It’s that time again--when many of us think about setting new goals and making New Year Resolutions. Let’s do things differently this year! #1) Choose a “Theme for the Year” instead of making a List of 10 Resolutions: Over the last few years, my wife, Elaine, and I have found that choosing a single “Theme for the Year” is much easier to remember and easier to “stick with” than the traditional list of New Year Resolutions. For example, for 2008, Elaine has chosen “Health” as her theme and I’ve chosen “Roots” (as I want to reconnect and learn more about my Greek heritage). Over the course of the year, we each will seek to align our life and work-related activities with our theme. #2) Connect with others: Don’t do it alone! There is power in sharing your “New Year Theme” so that others can connect with and support you. And make sure that you return regularly to PeopleJam.com for inspirational stories and life skills to help you with your personal development throughout 2008 and beyond! #3) Don’t be a "Prisoner of Your Thoughts": In my book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts, I demonstrate how we often work against even our best intentions and introduce a principle, “Don’t Work Against Yourself,” that is based on the concept and technique of “paradoxical intention.” In this regard, I urge you to look for the deeper meaning behind your New Year Resolutions (e.g., losing weight, stop smoking, ...) versus fixating on or obsessing with all the steps to achieve them. Have a successful and meaningful 2008 by choosing a theme, connecting with others, and, of course, not being a “prisoner of your thoughts!”

(c) 2007 Alex Pattakos, Ph.D.