I just returned from a short visit with a dear friend in Tucson, in southern Arizona. While I was there, I developed a cold. Consciousness-wise, colds can signify confusion, but in my life, they indicate that I'm feeling overwhelmed with all that's going on. And considering the past month, I would have to agree that's been the case.

1. Write down everything you want to change in your life.
   
   I mean everything, from your weight to your mom stopping her nitpicking, increased income to putting up that little picture you got at the flea market. Big and small, write them all down. Take a small note pad with you to catch the ones you think of in the supermarket or at work. Add them to your master list.
   
   
2. Prioritize the importance of each one.
   
   First, go through and eliminate the desires that you have no power to change, like your father's health, or the state of the economy. With what's left, give each one a number from one to ten to establish its importance, with one being very important, and ten being least important. Take the ones you rated a one or two, and again assign each a number of importance. Whittle them down to a few really strong desires.
   
   
3. Pick the most important one to focus on.
   
   Choose one goal to work on. It would be nice if you could stop smoking, lose weight, start exercising, and quit biting your nails all at once, but that's not realistic. Your subconscious can only handle so much change at once.
   
   
4. Write down why you want to achieve that goal.
   
   What are the reasons and motivations you have for the realization of that desire? Why do you want to eat healthier? Is it to feel better, live a longer life, or to continue to be there for someone close to you? Get detailed because this is your driving force, your power for change.
   
   
5. Write down the steps you need to take to accomplish your desire.
   
   Under each step, note down micro-steps. For instance, to lose weight, you could write, "Diet." But what does that mean? Eat more fruits and vegetables, eliminate sweets, reduce calories or carbohydrates or simply eat less at each meal? You could then decide on various meals to prepare or foods to have on hand.
   
   
6. Be willing to do whatever is necessary to attain your goal.
   
   That is, within reason, legal and moral. You may have to do things that stretch you out of your comfort zone, or that are difficult in the short term. But keep your attention on why you want it, and your subconscious will take your commitment and make it easier to reach.
   
   
7. Read your reasons and goal out loud at least three times a day.
   
   This will help keep you energized and enthusiastic. Reading your goal keeps your subconscious focused on what you want. Visualize that you've accomplished it, and affirm that you have achieved it. You may not know how it's going to come about, but your subconscious knows just what to do.
   
   
8. Take some action towards your goal each day.
   
   Even if it’s the same thing you did yesterday, take one of the micro-steps you've chosen. This helps to convince your subconscious that you really do want the goal, and aren't just daydreaming about it. And the action also sends out energy to attract what you may need to manifest your goal.
   
   
9. If you reach a dead end, ask the Universe for guidance.
   
   You're not in this all by yourself. At any point, from setting the goal to its actual manifestation, ask the Universe for direction and be open for any impulses or nudges.
   
   
10. Be grateful for the fulfillment of your goal.
    
    You can have what you desire, through the power of your Higher Mind. Even before you see the completion in your life, you have received it. Thanking the Universe for Its help, guidance and success of your desire communicates to your subconscious. The subconscious uses the power of that emotion, and the feeling of conclusion to create your desire.

Answer: When a person is affirming about several different areas of their life, the subconscious may get overwhelmed. They'll have slight improvement in most areas, and more improvement in areas that aren't so charged with emotion. It'll take much longer to get the desired results in any one area if you work on so many. I'd recommend that you focus on one area.