Ten Simple Things You Can Do to Make This Your Best Year Ever

1. Ignore your problems (at least temporarily). When you pour a lethal combination of worry and fear-based actions into solving your problems, all you get are bigger problems. Set them aside for a few minutes, hours or even days (if possible). Turn your attention towards something that makes you feel as relaxed and happy as possible under the circumstances. You'll likely find that the perfect solution pops into your head when you had your back turned.

2. Look for the good in someone who's hiding it. No one wants to be hated, no matter how they may act. Celebrate whatever good you can find. Remember that anger is passion turned inside out. Help others focus on what they want, and chances are good they'll help you, too. While you're at it, look for the good in yourself. You can't see in another what you can't find in yourself.

3. Visualize it. Think before you act this year. Picture what you want in your mind with as many details as possible. Make it happen first in your thinking. Then start talking about it, so you can hear it "from the horse's mouth." Watch how much easier it is to make it come alive in your life when you do this. Be sure to fast-forward to the results you hope to achieve, so you can see how others benefit from your dreams, too.

4. Think fun! Work is hard. Play is fun. No matter what you want to accomplish, find a way to keep it light and interesting. Ask yourself: "What would be fun to try?" or "How could I make this more fun to do?"

5. Work together. You are unique, and so is everyone else. Each person brings skills, talents, experience and interests to a project that are unduplicated by any other person. Take the time to see how much bigger or better things could be when the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts.

6. Enjoy yourself. No matter what you're doing, enjoy it. If you don't, you're just killing off your own energy. Even if you're doing chores, remind yourself of the results you're getting by doing them. It's your life. Treasure it, or watch days, months and years go down the drain.

7. Pick a role. Time for a change? Pick a new character quality to try. How does a patient person act? What would a funny person think about this situation? Where would a responsible person go for help with a problem? Study movie characters or co-workers for hints and ideas.

8. Listen to your inner voice. Every answer you need for the rest of your life can be found within yourself. No one knows you like you do, and no one else can supply exactly what you need. Take time every day to get quiet and ask your inner self what to do. Follow your instincts.

9. Smile. Take every chance you can, every day, to smile. Not only will you be healthier, but you will also help others be healthier when they smile back, because when you smile, you release endorphins. The average American child smiles 400 times a day. The average American adult smiles less than 15. By smiling at the people and things you have drawn into your life, you bless them by your attention, and you both grow stronger.

10. Intend the best. Pause for a brief second before any meeting or encounter, and form a clear intention about how you want it to go. This technique quickly makes chaos and trouble disappear. Expect the best, and you'll get it.

Robin L. Silverman teaches Fullistic Living(TM), so you can stop surviving and start thriving! www.robinsilverman.com