For most people, this time of year is when they can “officially” ‘put the year’s crap behind them’ and start over (those aren’t my words, I’m just paraphrasing what I hear).  It’s a new beginning – a celebratory mark where they promise themselves a list of what they are going to do different starting January 1 (insert year here); AKA “The New Year’s Resolution.”

I no longer believe in this tradition.  I used to, and like everyone else, would promise to do something, to change this and that and by March or April it would fall by the wayside.  The excuses would pile up again and before you know it, summer has come and gone and it’s time to work on changing things ‘next year’ because “well, this year is almost over”.

YES – THAT’S HOW FAST YOUR YEAR GOES.

And, it’s a continuous cycle – for me, forty years of continuous New Years’ resolutions passed by.

WOW!  Four – Zero

before I actually COMMITTED to changing my life!!!

But at the same time, my wife and I don’t commit to New Year’s resolutions in the normal sense because we think waiting a full year to TRY and make a change is absurd.  I think it gives people another excuse to hide behind when they don’t take any action.

SO THAT BRINGS ME TO OUR YEAR-END ‘LIST’

To us, New Years is a time when we can look back at our accomplishments, it’s a time when we celebrate our wins.

It’s a way of keeping ourselves in check with what we are out to accomplish.  We think looking back and seeing the progress is far better than ‘wishing’ and making false promises to ourselves because honestly we have never kept up those promises in the past.  But now, since our shift in 2005, we have come miles ahead of ‘promises’ we made twenty years ago.

HERE IS WHAT WE DO

1. We Congratulate Ourselves. We truly are so proud of what WE’ve done to change our own lives as well as the lives of other people we ‘pat ourselves on the back’.  Throughout the year no matter what ANYONE says (the dream-stealers), we are constantly supporting each other’s dreams.  It’s time for us to stand proud and feel good about who we are!!!
2. We Are Grateful:  Be grateful for what you have, about the positive things in your life while you ignore what you DON’T have.  Focusing on what you don’t have will just attract more of the same; continue saying “I don’t have enough time”, “I don’t have enough money” and you will remain on that same path.  It’s that simple.
3. We Tell Everyone Our Dreams: We have achieved success because we don’t keep our mouths shut anymore.  We announce to the world what we have done, and what we need to accomplish so we can make a positive impact in the world.  Many people do not do this because they are afraid what people will think, (cocky, crazy, selfish whatever).
4. We Spend Time with True Friends:  I’m not one to try and impress anyone.  I am who I am and people like me and my family for whom we are, not what we can pretend to be.  This has created some truly great friendships and business partnerships you cannot imagine.  During the holidays we slow down, unplug and have fun laughing at all the times we’ve shared with people we love hanging around.  Trying to invite or visit people we don’t see all year or gel with makes no sense ‘just because it’s Christmas’.
5. We Give Back:  This by far is the most important of all. We used to think this meant ‘cash donation’ and although we are in a better position to do more of that, we continue to do what may seem ‘small’ to us, but is HUGE for the receiver.  Paying it forward has become a staple in our lives and when you can do a small gesture every day or even once a week, your life becomes more fulfilling.

So when you see or chat with me, start off by acknowledging something that is great in your life, what you are HAPPY for, in fact, try it with everyone you meet.  You will see how many more people want to have you as their friend.

Have a wonderful holiday and I’ll see you on the other side of a positive 2011.