Happy New Year!

2009 is here... Happy New Year! Setting new year's resolutions dates back 4000 years to Babylonian times. It's interesting that throughout the ages using this time for renewal and reflection has remained pretty much the same.

I frequently use an exercise in my work designed to capture what life will be like once you're living your ideal life. Building your dream life in your mind requires getting in touch with your most creative self, your sense of power and inspiration. The possibilities are endless when we dare to suspend judgment. This mindset provides fuel to make the changes in your life you might otherwise deem impossible.

It's one thing to create this rich inner life in our thoughts and quite another to take the challenging steps to make it a reality. So how do we attain this? We need confidence in ourselves, knowledge that we are capable and competent regardless of what others say, grace to speak up and stand up for ourselves, faith, and the patience to spend a few minutes every day in the direction of our goals. Remaining positive is important too. Do you recognize the difference between the following two goal statements:

1. I would like to get a better job.
2. I have a great job that challenges me and pays an excellent salary.

They're both positive, but which one would you prefer to realize in your life?

To achieve success, the key is to tackle your goals in very small steps. We often try to tackle big projects and come up short when time and energy get the better of us. Taking tiny steps moves you slowly and surely in the direction of that which you desire.

So, instead of making big resolutions this year, make a couple of little ones. It's amazing how confident we feel when we accomplish even the smallest tasks. Completing 99% of a significant goal will often leave you feeling worthless as you might feel that only 100% will do. Take it easy on yourself and make your goals for 2009 easy, so easy that it becomes impossible to fail. Developing the skills to set small goals that build together over time, builds competence and is essential in creating the life you want by achieving and maintaining a healthy level of self-esteem and confidence.

For a fun twist to making New Year's resolutions, try making a Vision Board, recently made popular by the book and movie, 'The Secret' and based on the Law of Attraction, which states that what you you focus on is attracted into your life.

What resolutions have you made for 2009? Drop me a line. I'd love to hear from you!