A novel modification of the variational iteration method (VIM) is proposed by means of the Sumudu transform. This approach is a universal way to identify the multiplier, which is simple and effective, and successfully extended to ordinary differential equations, including the nonlinear and variable coefficient ones. The Lagrange multiplier can be easily identified by the Sumudu transform and the nonlinear term will be handled by the Adomian series. Examples are given to elucidate the process and the reliability of the method.