Here are some suggestions to help you have a comprehensive approach to a successful life.

• Have a Master Life Plan (MLP). My MLP has five parts: A personal mission statement, a hierarchy of my priorities and goals, a statement of personal belief, a set of personal promises, and a commitment to do no harm to yourself, others, or the world.

• Have a systematic approach to performance. Here are eight steps to a process that works well for me: assess, analyze, design, develop, implement, iterate, evaluate and educate.

• Have a step-by-step way to identify and solve problems. Ask and answer these five questions. What is the problem? What is the cause? What is the solution? What techniques should I use? What will the solution look like?

• Have an effective Stress Management And Relaxation Training program (SMART). The 10-step BREAD formula will serve you well for this. There are five pairs of words, each with one psychological and one physiological. Breathing and Beliefs, Relaxation and Relationships, Exercise and Education, Activity and Attitude, Diet and Determination.

• Have a S.A.F.E exercise program. Include Strength, Aerobic and Flexibility Exercises in your routine. No. 1, however, is to exercise regularly and often. Five times per week for 30 to 45 minutes is a good target. Consider exercise the rent you pay for a healthy mind and body. It is well worth the effort. Be sure to get a physical before you start any program. Then, start light and slow and build up to a full routine over a month or 6 weeks.

• Have a lifelong learning program. Always have a mental goal that challenges you to improve yourself. Read nonfiction, watch educational videos or attend classes and lectures on topics of interest. Do crossword puzzles. Do word scrambles. Go for both fun and knowledge. “Use it or lose it,” especially applies to our brains.

• Have a strong social support network and enjoy interactions with others. This can be family. This can be friends, co-workers, or other volunteers.

• Have a sense of purpose and a reason for living and working.

• Have faith in the Infinite, in whatever form or way you choose.

• Be an optimist and enjoy humor. Optimists live longer, are happier, and are more fun to be around. If you don’t think Life has a sense of humor – look at yourself in the mirror for 5 minutes.

Tim O’Brien writes continuing-education courses and presents seminars on stress management. Readers may write to him at 3023 Shannon Lakes Dr., No. 102, Tallahassee, Fla. 32309, or send e-mail to [email protected]. He also has a Web site at www.hyperstress.com.