“I believe that if you think about disaster, you will get it.  Brood about death and you hasten your demise.  Think positively and masterfully, with confidence and faith, and life becomes more secure, more fraught with action, richer in achievement and experience.”

-Edward V. Rickenbacker

Yesterday as the 2012 waved hello and introduced itself to the world, the auspiciousness of what could be in the next 366 (leap year!) infused me with child-like giddiness. While some may scoff at writing down resolutions and immediately throw up their hands in defeat, I feel this is one of the many times throughout the year to be clear about our path, and the life we want to create, or continue creating, for ourselves. As Steve Covey reminds in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (page 129), each one of us is the programmer of our lives and it only once we realize this that we can create the life we desire.

So, in accepting and stepping into the role of being our very own ideal life curators, what do you want your life to look like?  Quiet, yet challenging or chaotic and restless? What do you want to feel in your being as you go about your day? Contentment, hope or frustration and fear? And what energy do you want to project into the world and others around you? Happiness and ease or cynicism and dread?

Initially, these appear to be simple questions to answer (and I highly suggest, you begin by answering these questions first before writing down in ink your resolutions), but once you are certain about your responses, the tough part is knowing how to help them come into fruition.

Let’s break down each question:

What do you want your life to look like?

In order to answer this question, you must know yourself.  You must know what environments fill you up and which deplete you. For me, I need clean, organized, serene places, balanced with occasional energetic outings. Ultimately, to be productive, my home and my workplace need to be free of clutter so there is room for the people, ideas and opportunities to be welcomed inside.

Once you know what your life should look like, you need to be strong enough to edit. Adding and subtracting those things, people and jobs that are contributing or hindering your progress.

What do you want to feel in your being as you go about your day?

Once you narrow in on the feelings you want to create – intimacy, security, hope, optimism, contentment would be a few of mine – then mold your behavior.  In other words, you will have to very conscious of the words and actions you display.  This is where we must reel in our ego and not say everything that comes to mind.  This is where we must acquire self-confidence and toss aside self-doubt.

What energy do you want to project into the world and upon others around you?

This question will come somewhat naturally once the first two questions are dealt with appropriately to achieve your desired results. When you are content with the life you are leading, once you are honest with what truly gives you joy and pleasure, fulfillment and hope, your energy will naturally be more intoxicating and inviting to others.

Each one of us has so much potential and at the same time, each one of us will create a uniquely different life than those around us, yet it is possible to be content and not jealous as long as we follow our inner yearnings and not those dictated to us by the outside world – thus creating a simply luxurious life.

So as you begin 2012, go within yourself, get quiet, and ask yourself these three simple questions (and before you write any of the answers down, be able to explain to yourself why you want what you think you want. In other words, make sure you are be authentic and not a puppet.)

Then proceed to write down your resolutions, breaking them down to smaller steps and then checking on them periodically each month (maybe each week).

I wish you great success because I know it is possible. Have patience with yourself, but be stern with yourself as well. After all, each of us is the programmer – what life will you design?

Image: TSLL IG