To truly live is to grow, how can you grow in 2017?

A lot of people prefer to avoid New Years Eve celebrations and shun the idea of New Years Resolutions. I am not in this group. I love celebrating the end of one year and welcoming in the next. For me, the New Year is an opportunity to wipe the slate clean, to start fresh. Resolutions are a way to remind myself to stay on track and assess where I would like my life to go.

Maybe the word resolution is too loaded and makes you shy away from the idea of making change. Maybe it makes you think that you have to give something up. Instead, how about New Years Declaration, or New Years Purpose? Maybe it doesn't have to be about giving something up but about taking steps toward a larger goal. Here are a few ways to stay the course.

• Personally, I have a lot of goals for 2017. Some are large, some are small. A good way to keep perspective and not get overwhelmed is to set quarterly goals. Some of what I am working on will take time, but I need to have strong roots in place to achieve the growth I desire. I need to carefully plant the seeds and tend to them along the way. 
• Another way to stay on track is to share your goals with friends and family. Encourage each other to persevere and hold each other accountable. Making change is not easy and we all need support along the way. Surround yourself with people who inspire you and embolden you to do your best. When you feel yourself falter, call on a loved one for help. Meet a friend for coffee and talk it out. To falter or fail is an opportunity to reassess. Ask for help!
• Keep track of successes, no matter how small. I know how easy it is to fall into the trap of self loathing.  I tend to beat myself up when I skip yoga for too long, make poor food choices or when a workshop I hold has low attendance. One way for me to get out of this downward spiral is to remind myself of things I have done well. I encourage you to document these successes. Changing mental framework takes time, repetition and diligence. The simple act of writing things down is a useful tool. 

Now get out there and kick some ass in 2017! For me that means growing my business, sticking to a budget, daily meditation and visiting family more. I'd would love to hear from you about YOUR goals for 2017! Share them on my Facebook page and we can ALL support EACH OTHER in being the best we can be for 2017 and beyond.