I love the Forth of July. The holiday is a fabulous opportunity to take a break, celebrate summer and enjoy food (It’s blueberry & barbecue season!), family, fun and fireworks!

Beyond the festivities, what I appreciate about Independence Day is the story and history behind the holiday. 243 years ago on July 4^th delegates from 13 states debated whether or not to adopt the Declaration of Independence. After heated argument, they decided not to accept being “led by a thread” and resolved to cut ties with England. Despite fear (The Founding Fathers were committing treason, after all.) and unfavorable odds (There were about 2.5 million people living in America at the time compared to 11 million in Britain, and the British army was better trained and equipped.), the states claimed their independence from England altering the course of world history.

It takes tremendous courage, faith and strength to cut ties and break free from parts of your life that aren’t working. Just like a space shuttle needs tons of momentum (about 25,000 miles per hour) to hit Escape Velocity and break free from the earth’s atmosphere, breaking free from relationships, jobs or behaviors that aren’t working takes a huge amount of energy.

Even thinking about change triggers fear that keeps you stuck especially at midlife when we’re so anchored to the life we have. What if I leave my partner and don’t find another relationship? Or quit my job and can’t find better work? Or stand up to my mom who’s driving me crazy and hurt her? Or try to finally lose weight and get in shape and fail? Staying in your familiar, cramped and uncomfortable cage repeating the same old, same old rather than facing the unknown can feel safer and easier. But is it?

Fortunately, it’s never too late to face your fears, get unstuck and liberate yourself. The first step is realizing something’s not working and know you can break free. Starting right now you can say YES to the life you want. Once you do that you free up a tremendous amount of energy to break free and unleash the power within.

Here are 10 additional ways to break free:

1. Set an Intention

Intentions are the fuel you need to hit escape velocity so you can break free from the atmosphere that’s keep you trapped. Write your intention (what you want to achieve) down and repeat it often. Connect with the emotion you’ll experience once your dream is a reality. Doing so will propel you to succeed at all costs and help you to never giving up on your dream.

2. Stop Worrying

Worrying is like praying for what you don’t want. In the words of Leo Buscaglia:

It’s completely, useless. Besides most of what you worry about never happens. Worry lives in your imagination.

When you start to worry say STOP and refuse to listen to the future talk that keeps you small and trapped.

Don’t worry if you have no idea exactly where the change you want is leading you or what the future will look like. When you’re hungry do you walk into the kitchen hoping to find the perfect sandwich? No, you pull out bread, condiments and a filling and make a sandwich from what’s on hand.

3. Get Lost

Most of us long for a specific road map—a magical GPS device that tells us how to get from where we are (point A) to where we want to be (point Z). That’s not how life works. Faith grows and miracles occur when we trust and ask to be guided to our next step.

Rather than trying to figure it all out, locate your points A and Z. Then map out the next smallest step you can take (point B) to get to Z. You don’t have to make ginormous changes to get to your destination. As you move towards Z listen to your internal GPS system, your heart. Notice what course feels right and what direction feels wrong and you’ll eventually reach Z.

Aim for progress not perfection, enjoy the JOurneY and don’t be scared of failing. Failure is just a stop on the road to success.

4. Surround Yourself With Strong, Positive People

You need all the support you can get, so surround yourself with people who inspire you and can help you break free. Strong, positive people will lift you higher. Find them, they’re out there. Look for people who see the beauty and genius in you and make you feel good about yourself.

Don’t have anyone who’s uber positive and supportive? Consider personal coaching to transform your life. A transformational coach can help you create a vision for your next chapter along with steps to help you reach your goals and create your dream life. To schedule a free consult with me click HERE.

5. Walk Away From Toxic People and Relationships

Spend less time with people who suck the energy out of you and don’t support you. You’ll feel better about yourself and create space to attract positive people into your live.

6. Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

Do something new every day that scares you. You’ll build the confidence and courage you need to break free and follow a path with heart. (For ideas on how to step outside your comfort zone click HERE.)

7. Ditch the Dead End Job, Relationship or…

Just do it. The universe abhors a vacuum. When you ditch what’s not working you create space for something new to happen. Yes it’s scary, but fear isn’t something to avoid. Fear is there to show you where you need more trust. You don’t have to be a victim of your fear. Face your fears and let courage free you.  (For Tips on Overcoming Fear Click HERE.)

8. Work On Yourself

My 22-year-old daughter jokingly tells me all the time: “Mom, make good choices.” It’s a wise advice. Your life is a series of choices, go to yoga class on the way home or stop at the drive-through for take out? Watch TV or read a book. Stay up late reading Facebook posts or turn in early so you feel great in the morning. Look at all the small choices you make every day and select the choices that move you forward.

9. Just Say No

Stop wasting your time fulfilling obligations that exhaust you. Saying no is a great way to free and say yes to yourself.

10. Practice Self-Compassion

You have a resource to keep you fueled and headed towards freedom 24/7. YOU.

Treat yourself the way you would a good friend. Notice when you’re worrying, stressed or suffering and stop (see step 2). Be kind to yourself rather than judgmental especially when you’re hurting. Realize we’re all imperfect beings, it’s part of the human condition. Practice radical self-care, and give yourself what you need physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually to stay happy and balanced.

Just like the Founding Fathers said no to England and yes to the country they wanted to create, you can break free form what’s not working and say YES to the life you want to create.

I’d love to help you break free. To schedule a complimentary coaching consult click HERE.