The step-by-step guide for resetting your life path applies many principles, theories, and research studies. It uses inspirational stories and profiles as powerful examples that bring the process to life. Delve deeper into each Step with examples of the source material, as well as more information about the inspirational stories, and more in the following resources.

Step One: Open Your Mind

The profile of Phyllis Diller showed there was a lot more to her than just being funny. Find out what she was really like from her own employee. And read the book that Diller credited with her ability to step into the limelight.

A source for the profile of Phyllis Diller came from these excerpts of a 3-hour interview by the Archive of American Television.

 

An interview with Jessica Lange is featured in Reset Your Life Path about how she plans to reinvent herself.

Step Two: Discover “Pushing” vs. “Pulling” Influences

Lincoln’s profile in Step Two discovered that Lincoln was an unlikely hero. He had a lot to overcome. This is a critically acclaimed book to dig further into the roots of Lincoln’s character.

 

Step Two explains the role of cognitive dissonance in decision-making. The following provides an explanation and examples of what this term means. Readers are cautioned to avoid making decisions based purely on removing the discomfort of having an internal conflict. Instead, become aware of the conflict and be open to a process that aligns your beliefs and actions based on the next Steps.

 

The role of habits—using current habits and creating new ones—is a theme that begins at this Step and carries through the rest of the process. Eventually, the change you want to make becomes habitual. Some of the neuroscience and concepts behind habit formation are complex. Here is additional reading to understand this background

Step Three: Ground Yourself

Abraham Maslow’s theory of our hierarchy needs helped established the foundation for Reset Your Life Path, which is that each of us needs strong foundation. Learn more about Maslow’s theory.

 

Part of the process in Step Three is to take an on-line assessment that reveals your character strengths and values. It is free of charge and available at:

 

Chris Embleton does not want her history in saving the lives of hundreds of children to be all about her. She rarely shares her personal story as completely as she did for Reset Your Life Path. This is a glimpse into her life and one of the organizations she founded:

Step Four: Find Your Purpose

Tony Danza’s profile in Step Four’s “Find Your Purpose” was based on his book. Find out from Tony in his own words how he became a teacher and then had to rediscover his sense of purpose that led him there.

See Tony’s message to teachers in his video. He’d probably want future teachers to see it, too.

 

You may have noticed that the 10-Step process does not refer to “happiness” as your ultimate goal. This is in spite of the fact that there is a large population of happiness-seekers. The problem with this type of thinking is that happiness can be fleeting. Meaning and purpose last longer. Viktor Frankl said: “It is the very pursuit of happiness that thwarts happiness.” Learn what else this inspirational survivor of the Nazi concentration camps discovered about meaning that grew out of experiences that seemed so hopeless.

 

As the article above about Victor Frankl noted, his book Man’s Search for Meaning has been cited as one of the 10 most influential books ever written.

Step 5: Accept Your Shadow Self

Maya Angelou left us her words of wisdom. Get a better sense of who she was through her poetry.

 

In this TED Talk, Brené Brown models what it means to be vulnerable by talking about her shadow side.

 

Debbie Ford’s contribution was noted in Step Five for accepting our shadow side. After she died, her family posted a message on her website (click on “about Debbie Ford”). You will also see her personal message here about the evolution of the soul.

Like Debbie Ford, a lot of our understanding about our “shadow side” comes from the addiction and mental health community.  The Granite Recovery Centers based in New Hampshire has an excellent comprehensive resource for how to improve our lives physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually with practical advice and support at graniterecoverycenters.com.

Step 6: Envision Your Future

Martin Luther King, Jr. had a gift for envisioning a better future. He also knew the path for how to get that was as important as the destination. Two books are recommended to understand this remarkable man: the words directly from him; and a new look at the end of his life.


You make more changes throughout your life than you think you’ll make. Knowing that, the point of this TED Talk is to start imagining change for your future.

Step 7: Seek Your Higher Purpose

The book “Autobiography of a Yogi” is one of the most popular books on religion/spirituality ever sold. Parmahansa Yogananda, the autobiographical author, was the subject of the profile for Step 7.

 

A new movie “Awake” about Yogananda Parmahansa’s life as an Indian guru in America can be previewed here:

 

In this Step, the program helps you find the highest possible connection between yourself and the outside world. Actress Thandie Newton ponders how to define her “self” and finds answers deep within and outside herself.

Step 8: Offer Your Gifts

Can your business “do good”? Warren Buffet’s challenge to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was featured in Step 8 as a way for exceptionally wealthy people to take responsibility for improving the world. Learn what Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, and other business leaders think about how companies can make a difference.

 

Seth Godin makes a point about being unique, or as he calls it “don’t be boring”, in an entertaining way. Seth makes it clear that there’s a whole new world of possibilities today for reaching people with what you are offering.

Step 9: Prevent Obstacles

Ellen DeGeneres’s path to finding her purpose was the subject of this Step’s profile. But she wouldn’t want us to take any of this too seriously. Her book may help, seriously.

 

Did you know Ellen has a newsletter? Sign up for free here:

 

All of the Steps up until this point minimize the immobilizing affect that prior obstacles may have caused. If you’ve read the book, we recommend concentrating on removing the most important obstacles at this point only, or what was called foundational resources. For those who want more help, see which of these articles might help without becoming dependent on finding excuses:

While you are at the selfgrowth.com website, here is the Life Path Adviser page:

Step 10: Do Something!

In Step 10, you are encouraged to “Take Action!” Find out why Steve Jobs said that it was in looking back that you can connect the dots. Read the complete story of the life of Steve Jobs and how he made a difference.

 

It helps to be as organized as possible once you are ready to take action, especially if you are prone to procrastination or are easily distracted. These tips are especially helpful to make sure you follow-through on your plans.

 

Jack Andraka’s story in Step Ten of what he accomplished at age 15 is proof of his tagline that anyone can “make something cool…and change the world.” Keep up with Jack and connect with him at his site:

 

At this point, Step Ten, you are ready to take action. Did you wonder why the Life Path Adviser Program included a guidebook for writing down your answers? It’s because writing down your plan, backed up by all the other Steps, actually helps make your plan come to life. This article explains why it works:

While at the above site, check out the page on the Life Path Adviser Program: