Must, Always and Never. Repeat after me...Must, Always and Never. Again...Must Always and Never.

These three words are essential when you are talking about achieving optimum health and pure happiness by creating lasting change. Why are these three words so important you ask? Simple. These words help create the rules that we establish for ourselves in our everyday lives; and we have to be really careful about how we use them.

Let's face it, whether we like it or not, rules are essential to living in society. If you think about it, there is a rule for almost everything. From speed limits to walking (not running) in the hallways at school to smoking in public places to how long we let our kids watch TV during the course of the day. Although some rules may not make a whole lot of sense, there are plenty that keep us out of harms way. Regardless of whether we agree with these rules, if we don't follow them, we are probably headed for a whole lot of pain (remember...as humans, everything we do is to either avoid pain or gain pleasure).

Let's take a look at some of the rules we make for ourselves when it comes to our health and happiness and whether or not they really serve a purpose or not. The problem with some of the rules we make is that they really aren't rule at all, they are more like guidelines. Kind of like things to do when it's convenient for us. If you really think about it, don't we make guidelines more than we make rules when it comes to our personal health and happiness? We say things like, "I will exercise today if I can find the time", or "I should eat healthy today".

When we include words like "if" and "should", our minds are already telling us that, "Hey, it sounds good to make these types of statements and I feel good about myself for the moment...but let's face it...I know it's not going to happen". And why is it not going to happen? Simple, you have been feeding yourself this guideline (lie) everyday for the past 3 years and have never been able to consistently "find time" to exercise, eat right or even be happy. You may have the best intentions, but something else always comes up (how convenient).

Think of someone you know who establishes hard and fast rules for themselves (and it doesn't even have to be rules related to their health and happiness). Maybe your boss has a rule that he will always be the first one in the office every morning to greet his employees. Maybe you have a rule in your life that says you and your spouse will never go to bed angry at one another. Maybe you have a friend whose rule says that they must call their mom at least once a week to talk and connect.

What do these rules have in common? They all contain either "always", "must" or "never". Just think about how these words transform a guideline to a rule and what happens to us psychologically when this occurs. Let's be honest with ourselves here. Most people don't mind not following guidelines, but most of us hate to break rules (especially when it's a rule we establish for our own health and well being).

Starting right now (there's no time like the present), establish just 3 simple rules regarding our health and happiness. Just three. That's it! Now, I want you to print out these 3 rules and post them in a place where you will see them A LOT. Make sure that you tell people about your new rules so they can hold your feet to the fire as well if they see you stray momentarily.

Heck...if you really want results, how about printing these rules on a t-shirt so the whole world can support you! Now that's BOLD!!!

I hope you can see where I am going with all this. It's pretty simple, yet incredibly effective. Make rules for yourself that will help you accomplish your health and happiness related goals. Then take the next step and post these goals in a visible place to serve as a reminder. If you really want to get serious, then print these goals on a shirt so the whole world can support your journey on the path to health and happiness. Finally, celebrate and enjoy the results !!!