Well here comes January 2011 – a new decade is right around the corner – I am very excited! I love that we can reset and learn from what worked and what didn’t and move forward. I achieved many of my goals that I set for myself last year – and there were some that I did not, that’s okay. I believe that a new year holds promise of positive change. I am grateful for all the lessons learned, experiences and fantastic new people that have come into my life in 2010.

Have you set New Year’s resolutions yet? Or are you going to not bother because they don’t work anyway?

Well here’s the thing – most people that set resolutions every year experience some form of failure and I believe that it is because they focus only on one level of their life. The DO level. It’s the DO-HAVE-BE model. “I will DO this thing.” (i.e., Lose weight) “So I can HAVE this other thing” (Self-Esteem) and I can BE this thing. (Confident.)

But those resolutions lack attention to the core of the issue – the “BE” level.

The best order for creating positive changes in your life is the BE-DO-HAVE model. I believe that anyone can change and we are meant to! This means change starts from the BE level. When you begin changing on the BE level of your life, then the DO level and the HAVE level follow more easily. When you start only on the DO level, then all the blocks on the BE level will often become the obstacles you can’t overcome.

So try this out for this year, pick a word that will guide you throughout the year. This will be your touchstone and remind yourself to live your life at your BE level. This doesn’t mean that you don’t take action, it means that your actions will be inspired from the BE level.

Look through the list below if you need some guidance. Get quiet over the next few days. And pick a word for the year. Just one word, that’s all. Then, hold that word in your mind throughout the year, and let your word guide you to take action.

So I will give you an example. Let’s say that you are one of many people who want to have more money. Let’s take one of the examples from below and you choose ‘Wealth’. But you look at your own situation and see debt, no savings or financial plan. You’re tired of the chaos and stress. So, you think, “I need to increase my wealth – that should be my Resolution this year.”

You decide to try it. You sit with your debt and no plan. You spend a few days pondering words that will inspire you. You realize in an “Ah-Ha!” moment that you tend to make excuses and beat yourself up for letting your money situation get to this. You’re scared to let go of the familiar. So you choose the word “Compassion” because it inspires you in a bigger way than “Get Wealthy.”

So, every time you approach your finances, remind yourself of that word. “Compassion,” you say softly. You start to let your old money habits go and realize that the past doesn’t equal the future. Eventually, you realize that you’re still holding on to lots more than just poor money management. You realize that you hold onto resentments of your old ways. “Compassion,” you remind yourself. You realize that holding on is affecting your health. “Compassion” applies to some of the extra weight you’ve gained as well. Throughout the year, you can see clearly how much you hold on. “Compassion” is your touchstone. It grows in you throughout the year. It becomes your guiding force, not your harsh standard.

Your money habits became your teacher simply because you shifted your intent towards it. This wouldn’t have happened if you’d opted only to “Get Wealthy.”

So what word should you choose? You may have one that resonates with you immediately, or maybe you need to reflect for a while.

Here are some words below, as you read through them see if one stands out for you. It may be tempting to choose four or five, believing that you can do it all! (Or that you’re too messed up to narrow your flaws down to one helpful word!) I recommend that if you can’t choose just one, narrow it down to no more than three.

One is ideal. It gives you focus. If you master that one word, you can choose another one in June!

Have a Prosperous New Year (by Intention!)

(PS – my word for 2011 is “Abundance”… Last year it was “Believe” and it got me through the challenging times and celebrating the great ones! <and there were many!>)