It's nearly unfathomable that it's been a full year since my last blog post... and to the day, which wasn't planned. Oh, synchronicity, how you guide us when we're willing.

Unfathomable becomes down right embarrassing when coupled with the truth that it's been on my hope-list to write one each month since.

What is a hope list?

It's a list of important things, written or mental, that we intend to get around to, but usually put off for more urgent, and often less important things.

Stephen Covey talks about it in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. He explains that many people spend so much time in their circle of concern, they subjugate their circle of influence to a pinhead while spending all their time doing things that won't matter in five years-- let alone five weeks. Sound familiar?

My saving grace is that in the past year, I've actively been taking inventory of my hope list and cross referencing it with my non-negotiables list, my 'don't-give-a-fuck' and my 'it-is-what-it-is' lists. The result is a rock solid foundation to build upon with an empowering blue print for moving forward... complete with partnerships that give me 24-hour access to state of the art overhaul/renovation services, which is important because as my mentor says: "Life is gonna keep on life-in."

Yes, Vita Lifestyle Design has been undergoing some necessary transformation. And the truth is: it hasn't always been pretty. In fact, it's been downright gritty because it started with the pain of recognizing a growing hope list with a shrinking sphere of influence. It's taken some time. Obviously. And a lot of difficult and fulfilling work. But if my experience can help you, it will be another serendipity that reinforces how amazing life is.

So...do you have a hope list? My guess is you do.

So, why not start putting it to paper? Put it somewhere you will see it everyday. Maybe make it pretty if that feels important to calling your attention to it. Already written? Start small. Start cross-referencing.

Just start!

What less important or altogether time-wasting things are taking the place of the activities that you know will make a difference for you in a year? Five years? That will impact others? Change the world? Maybe you need to start developing your 'don't-give-a-fuck' or 'it-is-what-it-is' lists to help you prioritize and let go of some things.

Sometimes even the smallest acts of showing up can have a radical impact on our sphere of influence.

And if we each focused on how to do this in a way that is responsible towards others and our planet, my guess is this world would be headed in a different trajectory.

Happy orbiting!