Seek Professional Help

Listen, there’s a lot of pieces to the puzzle when it comes to making lifestyle changes. A New Level of Awesome requires changes to the body, to the finances, to the spirit, to the soul (for me). Everyone’s goal is different, but exceeding a current level of awesome will require you do new things. You know the old saying, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

So, to achieve your goals, you need more than just the end game outlined. The ultimate goal is the starting point when you’re planning. But you need a way to get there. Much like driving the backwoods in Arkansas, getting there will be a whole lot easier if you’re going with someone that knows the way. (Speaking from personal experience. They don’t believe in streetlights out there man!!) Anyway, no matter what your goal is, it would behoove you to check out some professionals in the area. Naturally, the advice you seek – and the “expert” you choose to give you that advice will vary on the level of help you need, and the type of advice you’re looking for. You may seek out a friend’s advice who has achieved the goal that you’re after, or who has a natural affinity for the subject. (Here’s the part where you totally take advantage of your meathead friend to give fitness advice, or your health-nut friend to give cooking advice, or your finance major friend to give money advice… you get the picture). But, be careful what you wish for. You can’t just ask everyone in your circle what you should do. Not only are you likely to get conflicting advice, but this isn’t goal reaching by consensus. The point of seeking professional help is to get good solid advice. So seek out your expert wisely…find someone who can help you get to your end point on a path that makes sense for you.

If you’re a bookworm like I am, there are a plethora of books out there that can help with any number of lifestyle changes. Below is a quick list of go-to faves which are fully endorsed by pheebee. (Because, we all know that I love giving unsolicited advice!!)

Finances: I can’t do anything money related without help…with the exception of the holy art of budgeting. That said, there’s a lot more to money than knowing how much you can spend at the market.
1. Young, Fabulous & Broke – Suze Orman
2. Shoo Jimmy Choo: The Modern Girl’s Guide to Spending Less and Saving More – Caty Hill

Increasing fabulous: I’ve recommended this book a thousand times, I’ll do it again. Some of the tips are a little outdated, but the basics hold true.
1. Beautylicious: The Black Girl’s Guide to the Fabulous Life – Jenyne M. Raines

Food: Not to be confused with dieting. Any weight watchers’ alum worth her (or his) salt will tell you that it only works if you make it a lifestyle change – not a crash diet!
1. Eat This Not That! – David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding
2. Rachel Ray 365: No Repeats – Rachel Ray (I’m cheating here, this is a recipe book. But trust me, she keeps it simple – which makes cooking a lot more tolerable).

And, while I’m on the subject, allow me to take 30 seconds to mention the virtues of owning a library card. Listen, party people. The library offers all kinds of books, for free! There is no need to purchase each and every book you want to read. What if you don’t like the book? I totally get owning books you intend to read over and over again. But, a book that you only plan to read once? Paying for that is just silly. (If you ask me – or even if you don’t). So, go get a library card, already!