Your identity determines your actions. Focusing on 'doing' before 'being' is like putting the cart before the horse.

When the Pyramids in Egypt were built, did the Pharaohs tell the workers to just start stacking stones? No. First they came up with a design for the structures: their size, shape and outward appearance, the number of chambers as well as their dimensions and locations within.

With this in place, they could then reverse engineer the project to determine the necessary steps to take. Centuries later this principle is still followed by homebuilders, creating blueprints long before they ever break ground.

The same principle applies to us as individuals. A "To-Be" list empowers you to take control of your own life, living based on your personal beliefs and decisions rather than allowing others to define who you are and to dictate how to live your life. It serves as a guide in deciding what you choose to do and affects how others see you and respond to you.

Just like the approach used by the Pharaohs, it's a case of designing your personal blueprint and then developing an action plan that outlines the necessary steps to take in order to reach your desired goal.

For example:

To Be: physically fit and healthy
To Do: develop a healthy diet plan, reduce your sugar intake, drink more water, cut back on caffeine, ensure you get enough restful sleep to recharge your body, go to the gym regularly, consult a personal trainer, develop an exercise regimen, invite a friend to partner with you for mutual support

To Be: a good, warm, loyal, caring friend
To Do: stay in regular contact with those who matter to you and you want in your life, make the time to get together, show that you value having them in your life, be more understanding and accepting of how their personality differs from your own, make the effort to see things from their perspective

The good news is that getting started is quite easy, and you can start right away.

Step 1
Prepare your To-Be list at the beginning of the week. Identify your desired "to be's" and then make a list of corresponding "to-do's" that support your desired goals.

Step 2
Maintain a 'Success Journal' and record all instances (big and small) where you consciously applied yourself in ways that reinforced your "to-be's"

Step 3
Track your success by reviewing your efforts at the end of each week. Give yourself a pat on the back for each action you took that supported your "to-be's" This acknowledgement serves as motivation to keep yourself on track.

Step 4
Identify any areas where you were less successful. Evaluate your "to-be's" to ensure that they accurately reflect your desired goals. Modify accordingly and make any necessary changes to the associated "to-do's" Remember to be specific with your words, as different words carry different energies.

And above all, have fun with this. You're doing this for you, so you may as well enjoy it.