A life less ordinary

You're strong and steady on your mat, but when it comes to life, you just can't seem to find balance. New York-based life coach Anna Goldstein of Self in the City can help. Anna says she helps her clients find inspiration and self-confidence by strenghtening certain brain connections. We asked her to share tips on creating a healthy, happy and balanced life.

Follow these three tips from Anna to create a life you love:

Assess Your Whole Life

What part of your life needs the most work? According to Anna, there are 7 distinct areas (Health, Relationships, Occupation, Finances, Personal/Spiritual Growth, Physical Environment, and Fun/Creativity) that make up most people's lives. Ask yourself specific questions for each area, such as: "On a scale of 0 to 10 how satisfied am I with my occupation?" When all areas are assessed and reviewed, you will have insight and clarity to where your life is out of balance.

Create a Specific Vision

What does a balanced life look like for you in the next 6 months, 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?  Spend some time visualizing your future and write down what you want. Successful people are committed to setting goals in writing and following them. Without a vision, you are more likely to fall back into old patterns and habits. Setting specific goals will make you more aware of the actions that lead you to a balanced state.

Balance Your Mind

The way you think profoundly influences the way you feel, so learning to change your thoughts can enable you to change your results. A balanced state of mind will inevitably create a more balanced life. When your mind is filled with anxiety, worry or fear your choices are clouded by this state of mind. Since your outer world is a reflection of your inner world, you must be aware of your thoughts and learn to train your mind to be more peaceful.