changes.

5. Live in the moment. The past is gone forever and cannot be changed. We never know from heartbeat to heartbeat if the future will happen. So always “be” in the present. It is the gift of Life.

6. Focus your awareness. Choose wisely that to which you attend. Attention always strengthens that upon which it is focused. Like a magnifying glass, focused attention makes everything bigger.

7. Listen care-fully and authentically. Seek first greater knowledge and understanding. Listen with your heart. Listen to the world around you. Listen without fear. Listen to what others do not say, but that which is expressed in who they are. Listen to all transactions with caring concern for the outcome of those interactions.

8. Consciously choose new habits. You can never “unlearn” old habits. If you don’t like riding a broken bicycle, learn how to drive a car. Remember to “re-program” your thinking habits before undertaking any task that is new to you. Be willing to make mistakes. They are the necessary steps to the accomplishment of what you want.

9. Plan, Practice, Persistence, and Patience. These “4P’s” are the keys to attaining any desired goal. Always look beyond your current situation toward your desired results.

10. Serve the needs of others. You always get more out of living when you assist others to get what they want out of life. The quality of your service will depend on how well you take good care of yourself first.

11. Celebrate your life. As William Purkey has written, “Dance like no one is watching, Love like you’ll never be hurt, Sing like no one is listening, Live like it’s heaven on earth.” I hope you find the above suggestions more useful than last week’s column.

Dr. Thomas is a licensed psychologist, author, speaker, and life coach. He serves on the faculty of the International University of Professional Studies. He recently co-authored (with Patrick Williams) the book: “Total Life Coaching: 50+ Life Lessons, Skills and Techniques for Enhancing Your Practice…and Your Life!” (W.W. Norton 2005) It is available at your local bookstore or on Amazon.com.