Here we are again, starting a new year with a clean slate. I love this time of year because it has all the hope of a new beginning and the opportunity to recreate ourselves one more time. I find this a very optimistic time and enjoy setting an intention each new year. The concept of creating our resolutions thrills me as I am relentless about self improvement and welcome every opportunity to map out a beautiful future.

And as the time honored tradition goes, we all make our resolutions. Whether we do this just in our heads, or on paper, we start the year with fervent hopes for what we want and what we want to become. Maybe it's a creative impulse that you want to manifest--learn a new instrument, take a dance class, create something out of clay. Maybe it's a health concern--stop smoking, eat right, exercise daily. Maybe it's a financial goal--create more wealth, get our estate in order, give more to charity. Whatever our desires, we have the little acorns ready to be planted right now.

In years past, I didn't really get how to do it. I would make an annual (also a daily, weekly, monthly) resolution to lose weight, but it never ended up happening. Why? Well, there were definitely blockages of the mental variety. There was also the physical addiction to sugar, (which I've heard is harder to kick than heroin-not the severity of the symptoms, but in the addictive nature. Also not helping matters is that sugar is in nearly everything.) But there was something that just didn't add up. Wanting is not the same as doing.

As I've written in previous articles, something finally clicked. I'm well on my way to achieving the health goals I've longed for as well as figuring out the keys to self improvement on all levels.

So how can we turn this 'fervent hope' into tangible results? Well, the first thing to do is take time for reflection. The beginning of the year is a great time for this because the weather is gray, it's warm inside, we may have a little down time. Start by looking inward and write out exactly what you want in life from 2008. Frame these wants in the affirmative and present tense, as if they are already happening for you. This will begin to train your brain to understand that all things are possible. ('I am shedding unnecessary fat at a healthy rate and will continue to do so until I am at my ideal weight.')

The next step to achieving your goals is to figure out where you are being drained. This could be an innocent drain. . .maybe your grandmother sends you chocolates. Maybe your group of friends smoke. If you're trying to slim down or stop smoking, these are potential spots where you are going to be sabotaged. Expressing your intention to these people will allow them to assist you in your quest.

Connecting emotion to what you're doing gives you an added depth and strengthens your resolve. By focusing on what you will have when you achieve your goal (for example, the happiness you will experience when you have that new career, or the good feelings you will experience when you start doing volunteer work), you will anchor these good feelings to the task at hand making it more probable that you will succeed.

And lastly, the power of visualization is highly underrated. Imagine yourself as the size you want to be. Visualize your bank account increasing. This is the very core of intention and self actualization. As always, be grateful for what you already have, and for what will come to you as a result of your conscious effort.

Happy New Year.