“The truth is always a good turning point.” As a life coach and leadership speaker, that’s a line I use a lot these days with my clients who ask, “How do I change my life?”

I learned the value of this idea — facing the truth about our current lives — a decade ago after surviving a dramatic car accident in a third-world country. To this day, I vividly remember the moment I physically pulled myself free from the twisted metal of the wreckage — because it was also the moment I emerged from the emotional depression that had recently destroyed my life. I remember standing on the crumpled hood of the car, looking down at my bloodied body, then up to the heavens. That was it. That was the moment. That was when I realized that I had received “life’s golden ticket”— a second chance, and an invitation to start my life anew. I quickly accepted the invitation by taking a good hard look at my life and facing the truth about where I was and where I wanted to be. That exercise was a turning point in my life.

Fast-forward 10 years and I’ve now coached and interviewed hundreds of people who have made dramatic transformations in their lives. I’ve learned that people who consistently grow and succeed are those who face their life’s reality head-on and take focused action to shape their destiny.

Now that the summer is rolling around — and your New Year’s resolutions are likely either accomplished or long forgotten — it might be a good time to take stock of your own life by examining the following six, straightforward statements. I call these statements “transformation truths” because, if internalized and acted upon, they can dramatically change your life.

Transformation Truth No. 1: Either you're truly moving forward or you aren’t.
We were all born to move forward: to crawl, to walk, to run, to grow, to push ourselves diligently toward our destinies and dreams. Unfortunately, many of us have let our fears and the need for safety weigh us down. We’ve stopped taking the leaps and chances needed to get us closer to the life we desire. Tragically, too many of us have settled into jobs that lead nowhere, relationships that sink our spirits, and habits that hold us back. To prevent that and become more focused, ask yourself these simple questions on a regular basis: Am I charging ahead in life, standing still, or falling behind? Am I truly moving toward my dreams, or am I simply conning myself into believing that I’m just “waiting for the right time to make my move”? What do I need to do today to boldly start moving forward in life?

Transformation Truth No.2: Either you’re doing work you truly enjoy or you aren’t.
Most of us know that our life’s purpose is more than just a paycheck, and that a life of meaning is not limited to a life of means. Yet many of us suffer the self-imposed misery of doing unfulfilling work simply to make ends meet. Is your job something that you whole-heartedly enjoy? Do you get happily lost in your work on a regular basis and feel like you’re truly growing, contributing, and making a difference? If you cannot answer with a resounding “Yes!”, then you know it’s time for a change. It’s time to take action.

Transformation Truth No.3: Either you're truly being yourself or you aren’t.
Each day we have a choice to make: Will we live authentically or adaptively? When we choose to be authentic, we show the world our raw, unpainted, genuine self. We act in accordance with our convictions and we openly share our personality and passions with other people. Living like this makes us feel alive, connected, and “real.” Unfortunately, many of us choose instead to adapt to the world the way a chameleon does, changing our true colors in order to blend in. Living like this makes us feel hollow and disconnected. It makes us avoid ourselves in the mirror and creates a repeating whimper in our minds: “Please stop acting this way; it’s not the real you, and there’s someone special in here waiting to be let out.” How are you living your life? Do you show the world who you really are, or do you put on a facade in order to fit in and be accepted? That answer probably says a lot about how you feel on a regular basis.

Transformation Truth No.4: Either your relationships are truly supporting you or they aren’t.
The quality of our lives is shaped by the quality of our relationships. Indeed, the people in our lives who treat us with kindness, respect, honesty, and understanding have the ability to lift us to our highest heights. On the flip side, those who mistreat us, disrespect us, lie to us, neglect us, or abuse us often have the power to pull us down into the depths of despair. Think about the people surrounding you: your family members, friends, coworkers, neighbors, acquaintances, romantic interest. Are any of these people holding you back from being your best? Are any of them making you feel small, stupid, unworthy, unloved, or uncared for? If so, who are they? Now the important part: Why in the world would you allow these people in your life, and what are you doing right now to surround yourself with supportive and inspiring people?

Transformation Truth No.5: Either you truly believe in yourself or you don’t.
It turns out that sometimes the most toxic relationship we ever get into is the one with ourselves. We beat ourselves up, call ourselves names, point out our faults, and question our own worthiness of love and happiness. On the other hand, our relationship with ourselves can be healthier and friendlier. We can take pride in our efforts and achievements, acknowledge our strengths, and reaffirm that we are worthy of a good life. So what kind of relationship do you have with yourself? Are you your own worst enemy or your best friend? Are the thoughts playing in your head hurtful or helpful? Are you lifting yourself or tearing yourself down and what is the result in your life?

Transformation Truth No.6: Either you’re truly stepping up or you’re backing down.
Every day we are presented with circumstances that test our mettle. The question is, how do you face life’s challenges?Do you hide under the sheets or seize the day? Do you run away from your fears or charge at them head-on? Do you avoid your problems or knock them off one by one? Those that dramatically transform their lives refuse to shrink from anyone or anything. They choose to stand up and speak up in life even when it feels like the hardest thing in the world to do. So how about you? Do you choose to stand up or back down? Do you make your presence known? Have you shared your thoughts and feelings and declared what you want in life? Have you fought for your dreams and done it consistently enough to create the life you’ve always wanted?

If any of these truths made you see the light or feel the heat, then we’re off to a good summer start. Tune in next week when I reveal the seventh truth. In the meantime, I hope you always find the strength to face your life, to boldly walk up to the gates to possibility, ticket in hand, and claim the life you’ve always deserved.