2013 is your year. It’s your year because you’re going to get off that damn fence, and MAKE it your year. No excuses.

If you’ve been perched on the fence getting splinters, unable to make a decision, paralyzed and afraid to take the jump toward your happiness, I am coming for you. I’m coming for you with the frying pan! Today, you’re getting your mojo on. Today, you’re making plans.

So let’s get right to it.

Here are your 5 Steps To Get Off The Fence in 2013. It’s time to make a plan to get happy and thriving:

Step 1 – Determine Where You’re Stuck

The first step to get off the fence and live your best life, is self-awareness. You have to know where you’re blocked, stuck or not thriving. This takes time alone, and the ability to be still and quiet to think about where you are not happy. Exercises like making two lists: One list called CHANGES / IMPROVEMENTS I WANT TO MAKE IN 2013, and the other list is called the OFF THE FENCE / HAPPINESS ACTION PLAN. So, for example, if you want to start your own business in 2013, on the left hand side, you would write, “Start my own business,” and on the right hand side, it would read, “Moonlight my start-up on the side, working ninety minutes at night and four hours on the weekends until I am revenue bearing and can quit my day-job to focus on my business full time.”

The trick is, the more detailed your two lists are, the better. Post your page in a visible spot. It holds you both accountable, and keeps your eye on the prize.

Step 2 – Commit to Doing the Work

Know that nothing will work unless you do. My grandfather used to say, “Nobody ever drowned in their own sweat.” It was a borrowed expression, but it always stuck with me. Happiness doesn’t come without a commitment to happiness. Without work. Your happiness is a choice. You getting what you want out of life is YOUR DECISION. And the same holds true for your unhappiness. So, commit to doing the work. Whatever your goals are, commit to hustling to make them happen.

Everyday I’m shufflin’… (Don’t you love quoting LMFAO?)

Step 3 – Expand Your Skills

Yes. Expand your skills and commit to learning something new. Often we stay stuck and on the fence because we don’t have the necessary skills and knowledge needed to move forward. So acquire that knowledge and expand your skills. This could mean taking up a new hobby, enrolling in an accounting course, volunteering, or simply giving away your expertise for free. What I mean here is, if you want to become a PAID speaker in 2013 for example, speaking for free is a great way to get your name our there, and gain experience and expertise. If you want to start a consulting company, offer coaching or consulting for FREE at the beginning, both to get your feet wet, AND to build a customer base.

Expanding your skills does not only mean enrolling in courses and acquiring new knowledge, it also means putting the current knowledge you have to work.

Step 4 – Get Out There and Meet NEW People

Commit to taking up a new hobby, volunteering, getting more involved in your kids’ school, or joining a networking group – for the purpose of meeting NEW people. What happens is, we often meet the people we need through the law of attraction. For example, I am thinking of finally getting off the fence and creating teleclasses and an app in 2013. I started to ask people if they know anyone who develops apps, and I put it out into the universe. Simply because I reached out to new people and asked them for help, I now have acquired more knowledge, helping me off the fence, moving me closer to my goals.

If you allow yourself to be open, and join places like your local Chamber of Commerce, BNI, writing groups, or just traveling alone,  or finding a mentor, I promise, you will attract the people you need who will help propel you closer to your goals.

Step 5 – Make More Time for the Things You Love To Do

When you do the things you love to do, it helps boost your serotonin levels (the happiness hormone), which aids in fighting depression, and other mood disorders. Doing the things you love can put you in a state of euphoria, lowering your cortisol levels (the bad hormone), which clears your mind and allows you to make good, quality decisions. For me, I love spending time with my girlfriends – we laugh, I mean gut-busting laughter, and it does my mind and body good. I also love spending time alone in a bookstore, perusing the aisles with a coffee. It calms me and regroups me. What is it for you?

When you do what you love, you are being good to yourself. You are spoiling yourself. And spoiling yourself is your right. Feeling good allows you to make clear decisions. Do it, guilt-free.

So I wish for all of you, to jump the fence in 2013. I hope you’ll join me.

Are you currently on the fence, or do you have any questions or comments about fence jumping? I know the territory well. 😉 Happy Friday beautiful ladies.