How To Make This Your Best Year Yet

You've probably made resolutions, yes? Just like you made themnlast year? Did you keep all the resolutions you made last year? Did you achieve all the goals you set out to achieve? If not, donyou plan to do things differently this year? I hope so. Questionnis, do you know *what* to do differently? You've probably heard the saying that 'if you keep doing thensame things you'll keep getting the same results.' So if youndesire different results this year, you've got to do thingsndifferently. If not, you'd qualify to be called 'insane'naccording to a school of thought that defines insanity asn'doing the same things but expecting different outcomes'. Here are 10 things you should be doing if you desire to seenyour resolutions or goals manifest this year.nn1. Know who you are. Quit focusing on outward things, which are really reflections ofnwhat goes on inside your mind. You are not your body. You are notnyour possessions. You are a spirit being made in God's image. You body houses the real you. Your natural state is perfect health andnabundance. If your current (outward) reality does not reflect this,nit is because you have let your circumstances control your life. Knowing and acknowledging who you really are, and the implicationsnof this Truth, and meditating on what it means, will put you in anposition to cause your physical reality to reflect your true inne reality: perfect health, joy and abundance.nn2. Define clearly what you desire. Do not limit yourself here. I have not asked you to decide what younthink you can have or what you think you deserve or what your mama thinksnyou should have. I am suggesting here, that you should state whatn*you* would like to be, do and have, which you don't have right now. Use your imagination - that's what it's there for. Younhave an open cheque, so to speak. Fill it in with what you choose. This is why you are told to 'Ask for whatsoever you desire...'. Let that desire be clear in your mind.nn3. Believe that what you desire is *already here*. Everything in this world is energy. Energy cannot be created norndestroyed, but can be transformed from one form to another - ifnyou took Physics classes you'll be familiar with this statement. Well here's a real-life application of this law. Everything you desire, everything you could ever possibly wishnfor, already exists! It simply exists in intangible form, waitingnfor to do what you need to do in order to change it to itsnmaterial version. You know how water can change from steam tonliquid to solid (ice)? Different forms, same substance. Same thing applies to your desires. Believe this, and you'renfortifying your 'power positioning'. This is why you are told to '...believe that you receive what younask for, and you shall have it...' You will learn more about this and the other tips in this articlenin subsequent issues of this newsletter.nn4. Practice daily gratitude for what you desire. Being thankful for something before you receive it strengthens you faith, and keeps your mind focused on the object of your gratitude. Benefit: what you focus on is what you get (according to the 'Lawnof Attraction'.). An attitude of gratitude also puts into motion thenLaw of action and reaction - when you give thanks to God for alreadyngranting you what you've asked for, you trigger a response from Himntowards you - 'whatsoever you desire'.nn5. Practice genuine forgiveness. Here's what we're trying to do: cause the thing you desire to benattracted to you. Unforgiveness, grudges, malice, hatred, doubts andnfear are examples of things that cause resistance and block the flownof that which you desire. So if you've got a grudge against someone,nor a feeling of resentment, even if they've wronged you, forgive them. Do this for *you*. I love this saying "harbouring resentment ornunforgiveness against someone is like you drinking poison and waitingnfor the other person to die." So true. The only person to lose innthis scenario is you. So just let go. Let them be. Let the blessingsnhave a f*r*E*E, unobstructed channel to flow to you.nn6. Practice genuine love. Love everyone, whether you feel like it or not. Treat everyonenexactly how you'dlike to be treated. As Og Mandino puts it in 'The Greatest Salesman In The World',nwhen you meet or come across someone today, think to yourselfn'I love you' - send everyone thoughts of love, whether or not younknow them. Then relate to everyone with genuine love. Not sure whatnthat means? Real love means treating others with kindness, patience,nrespect, belief in the best, not envious, rejoicing when others do well,nnot self-seeking, and thinking only good thoughts towards others. Treat everyone this way unconditionally and your 'power positioning'nbecomes the strongest it could possibly be.nn7. Practice genuine detachment. Don't be attached to anything or anyone. When you forgive and lovenpeople, don't do it expecting them to treat you the same way innreturn. Do it because it's in your best interest to do so. Do itnknowing that you will receive, though not necessarily from the onesnyou've given to. Trust that God will see to it that you get wellncompensated for everything you give. If you're a business owner, I hope you see how this principle alonentakes away any fear or pressure you may feel when prospecting ornmarketing your business. If you're an employee, think how much more fun your job will benwhen you give it your best shot, not for your boss to notice,nbut because you know that God will reward you (with 'whatsoeve you desire'), simply because of the good seed you're sowing allnaround you.nn8. Practice daily sowing - Take ACTION. Taking the right action positions you to receive what you desire andnbelieve you'll receive. That's why it's important to know what you desire in the first place. When you do, then you'll know which steps to take to help you getnthere. With your mind set the right way (see tips 1 to 7 above), you have ansolid foundation to base your actions on. The right actions, that is. Note that the right action means doing the things that move you close to your goal, to the very best of your ability. Even if it's notnapparent how something contributes to your goal (eg your current jobnmay not have any immediate bearing to your desired goal), do everythingnthe best way you know how. When all your actions are successful, theynadd up to a successful life.nn9. Practice daily giving. Give something of yourself everyday. Start each day determined to addnvalue to someone's life. Everything you give is a seed sown, and younwill reap it in multiples. It's a Universal Law - nothing you can donabout it:). If you desire financial abundance, be a regular giver tonthose that are less fortunate, or to your church or other place ofnspiritual support. Give, not because you expect back from the personnyou're giving to, but because you know that the supply is limitlessnand in giving you receive from God. And here's a 'secret': thenvery act of giving, sends a message to your subconscious mind thatn'I have'. Remember, you attract what your subconscious mind dwells on. So by being a habitual giver, your predominant subconscious mindsetnis 'I have', and you attract more of that which you give. When you don'tngive because you're afraid you won't have enough, you send the messagento your subconscious mind that 'I don't have enough', and you attractnmore lack as a result of your fear. Super tip: start your 'giving' habit by sending this email to at leastnone person you know - this information may be just what they need.nn10. Practice Proactive Health Maintainance. Your body is the only one you've got. None of your goals matter if it'snin poor shape. Look after the temple you've been blessed with. Onenremarkable thing about the human body is that anytime you treat itnthe way God intended, it rewards you with an amazing degree of health,nenergy, vitality (side effects: good body weight, incredible self-nesteem), and it displays the ability to heal itself as well. So take care of your body. Treat it with respect. First becomenhealth-conscious. Then follow that up with the right actions -nhealthy, balanced diet; cellular nutrition with quality supplementation;nregular, moderate exercise. Bonus tip: Commit to lifelong learning. Ever heard that 'leaders are readers' orn'ea ers are learners'? Both statements are true. Study personal developmentnmaterial, study material about your chosen field of endeavour, studynthe Bible, study, study, study. Spend quality time each day studying andnmeditating on what you learn. You can only become a better humannbeing by learning and applying what you learn. Think you need discipline to achieve what you desire? You bet you will! But consider this: which price would you rather pay? The 'price' ofndiscipline, or the price of regret? Whatever 'discipline' you reqiurenis short-term, with long-term benefits, unlike regret, which lasts longnafter the fact. If you go through the above list again, you'll realize that the area younneed to discipline really is your thoughts. If you can control you thoughts and keep them on the right things, everything else will fallnin place. So that's what you need to work on more than anything elsenthis year. Go for it - you deserve it, and you can do it (refuse to think different). Best wishes to you.