Years ago, I was talking to my boss on a jobsite in Los Angeles and he said, "Rachel, hate to tell you this...sounds like you've got analysis paralysis."

Analysis paralysis? 

Nike got it right when they told us to "Just do it."

"Just do it" means take action. Take a risk. Put the fear aside and do what you know you should do to advance your life. Don't let anything or anyone get in your way, especially your self-protective thinking. Your life is about being on a mission, so just plow forward, take the risks, and keep moving. Never stop and certainly never give up!

Our world is in the process of being transformed; everyone can feel the shift that's taking place across the globe. We're going through an evolution on many different levels.

What this means is that it is time for change! It's time for a fresh start to life! It's time to grab the reigns on your life and do what you came here to do!

My dear friend and hero, Ed LaPorta, is about to turn 95 in a few months. Nothing has ever stopped Ed from going after what he wants, and he would tell you the very same thing...live life to the fullest! Dare to live your dreams. Be strong, be brave, and don't worry about a thing.

Just do it!

Live your purpose, Live in peace.

-- Rachel Naddor

Yesterday after I spoke about the upcoming Realizing Your Dream workshop, someone came up to me to ask me why it's being held on a Sunday afternoon when it might be a pretty day. Could we have class outside?

To turn dreams into realities, you have to go after what you want. First, you need to be clear on what it is that you really want, you need to be able to visualize your dream, and then you have to put work into it...a lot of work. In fact, this is by far the hardest work you'll ever do.

You have to chase it, pursue it, obsess about it, and put every ounce of your energy into it.

Realizing dreams isn't for the faint of heart. Dreams are realized by reaching within yourself for all the courage you can muster, having conviction about your goals, and doing whatever it takes to achieve them. You need to be willing to go to any lengths for your dream.

Recently I wrote a Naddor's Notes* titled "What are you willing to give up?" Realizing dreams involves an exchange. In order to receive, you need to give. And this giving involves releasing something that you may hold dear, something that is familiar and comfortable for you, something that makes you feel safe.

Disappointment and regret in life come from placing too much value and focus on worldly things and simple pleasures, rather than the things that will ultimately bring you the greatest joy, satisfaction and peace.

The greatest joy, satisfaction, and peace come from knowing why you are here and taking action towards making it a reality. This is the path to your purpose.

Are you willing to do the work?

Live your purpose, Live in peace.

-- Rachel Naddor

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I've always been fascinated by plant roots. Some are white, some are brown; some are thin, some are thick; some grow down, some grow sideways...yet they're all aiming for 3 things: nourishment, stability, and growth.

The visible part of a plant, the part above the surface, usually gives a good indication of the condition and characteristics of its roots.

Our roots make us who we are. They also give us clues about our greatest potential in life. And what's really neat is that if you've had a difficult life, or your parents had difficult lives, or your grandparents had difficult lives, this means that you have the possibility of overcoming major hurdles to create a most magnificent life for yourself! I have a friend who once told me, "The greater the life challenges, the greater the potential for success." So true!

You need to examine your roots, especially your childhood, and the childhoods of your parents and grandparents, to get the clues you need in order to identify your precise life purpose. Who were these people? What were their challenges? What were their successes? What made them unique?

Use your understanding of your roots to create your dream life. When you're clear on where you come from, it's much easier to know where you need to go. Take a look back and get on the path to your purpose!

Living your purpose means living in peace.

-- Rachel Naddor

A few weeks before I graduated with my civil engineering degree from Duke University, I admitted to one of my professors that what I really wanted to do was own a flower shop. I wanted to be a florist, not an engineer.

Professor Biswas responded to me, "Rachel, if that's what you really want to do, DO IT NOW!"

Did I listen to him? NO!

But thankfully I didn't wait too long. 2 years later, I quit my stable, lucrative job as an environmental engineer with Exxon, and immediately took a job that paid $5 an hour as a cashier at a local plant nursery as my next step. I ran the register, I swept the floors, and my boss was a girl who hadn't finished high school. I had some savings and I had a plan.

That is called being on the path to your purpose. Owning a flower shop wasn't my ultimate purpose, not even close to it, but working at that plant nursery was the next stepping stone. Boy, they even sold stepping stones there!

So how about you? Did you ever really want to be or do something but the world around you gave you a million reasons why it was a bad idea?

If there's something you really want to do, DO IT NOW! Don't let your life slip by. Find your courage and take that next step on the path to your purpose.