The Tribune

By MICHELLE MILLER

Once again, here we grow: We are on the cusp of the ending of 2013 and the exciting arrival of 2014. This is the blissful cycle of life; when one-phase ends and another simultaneously begins.

Indeed, the year 2013 for many was a year of power and purpose, while for others it was a year of much pain and problems. But no matter what happened in 2013, it is on its way out and you are still here, you are still alive. This means that you still have a chance to make your life better.

The question is – will you resolve to evolve - will you make your resolution to develop real solutions that improve your life? Regrettably, most people will not. Yes, they grumble and complain all year long about problems and pain but are unwilling to change.

Wherever there is life, there is always hope, but hope in and of itself is not a strategy. Hope needs help. It needs a plan that directly improves your thinking in order to improve your life.

The dawning of a new year is always an exciting time. It is a radiant rainbow filled with vibrant possibilities. While many conform to the emotional fad of making a so-called new-year resolution, without a clear understanding of who you are, such resolutions will yield no meaningful results.

Opting instead to develop real solutions, which brings clarity and self-understanding, offers a loftier return on your investment of time and effort. Such solutions require courage and commitment. You must unravel the quality of your thinking.

Action and behaviour always follow thoughts. Thus, to change behaviour, you must first change the way you think. This habit of mind discipline is not an easy feat. It is a tedious process to move consistently towards higher thoughts. Yet, it is worth its valiant effort. There is no power greater than the power of a disciplined mind.

A key reason why those fad-based new year’s resolutions are so often left by the wayside undeveloped is the lack of discipline. People lack a capacity to change their thinking. It is a folly to think that you can produce a new result without new thinking.

Stale, stagnant thinking can only produce stale, stagnant results. Einstein said it best – ‘you cannot solve a problem at the same level of thinking with which we created them.’

If your thinking does not change, your old habits will reclaim their place in your mind. This is why many quickly find themselves back in that old comfortable spot in the parking lot of the status quo. They continue to harbour old negative thinking and refuse to think something new. This is like pouring new wine into an old wineskin.

Despite all this, the birth of a new year is an awesome time to declare and decree your intentions for your life. Speaking with authority, using positive words to set your desires for your life is an enormous first step. But it is only part of the process. You must develop real solutions that allow you to follow through.

Moreover, although new-year resolutions have in many respects, become a sort of wishy-washy fad; do not lose sight of the fact that a resolution in the true meaning of the word has enormous, positive value. It refers to the quality of being determined or resolute in making a decision to do or not do something.

When constructed with sincerity and meaning a resolution empowers you to take certain steps towards a desired outcome. Those fad-crazed resolutions fail because their focus is about being fashionable, rather than faithful.

I believe that 2014 is destined as a year to unleash your power to reach even higher. However, this potent possibility is only available to those who are willing to challenge their thinking. James Allen said, ‘You are now where your thoughts have brought you and you will be tomorrow wherever your thoughts take you’.

For this reason, you must clarify your thinking and develop positive steps that take you higher. Make it your resolution to set loftier goals for your life. Goals have enormous power to keep you grounded and focused on what matters most.

Without goals, life has no sense of direction. You are not born to drift aimlessly. Rather, you are born to direct and navigate life with confidence.

The burden of aimlessness is a vice. The power is in you. You are the thinker who thinks the thoughts that make the things Find the courage to harness your power.

As you bid farewell to 2013, it is my hope that you will welcome 2014 with an open heart and a mind filled with endless possibilities.

Make today the day that you take the lead to develop real solutions that enable you to become a better person, no - not better than anybody else, just better than you use to be.

Getting better builds an attitude of gratitude. Remember, the power already lies within - muster the audacity to unleash your power so that you can take your life even higher.

Now is the perfect time to shift your life paradigm.

• If you are seeking to set loftier goals for 2014 please send email loftiergoals@gmail.com. Your feedback has great value; please write to coaching242@yahoo.com or text 429-6770. Michelle M. Miller is a certified Life-Coach, Leadership Expert, and Host of the Radio program – Men & The e-Factor. www.taketheleadbook.com