I’m not one of those New Age types that believe “it’s all meant to be” and that our lives have been scripted by an invisible hand. That kind of talk smacks of victim speak and fear (fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of not being good enough, fear of success). That kind of language also lacks any sense of personal responsibility and usually comes from people too afraid to get into the game. Sure, I believe that there’s a force of nature that comes into play when we least expect it (and most need it). But I also believe—deeply—that we were given free will and the power to make choices for a singular reason: to exercise them. I believe that we generally get from life what we give to life. I believe that good things happen to those willing to put in the effort and exercise the discipline, and make the sacrifices that personal and professional greatness requires—nay, demands. I’ve also found that actions have consequences and the more good things I do—through good old hard work—the more success I see. Life favors the devoted.

Not one of the uber-successful people I’ve worked with as a leadership coach got there without outworking everyone around them. While others were home watching TV or sleeping, these great ones—who have made their mark on the world and have added tremendous value to it—were up early, putting in the hours, showing life that they were dedicated to their dream. I’m not for a moment denying the importance of work-life balance and spending time with loved ones or caring for your inner life. I’ll be the first to stand for those values. All I’m saying is that behind extraordinary achievement you will always discover extraordinary effort—just a law of nature that hasn’t changed for a thousand years.

Ivan Seidenberg, the Chairman and CEO of Verizon, tells the following story: “My first boss was the building superintendent and I was a janitor. He watched me sweep floors and wash walls for almost a year before he mentioned I could get tuition for college if I got a job with the phone company. When I asked him why he waited so long, he said, ‘I wanted to see if you were worth it.’ ”

One of the clients that we’ve worked with to help develop employees who lead without title is Time Warner. The CEO, Dick Parsons, once observed: “My grandmother said, ‘Whatever a man soweth, that shall he also reap,’ and that was the best advice I ever got.”

So plant your seeds. Be spectacularly great at what you do. Wear your passion on your sleeve and hold your heart in the palm of your hand. And work hard. Really hard.

Hard work opens doors and shows the world that you are serious about being one of those rare—and special—human beings who use the fullness of their talents to do their very best.

Time truly is the stuff of life. This moment will never come again. Yes, with the seduction of distraction, it’s so easy to postpone doing those high-leverage activities that will really help you lead and win in your work. In so many ways, leadership is about blocking out the noise and having the discipline to concentrate your days on the few things that will make the most impact. (Warren Buffett said his No. 1 talent was his ability to focus.)

In my work as a leadership advisor to many of the superstars in business and organizations like Nike, FedEx and IBM, I’ve observed that the best time tacticians do the following things to get their exceptional results:

1. They Make Time to Think. While their competition is asleep, world-class leaders are up—and they’re not watching the news or reading the paper. They are thinking, planning and practicing. They are recording their goals, reconnecting to their missions and preparing to play at wow. The more time spent thinking and refining what’s most important, the more focused you’ll be at work.

2. They March to a Different Drumbeat. It takes a lot of courage to be your own person, but that’s part of what leadership’s all about—being comfortable in your own skin. So, the best leaders run their own races. They work and live in an unorthodox way. They are up earlier than most people. Rather than spending their lunch hour gossiping, criticizing and complaining, they are reading, working out or visualizing. Rather than listening to the radio on their morning commute, they are training their brains for excellence by consuming audiobooks and learning programs.

3. They Get That Peak Performance Is a Pulse. Top athletes understand that to play at their best, they must alternate periods of intense performance with periods of strategic renewal. They have an “onseason” where they deliver at world-class. And then they have an offseason where they renew, regenerate and refine their skills. The key to their genius is actually what they do in the offseason. The same applies to us. Each day, work hard, innovate and go the extra mile. Then pull back and recharge. Find ways to restore depleted energy and get your inspiration back. The next day you’ll be even stronger.

4. They are Ruthless with Distractions. Cell phones, mobile e-mail, and all the other cool and slick gadgets can cause massive losses in our creative output and overall productivity. They are wonderful servants, but they are terrible masters. And they’ve made a lot of people who could be doing world-class work addicted to being busy.

Build “technology-free zones” into your days. Three hours of focused time on the projects that will really add value and uplift your career are so much better than 10 hours where you are constantly being interrupted and taken off your focus. Allow technology to be a brilliant tool to help you lead more effectively, not a shiny distraction that ultimately causes you to waste your life on trivial things.

1. Remember that leadership isn’t about your position. It’s about your influence.

2. Get fit like a pro athlete.

3. Lift people up versus tearing people down.

4. Protect your good name. An impeccable reputation takes a lifetime to build. And 60 seconds to lose.

5. Surround yourself with positive, ethical people who are committed to excellence.

6. Remember that even a 1% daily innovation rate amounts to at least a 100% rate of innovation in 100 days.

7. Believe in your dreams (even when others laugh at them).

8. Measure your success, not by your net worth but by your self worth (and how happy you feel).

9. Take an intelligent risk every 24 hours. No try-No Win.

10. Read “Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist“.

11. Watch “Man on Wire“.

12. Regardless of your title at work, be a team builder.

13. Remember that business is all about relationships and human connections.

14. Say “please” more.

15. Say “thank you” more.

16. Know your Big 5: the five things that need to happen by the end of this year for you to feel its been your best year yet.

17. Read your Big 5 every morning while the rest of the world is asleep.

18. Read “As You Think“. At least twice this year.

19. Be willing to fail. It’s the price of greatness.

20. Focus less on making money and more on creating value.

21. Spend less, save more.

22. Leave everything you touch better than you found it.

23. Be the most positive person in every room you’re in.

24. Run your own race.

24. Stay true to your deepest values and best ideals.

25. Write a handwritten thank you note to a customer/friend/loved one every day.

26. When you travel, send love letters to your kids on hotel stationery. In time, they’ll have a rich collection to remember your travels by.

27. Read “Atlas Shrugged“.

28. Be a problem solver versus a trouble maker.

29. Rather than doing many things at mediocrity do just a few things-but at mastery.

30. Honor your parents.

31. Commit to doing great work-whether anyone notices it or not. It’s one of life’s best sources of happiness.

32. Give more than you receive (another of the truths of happiness).

33. Have your 1/3/5/10/25 years goals recorded on paper and review them weekly.

34. Be patient. Slow and steady wins the race. The only reason businesses that went from zero to a billion in a year or two get featured in magazines is because 99% of businesses require a lot more time to win.

34. Underpromise and then overdeliver.

35. See part of your job as “a developer of people” (whether you work in the boardroom or the mailroom).

36. Wear your heart on your sleeve. When people see you’re real, they’ll fall in love with you.

37. Be authentic versus plastic.

38. Read “The Alchemist“.

39. Remember that life wants you to win. So get out of your own way.

40. Consider that behind every fear lives your next level of growth (and power).

41. Eat less food.

42. Drink more water.

43. Rest when you need to.

44. Read “SUCCESS” magazine.

45. Write your eulogy and them live your life backwards.

46. Demand the best from yourself.

47. Remember that the more you go to your limits, the more your limits will expand.

48. See everything that happens to you as an opportunity to grow (and therefore, as a precious gift).

49. Be obsessed with learning and self-development.

50. Become comfortable alone (you are the only person you get to be with your whole life).

51. Smile. It’s a stunningly effective way to win in business and life.

52. Reflect on the shortness of life.

53. Be bold when it comes to your dreams but gentle with those you love.

54. Remember that success is dangerous because it can kill drive/innovation/passion and going the extra mile. Be successful yet stay hungry.

55. Read “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin“.

56. Be of deep value to this world.

57. Own beautiful things but don’t let them own you.

58. Use excellent words.

59. Laugh more.

60. Don’t complain, gossip or be negative.

61. Plan as if you’ll live forever but live as if you’ll die tomorrow.

62. Feel free to pass these lessons on to those you want to help.

General

These are some of the more general ways you can improve your life.

1. Be proactive: Plan ahead to nip problems before they even start.
2. Cut down on your impact: Reduce the level of waste that you bring into the world.
3. Wake up earlier: Get more time out of your day by waking up earlier.
4. Smile: Feel better about yourself and get a more positive outlook by putting a smile on your face.
5. Accept failure: Know that you won’t succeed all of the time-but focus on your successes.
6. Realize you can’t always get what you want: Learn to accept downfalls and work with them.
7. Plan ahead: Planning can help you be prepared for fitness, health, happiness, and more.
8. Accept that you can’t control everything: You can’t stop the rain, strikes, or control other people-learn to work with what you’ve got.
9. Realize that every second is precious: Live every day like it’s your last, because someday it just might be.

Health

Medical professionals agree that these healthy habits will improve your quality of life.

1. Eat a morning breakfast daily: Studies show that overall, daily breakfast eaters tend to be more healthy than others, so embrace this habit every day.
2. Get physical activity: Make sure you have regular exercise in order to ensure long term health.
3. Boost your energy: Make an effort to boost your energy naturally.
4. Make your workouts more intense: Do more intense workouts to get better benefits than a relaxed session.
5. Get outside: Get more physical activity, fresh air, and space to breathe by spending more time outside.
6. Get a good night’s rest: Sleep seven to ten hours every night to avoid the pitfalls of not getting enough sleep.
7. Eat fish twice a week: By eating fish twice a week, you’ll increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for your heart.
8. Take a walk every day: Get your legs moving to reduce your chance of premature death.
9. Stop smoking: Improve your health, finances, appearance, and quality of life by putting out your cigarettes.
10. Eat healthy snacks: Eat fruits or vegetables as a snack to boost your good health.
11. Stay hydrated: Allow your organs to work properly and keep your joints healthy by drinking enough water.
12. Practice good dental hygiene: Researchers have reported that bacteria from dental plaque can enter your bloodstream and cause an array of problems, including heart disease and diabetes.
13. Eat dairy: Get your calcium to make sure you have strong bones, teeth, and even lose weight while maintaining muscle.
14. Eat more slowly: Improve your digestion and health by eating your food slower.
15. Drink tea: Tea can improve your memory, prevent cavities, cancer, and heart disease.
16. Protect your skin: Stay out of the sun and avoid overexposure to reduce skin damage.

Career & Finance

You can improve your career and finance through these habits and actions.

1. Cut down your debt: Improve your finances by ridding yourself of the debt you have to pay off.
2. Leave your work behind: Let your work stay where it needs to be-work.
3. Practice collaboration: Work with others, asking for help and offering it where needed.
4. Diversify: Ensure that you have multiple sources of income to give yourself security.
5. Keep an emergency fund: Build an emergency fund to give yourself a financial safety net.
6. Don’t be a jerk: Play well with others to improve your career and get more done.
7. Write better: Improve your writing skills to communicate more effectively.
8. Step up your resume: Improve your resume to give yourself career options.
9. Save for retirement: Improve your future life by putting money aside for your retirement.
10. Practice frugality: Save money and live more simply by being frugal.
11. Join professional groups: Network and improve your career by joining a professional association.
12. Go into business for yourself: Start your own business to improve your career and quality of life.

Social Life

Make your social life better by following these tips.

1. Join a club: Take part in a club, such as a book club or cooking club to get social connections and meet new people.
2. Throw a party: Invite others over for a party and spend some time with people you care about.
3. Let friends come and go: Realize that not all of your friends will stay with you, but some may come back eventually.
4. Find a friend: Carefully nurture and grow your friendships for comfort, self esteem, and companionship.
5. Be friendly with everyone: Spread a positive attitude and make others feel good, and you’ll feel better in return.
6. Volunteer: Feed your soul, do some good, and be a part of your community by offering yourself as a volunteer.
7. Realize not everyone will love you: Accept the fact that you’re not for everyone.

Technology

Give your technology habits and life a boost with these tips.

1. Telecommute remotely: Use remote control computing software to use your office PC from wherever you’re working.
2. Learn keyboard shortcuts: Make your work faster and more streamlined by using keyboard shortcuts.
3. Use automatic hard drive backups: Give yourself peace of mind and back up your data without even thinking about it.
4. Use a smaller device instead of a laptop: On your next trip, replace your laptop with an iPod or a thumb drive that will allow you to access your documents without having to lug a machine around.

Happiness

These habits will help you be happier in life.

1. Live in the moment: Plan for the future, but enjoy what’s currently happening.
2. Make social connections: Experts agree that communal activities are good for your physical and mental health.
3. Celebrate yourself: Embrace who you are by being happy and comfortable with yourself.
4. Stop being a perfectionist: Learn to let go of obsessive perfection, and you’ll be much more satisfied with life.
5. Stay positive: Keep an optimistic outlook to feel better about your life.
6. Find a hobby: Find a relaxing, enjoyable activity to live healthier and be happier.
7. Give up a little sleep: When it’s worth it, give up on your sleep to have some fun and enjoy life.
8. Be satisfied with what you have: Someone else will always have more-so don’t compete, but appreciate what you have.
9. Enhance your self confidence: Work to improve your view of yourself.
10. Spend time with a child: Spend a little time with a child to get a look at their unique perspective on the world.
11. Avoid taking things too personally: Don’t make the mistake of thinking everything is about you.
12. Quit nagging: Stop the cycle of nagging and give your relationships a break.
13. Practice being optimistic: Keep a positive mindset to have better things in your life.

Mental Health

Follow these tips to preserve your mental health.

1. Avoid jumping to conclusions: Don’t take action on your assumptions-make sure you’re right before moving forward.
2. Read the classics: Improve your mind by reading classic books.
3. Don’t always trust your emotions: Just having a feeling doesn’t mean something is true.
4. Let go of worry: Reduce your anxiety by letting go of worry and letting the future come.
5. Cut down on technology: Don’t let your devices run your life-unplug every now ant then.
6. Think every day: Whether you’re meditating or just exploring your thoughts, take some time to think daily.
7. Let little things go: Don’t let minor irritations get to you-just let them go.
8. Learn a new language: Learn how to speak a new language to stimulate your mind and open up more possibilities for yourself.
9. Step out of your comfort zone: Break your routine and do something bold-talk to a new person or be spontaneous.
10. Accept your imperfections: Acknowledge your needs for improvement, and aim to work on them.
11. Spend time doing what you love: Whether it means starting a career you love, or just adopting a hobby, commit to doing what makes you happy.
12. Learn something new: Expand your knowledge by making it a point to always be learning something new.
13. Let go of the past: Don’t let what’s happened in the past dictate your future.
14. Minimize dramatics: Avoid making mountains out of molehills-it will only increase your anxiety.
15. Dream big: Be ambitious, and take definite steps to achieve your goals.
16. Spend time debating: Learn new ideas and get mental stimulation by debating with someone else.
17. Stop overgeneralizing: Don’t let a single event determine a lasting trend.
18. Let go of your made up rules: Often your own personal “oughts” and shoulds” can hold you back.

Satisfaction

These habits will help improve your satisfaction in life.

1. Remind yourself of progress: Let your completed to do lists linger so you can remember all that you’ve done.
2. Set goals: Give yourself something to shoot for and achieve by setting goals.
3. Give thanks: Take time to be thankful of the gifts in your life.
4. Recognize your talent: Find out what your talent or gift is, and do everything you can to nurture it.

Productivity

These habits will help you stay more productive.

1. Keep a clean inbox: Empty your email inbox so you’ll have a clean slate to work with.
2. Check in only once a day: Check email, social media sites, and other distractions only once per day.
3. Don’t let setbacks get you down: You can’t win all the time-but don’t let your failures get in the way of moving forward.
4. Stop multitasking: Take on one task at a time to be more productive and effective.

Mind Hacks

These mind hacks will help you improve your life.

1. Focus: You can remember everything if you consider everything as vital.
2. Use catchphrases: Keep ideas active, like “fake it til you feel it.”
3. Sleep on it: Make better decisions and solve problems by sleeping on them before you take action.
4. Make use of the Internet: Sharpen your brain by using the Internet often.
5. Be active: Take notes, think, and read to keep your mind active.
6. Write things down: Make things more concrete by putting them down on paper.

The Little Things

The little things count-make them better with these habits.

1. Make it easier to find your keys: Make your trip out the door just a bit easier by finding a handy key spot.
2. Get your laundry wrangled: Stop letting laundry take over your life.
3. Cut down on TV: Reduce your TV exposure or even eliminate it to get out there and enjoy life more.
4. Make your wallet slimmer: Cut down on your back breaking wallet.
5. Create a landing strip: Put together a special place for your mail, work bags, and other accessories when you get home.
6. Keep a tidy desk: Avoid lost items, and keep everything you need close at hand with a tidy desk.
7. Reduce your cable clutter: Get your computer cables wrangled and clean up the birds’ nest behind your computer.

1. Spend less time on the internet

2. Spend more quality time with hubby

3. Meditate daily or even twice daily!

4. Exercise every other day (I’m doing well on this goal)

5. Get a super-well-paid job which I love

6. Read more

7. Watch less TV

8. Read about Feng Shui and apply principles to my apartment

9. Hang up some of my photos

10. Cull through my photos selecting the very best ones

11. Get projects done

12. Take even better care of myself

13. Call friends regularly

14. Play with cats more

15. Play more!

16. Stop eating dairy completely

17. Get a haircut I feel good about

18. Organize my desk

19. Develop a system for keeping it organized

20. Handle unpaid or unresolved issues

21. Work on my integrity checklist

22. Develop a self-care contract and follow it

23. Save more money

24. Earn more money

25. Practice the laws of attraction

26. Read my affirmations at least once per day

27. Write a gratitude list every night

28. Tell the people I love that I love them

29. Call my nieces regularly

30. Get involved in more volunteer work

31. Take dance lessons again

32. Dance regularly

33. Start listening to the Swing Years radio program again

34. Create more nourishing rituals

35. Get up earlier than I need to

36. Take time out for myself in the early morning

37. Research nontoxic body lotions further

38. Plan photography projects and get started on them (i.e., toxic lipstick photo idea)

39. Practice living in the moment now, and now, and now

40. Attract healthy relationships

41. Nourish the relationships I have

42. Nourish my relationship with my inner child

43. Resume the Project365 Photo project

44. Go to art museums and galleries regularly

45. Plan artist dates

46. Simplify

47. Get rid of unneeded items

48. Make sure everything I own has its own place to be put away to

49. Sort old letters and discard most of them

50. Sort old photos and discard a lot of them

51. Tag photos as I upload them

52. Breathe deeply as often as I remember to

53. Post positive affirmations in my house

54. Rearrange the study

55. Continue getting rid of rugs to mitigate dust mite issue

56. Ask for support when I need it

57. Continue to believe in myself more and more each day

58. Continue to give myself pats on the back

59. Remember all the things I’ve accomplished

60. Further elaborate my dream list and envision it done!

61. Create a regular housecleaning schedule and rota

62. Dream bigger

63. Appreciate what you have

64. Focus

65. Build on my successes

66. Put out to the Universe what I want daily

67. Figure out why I have such a hard time keeping my desk orderly

68. Bring more room for wonder into my life

69. Stay away from the computer

70. Work on Soul Collages

71. Plan regular times for art and fun

72. Reach out more to others

73. Invite others to join me in art and fun

74. Go to bed earlier

75. Get up earlier

76. Be honest with myself

77. Be gentler with myself

78. Show up

79. Open up

80. Learn something new

81. Practice old skills

82. Devote one block of time per week to studying a new photographic technique

83. Only check out one or two library books at a time

84. Read them

85. Investigate book groups

86. Redo my inspiration board

87. Keep inspirational quotes, books, audio, etc, close at hand for when I need them

88. Forgive myself

89. Make amends actively

90. Go back to Al-Anon

91. Call LH

92. Contact CT

93. Pare down e-mail lists

94. Respond to all e-mail within one week

95. Schedule weekly session to go through mail

96. Schedule weekly session for balancing checkbook and writing bills

97. Practice manifesting what I want

98. Remember to nurture my inner child

99. Envision every adult I meet as a pure soul

100. Give (& receive) lots of hugs!

Without further ado, let’s go.

1. Accept Your Mistakes

You’re human. We, humans, are making mistakes. Accept what you did wrong and try to do better next time. No need to punish yourself forever. In fact, accepting your mistakes is the only way to make them disappear.

2. Accept Your Friends Mistakes

Maybe you got hurt by somebody. Happens. Just accept it and deal with it. People are making mistakes and if you can accept that for yourself, accept it for your friends too. In the end, all you need from them is their love.

3. Create A New Habit

We’re doing a lot of stuff on autopilot. Try to integrate in this category new things you want to attract into your life. Habits are powerful. Harness their energy for your own good. Start by creating a habit in 15 days.

4. Build Self Discipline

Don’t wait for other people to impose discipline on you. Start early. Create your own discipline. Although it sounds a little bit harsh, self discipline is a facilitator for many things in your life. It’s hard to get but great to have.

5. Make New Friends

Reach out. Don’t be afraid. Establish new contacts. The worst thing that may happen to you is to be rejected. Well, if that’s the case, move on. The reward of having true, long-lasting friendship is worth all the potential rejection.

6. Get A New Job

Shaking your comfort zone will often create a lot of value in your life. If you’re not satisfied with your job, just get a new one. The pitfall of not having money for a limited period of time is temporary, get over it.

7. Start A New Diet

You are, in a vast proportion, what you eat. Trying a new diet would often be the only needed change for a dramatic boost of your health and energy. Don’t necessarily have to be raw food, or even vegetarian, whatever works for you.

8. Keep A Journal

Write down you feelings, your ideas, your goals, your activity. Journaling is by far one of the most useful things I’ve done to change my life for the best. It works in such a silent, yet effective way. All you need is pen and paper.

9. Create And Keep A Morning Phrase

Whatever you say to yourself in the morning, it will most likely come true during the day. Why not taking advantage of it? Create a simple morning phrase and say it to yourself first thing in the morning. Is that simple.

10. Travel Far Away From Your Home

Traveling long distance is incredibly rewarding. It’s so exciting and full with unknown events. I only recently started to travel really far away from my home, but I do wonder how could I ever made it until now without this.

11. Learn To Take Risks

Your life may be so boring and fade because… err, you made it like this? When was the last time your tried something really difficult? When was the last time you challenged the odds doing something risky? Do it now.

12. Start Your Own Business

Be your own boss. Work your own hours. I know, it sounds so shallow, for you, who hate your job but still have to stay there because of that mortgage. Well, unless you make the first step, nothing is going to change. That’s for sure.

13. Change Your Work Space

Clean up your desk. Re-arrange furniture. Add some color to that space. Make the place where you work really enjoyable. So enjoyable that work there won’t be perceived as work anymore. It will be something you love to do.

14. Learn A New Language

Challenge your mind. Constantly. If you’re going to do number 10, you’re going to learn some new languages too. From my experience, learning a new language is a fantastic mind opener. Sometimes you don’t even have to travel there.

15. Find Reasons To Agree

Rather than disagree. We have this mindset of competition which makes constantly arguing over things. Well, stop that. You don’t have to force yourself into agreement, if it’s not the case, just trying to find some reasons will be enough.

16. Pay Yourself First

You can’t give something if you don’t have it. You can’t spread light onto others if you don’t have light from within. You can’t give wealth to others if you don’t have it for yourself first. Make yourself a service and pay yourself first.

17. Wake Up Early

This is not a habit, this is a lifestyle. Don’t just wake up early without a purpose. Be early. Be there before others. Look for opportunities and embrace them. Waking up early means keeping your eye open to every available opportunity.

18. Train Your Focus

Your focus is in fact your reality. Use it wisely. Train it constantly for it will enhance your reality in ways you never imagined. Keep your focus sharp as a razor blade and be prepared to experience life in fantastic shapes and colors.

19. Start A Blog

On whatever topic you want. Not only it will give you the opportunity to create something new and valuable but it will also bring new people into your life. Blogging is far more than a hype, is a personal development tool. A very good one.

20. Write An Ebook

You may think you don’t have a talent, but that’s completely wrong. And the easiest way to prove it wrong is to start writing an ebook. Any ebook. You pick the topic. It might be something you know or want to learn about. Write it. It’s fun.

21. Be Better, Not Perfect

Striving too much for perfection will ruin your life. It will wipe out all those little imperfections which are making you… human. Being better, on the other side, is rewarding. Look back at the yesterday you and just say: I’m better!

22. Stop Self Sabotage

You’ll be surprised by how much of a burden you can be to yourself. You are literally self sabotaging. Most of the time, unconsciously. If you have a long history of failure behind, that could mean you’ve become your worst enemy. Stop it.

23. Find Reasons To Love Your Life

Maybe life wasn’t fair with you. Yes, I know, I’ve been there: life is never fair. But it’s fantastic. It’s unique, unrepeatable, one of a kind, beautiful, simple, challenging, sweet, hard… Just take a step back and find reasons to love your life.

24. Try Something New

Maybe you’re sad because you’re bored. Have you ever thought about that? Just reach out and try something completely new. Go for a challenge, learn a new sport, pick a different restaurant or go for a comedy movie (if you’re the drama type). Just try it.

25. Avoid Fighting

Fighting is the biggest energy leak of your being. Trying to prove another guy wrong is so against your true nature. You’re here to acknowledge life’s wonders, not to prove anybody’s wrong. They’re not wrong, just have different opinions. And that’s part of life.

26. Stop Wasting Your Power

Are you doing something that you think you shouldn’t be doing right now? Well, that’s wasted power. That’s meaningless stuff promoted to the honor of being a part of your life. How long are you going to approve this? Why wasting power?

27. Learn To Ignore

I think they should be teaching this one in schools. We’re so focused on so many topics and think we have to do so many stuff, that our life is literally clogged with stuff. It’s good to do stuff, but learning to ignore stuff is much better.

28. Experiment Gratitude

When was the last time you said “thank you”? With all your heart? Everybody knows that an attitude of gratitude is the key to success, but almost nobody practices it. Well, start by experience gratitude first, and take it from there.

29. Recycle Your Aggression

Don’t throw it away, recycle it! Use it for something you really want! Call out those wild forces inside of you and put them to work. Aggression is part of your being, so don’t try to reject it, because it will only grow stronger. Recycle your aggression.

30. Release Your Guardians

Don’t touch that! Don’t eat that! Don’t go for that opportunity! Those are the sentences you hear when going for something you really want. Those are your guardians, your mental constructs made to protect you. Release them, you’ll be much better off.

31. Clean Up Your House

It’s fun. And it’s good for you. Make a habit out of cleaning up your house with joy and happiness. What’s outside is a mirror of what’s inside. If your house is a mess, probably your internal life is a disaster. Neat that stuff, it’s easy.

32. Write A Personal Mission Statement

You’re here with a reason. No matter how small you feel now, how insignificant others may made you feel, you have a purpose. Take the time to write your personal mission statement. It will bring light and direction into your life.

33. Dissolve Negative Opinions About Yourself

Whatever you think you may do, it’s half of what you can really do. And that’s because you have so many negative opinions about yourself. You can solve them. Just accept the fact that you have them and then start working on them.

34. Build Different Skills

Don’t stop learning. Don’t remain stuck in a single career, it’s boring and limiting. Learn different skills, possibly from completely unrelated fields. You never know when life will ask you to use them. Besides, it’s a lot of fun.

35. Manage Your Time As You Manage Your Money

Have you ever thought what would be if you would manage your time the same way you manage your money? Just give it a try. See where you spend most of your time, what the return of investment is and how rich are you in time.

36. Exercise

You don’t have to break the world record, or something. Just make sure you exercise constantly. It will make your body healthier and your mind clearer. It’s also one of the simplest and most affordable ways to improve your life.

37. Be A Parent

Having kids doesn’t necessarily means you’re a parent, and I know that very well. Being a parent will surely change your life forever: filling it with unconditional, life lasting love, care and warm feelings. You’ll live in love. And learn.

38. Throw Away One Object A Day From Your House

Maybe your life is breathing so hard just because it’s suffocated by objects. Learn to let them go. You may donate them, give to charity or simply throw them away, but don’t let the clutter stay in your way. You’re not the objects you have.

39. Read A Book Per Week

Or, alternatively, a fine selection of blogs. That will keep your mind alert and your focus steady. Reading is like good food for your brain, without it, it will go lazy, obese and unresponsive. But with the proper food it can become your best friend.

40. Start A Monthly Challenge

Being it physical, mental or social. Intend to acquire something new in your life in 30 days. Improve your health using new methods, or your relationships by starting new things together. Make it count. And count on it.

41. Call An Old Friend

It’s enlightening to meet somebody you haven’t talk to in the last years. Go right now and call an old friend, or a relative. It will bring up memories and it will create new opportunities. Don’t let the dust settle on your relationships.

42. Follow A Coincidence

Well, there aren’t any coincidences, I lied. Everything has a purpose. If you witness something which may seem like a coincidence, then you’re very lucky, you just got a sign. Follow it with trust, it will lead you well.

43. Play A Game

Any game. Just play. Like a child. Allow yourself to do something just for fun, without any goals, pressures or deadlines. Will make you understand that everything is a game. Sometimes a little bit harder, but still a game..

44. Forgive Somebody Out Of The Blue

Don’t hold that grudge for that past insult. Grudges are heavy and tend to make the take off for a new life a little bit difficult. The longer you hold that grudge, the more difficult the take off will be. Forgiveness will lift you off.

45. Stop Solving The Wrong Problems

You are not here to witness the bad things in your life. Nor the performance in itself. You are here to enjoy a journey. To become aware, To grow. So, stop solving the wrong problem and focus on what really matters.

46. Make Peace With An Old Enemy

That’s more than forgiveness, that’s the actual process of reversing a situation. Make peace with somebody. Turn it into your friend. I’m not saying this is easy, I know it first hand. But I also know it works. Enemies count down, friends count up.

47. Make A Promise To A Close Person And Keep It

It doesn’t have to be something big. It doesn’t have to be for someone special. It doesn’t have to be difficult also. But it has to be a commitment to somebody. Just reach out, make a promise, keep it and then enjoy the feeling after.

48. Break Up With A Person You Don’t Really Like

Maybe you’re friend with somebody just by habit, chemistry being dead for a long time now. Just break it up. Tell him. Ok, let’s unfriend us, this will not work. It will bring up something you thought you lost it long ago: courage.

49. Get A Thing You Wanted For A Long Time

But you didn’t had time or money to get it. Just go out and get it. Not only it will boost your self-respect, but it will also free your desire channel, which may be a little bit clogged by having one and only one desire for such a long time.

50. Stop Being Judgmental

With others AND with you. Excessive criticism will kill your enthusiasm. And if you think this post is something you shouldn’t read in the first place, then, my friend, you really are judgmental. Lighten up. Accept life as it is.

51. Change Your Wardrobe

You don’t know how much are you tied to what you wear. If you’re on the gray loving side, put some color in your clothes. If you’re on the black and white, try some gradients. Of course, your clothes are not you. Hence, they’re so easy to change, right?

52. Smile At Least 10 Times A Day

And I mean it, start to count that. Smiling is a sign of honesty and power. Everybody can cry over a disaster but only the most powerful can take bitterness with a smile. Exercise that power. And then try to go for 20 times a day.

53. Burn Some Old Memories

Maybe the notebook from your 7th grade? Maybe the teenage dumb poetry you wrote? Whatever it might be, break up. It might be difficult, but it might also be a sign that you’re so attached to the past that you can’t advance in your life anymore.

54. Plant A Tree

Or take care of a flower. Do it for at least several months. It will give you a sense of potential. Seeing that tree or that flower growing will make your self-confidence go up. If a flower can make it, why can’t I? Of course you can, now do it!

55. Move To Another Town Or Country

Maybe it’s time to change the environment? Take the plunge, move over. Pick another town or even another country. Like all the good stuff, it might be pretty difficult in the beginning, but you can bet it would shake everything really good!

56. Join A New Group

Go to a bikers meeting. Or, if you’re not a biker, to a toastmaster meeting. Join a group and see how you fit in. It will help if the group will be focused on some of your passions, of course. It will reveal a lot about your social skills.

57. Stop Watching TV

Television evolved a lot from the balanced news provider it was in the beginning up to the current manipulating tool. Just stop watching it for a week. And then for a month. Meanwhile, assess your psychological progress. You may be amazed.

58. Start A Totally Unexpected Hobby

Start making trains out of matches. Raise cobras. Put tiny vessels into tiny bottles. Do whatever it takes to move your mind from your problems for a while. And if you can create something nice in the process, why not doing it?

59. Randomly Hug A Stranger On The Street

Ok, this might be a little bit dangerous, but only if you think at it. If you’re doing it, chances are that you’re going to get your hug back. It will also help raising your adrenaline up to levels you never had for a very long time.

60. Set Up A Surprise Party

For your or for a friend. It’s always good for your mood, even if – or especially if – you’re down. Do a thematic one, invite friends and tell them to bring their friends. And then expect to meet new, wonderful persons. And of course, have fun.

61. Go Hiking

Do it for at least one week-end. Nature is more powerful than our human created environment. We don’t know how to channel the energy into our artificial habitats. If you want to recharge, go outside and stay in connection with the wilderness.

62. Get A Pet

Whatever works for you, a bird, a guinea pig, a dog or a cat. It will keep you alert and it will cheer you up when you’re down. Taking care of a pet is also easier if you’re overwhelmed with human interaction. Even from a pet, love is still love.

63. Write A Thank You Letter

You can send it or not, the real catch is to write it. Pick someone who helped you in the past. Start writing the letter and say everything you want to say to that person. It will make you understand what are you really grateful for in your life.

64. Meditate Daily

It’s the easiest thing you can do. True mediation acts like a mind emptier, leaving you open to the whole flow of the sensations and experiences you would otherwise ignore. You don’t even need a complicated technique, meditate as you see fit.

65. Say Something Nice To Somebody

Just like that. Out of the blue. Pick an unknown person and say something nice. After the initial surprise you’ll be amazed by the unmasked joy and gratitude they’re expressing. Admit it: you would like that too, isn’t it?

66. Say Something Nice To You

Ok, but if nobody is telling you nice things, why not start this yourself? Do it in whatever form you think it’s appropriate: send yourself emails, write in your calendar or leave yourself nice postits on the desk. With something nice just for you.

67. When I Doubt, Improvise

Being so scared for not knowing the answer, so nervouse that you may screw thins up… I know the feeling, I’ve been there too. Just go with the flow. Improvise. It will be so good for your unconscious mind. The real answer will be surprising.

68. Don’t Argue, Win Or Lose

This goes hand in hand with avoiding the fight, but it’s a little bit different. If you get caught in an argument, just accept that you can have only two outcomes from it: win or lose. Settle with one and just move on.

69. Stop Faking Your Life

It’s so easy to get caught in a flow of fakes. Society wants us to politely lie and you need to lie sometimes. Just stop it. Being authentic is the best thing you can do. No need to hide your sorrow, nor your joy. They’re both part of life.

70. Define Goals

Again, that goes hand in hand with writing a personal mission but it’s more than that. It’s the habit of clearly deciding – and, subsequently, describing – where you want to go. Do you have a goal? A passion, maybe? Go for it! And be verbose.

71. Help Others

Reach out and try to see if you can help others. You don’t have to be a Samaritan, just go out there and support somebody. The biggest trick of helping is really surprising: although it seems you’re giving, you’re in fact receiving a lot more.

72. Go Social

Mingle, interact, go out. Get used to meet new people. Make this a habit and you’ll soon get used to do new things too. The goal is not to be the best networker in the world, but to be connected to as many energy sources as you can get.

73. Spend Some Time Alone

Subsequently, make sure you set aside enough time for your own. You don’t necessarily need to recharge, but you need this time in order to get a new perspective. Stop for a while and look around. Where are you? Where do you want to be?

74. Fix Something By Yourself

Go fix a broken window, or a scratch on your car. Don’t call for a specialist, get involved, see how you can have an impact on things around you. Work with your hands, prepare to sweat. It will instantly make you feel better.

75. Create Value

Make things that others need too. Make something useful. Don’t follow blind or outdated commitments, go for what really makes a change around you. Creating value is the core of your activity here and the only thing you really have to strive for.

76. Do A Random Act Of Kindness

Doesn’t have to be in the form of a nice compliment this time. You don’t even need to communicate it to the target person. Just do an incognito service to someone. See how this makes you feel. Think how many times you received that.

77. One More Second

Create the habit of looking at things for one more second. Spend one more second before taking an important decision. Delay something. Time will follow your intention and open some unexpected window for you. Slow it down a little.

78. Understand What People Want From You

What you can do is not always what people want from you. Clearing that confusion alone could bring an immense relief to your life. You don’t have to immediately provide what they’re wanting, but if you do, you may have some big surprises.

79. Break An Old Bad Habit

Breaking a bad habit is difficult. But breaking an old bad habit will free an incredible amount of time into your life. Quit smoking or stop talking on the phone for hours. Whatever you break, it will change your life for the best.

80. Stop Complaining

Complaining is like an open invitation for troubles. The more you complain about something, the more of that something you invite into your life. Cut it out. You don’t get any comfort out of complaining, only troubles.

81. Reject What You Don’t Want

It’s so simple, yet so underrated. Society wants us to complain even when we don’t really like stuff. Like forcing us to smile when we don’t find it funny. Allow yourself to walk away from something you don’t like. Just do it!

82. Being Is Better Than Having

Too much and too often we shape our life’s fulfillment degree to the amount we possess. The fundamental mistake. If you’re doing it, stop it right now. You’re not what you’re having. Being is so much better than having.

83. Listen To Your Critics

This one might be difficult in the beginning but once you get used to it it’s fantastic. You may find out a lot of stuff about yourself that you didn’t know about. You think you are one kind of person, but others may disagree.

84. Don’t Take It Personally

Never. Your world is shaped by your reaction to things, not by the things themselves. Don’t get upset, don’t think that somebody knows you enough to make right assumptions about you. Acknowledge and move on.

85. Laugh

This time is not about smiling. It’s about laughing. Don’t you ever miss another opportunity to laugh. Especially at yourself. The longer your laughing sessions, the shorter your misery ones. Looks like a nice deal, isn’t it?

86. Go With Passion

Don’t let your rational mind stand in the way of your passion. If you found – or at least felt, even occasionally – something that thrills you, you’re there. You don’t need a confirmation on this from anybody. Go with your passion.

87. Trust Your Emotions

Don’t underestimate your emotions. Or overestimate them. Your emotions are your feed-back system and for that they are very important. Trying to ignore your emotions is like depriving yourself from lights in a car running in the middle of the night.

88. Live It Like A Holiday

Ever observed how nice you feel during your holiday? How light, joyful and authentic? Everything is just wonderful. Well, you are on a continuous holiday here. It starts with your birth and end with your death. Live it like a holiday.

89. Make A Story Out Of It

Do you like a good story? I love it. Make everything in your life story-worthwhile. Make it as it would be a fantastic journey and you will be at all time the observer, the hero and the narrator. Create the story of your life.

90. Stop Being A Follower

Admiring is nice. But being admired is even better. Stop trying to fit in other people’s shoes. Find your own path. If that means breaking up completely your lifestyle, so be it. If you are “like” somebody else you can’t be “like” yourself anymore.

91. Watch Your Beliefs

Your beliefs are not you. But they are shaping your life constantly. You have the power to change them at any point in your existence. But in order to do that, you must first start to observe them, to isolate them, to accept them.

92. Stop Lying

To others and to yourself. Although it might ease a complicated situation, a lie is not good in the long run. The trick is that if you’re telling a lie you’re altering your reality. And a distorted reality will be impossible to handle.

93. Stop Reacting To Stuff

And start acting on stuff. Initiate things. Start projects. Predict situations and be there before the hurricane hits. Reacting to stuff is a victim paradigm. Stop being a victim and start acting. Create your life instead of being the creation of others.

94. Live Today

Not yesterday, not tomorrow. Go for what you can do today and leave yesterday behind for good. It’s not here anymore. And tomorrow doesn’t even exist yet, so why bother. All you have is today. Don’t waste it.

95. Expect The Unexpected

If there’s something unusual that happens to you, go for it. The unexpected is a signal of an opportunity. It will not always be nice, this unexpected, but whenever it’s around, magical things are happening. Wait for it. Praise for it.

96. Enjoy

Like being in joy. Like giving permission to yourself to extract joy from any situation you’re in. Even if it’s bad. Or especially if it’s bad. Joy is everywhere, you just have to let it manifest through you. Don’t resist joy. Don’t reject it.

97. Make Your Own Rules

And stick with them. Go for what works for you, not the others. Go for what you want, not the others. Including me. Make your own system and be proud of it. You may upset some people in the process, but hey, that’s life.

98. Love

Unconditionally. Totally. Constantly. Restlessly. Love is the only glue that keeps your life running. You were born out of love and you carry it deep down in your being. Love is never about the others, it’s about you.

99. Get Rid Of Labels

Things are what they are. Don’t use labels anymore, use directly the things. Your notion of “right” and “wrong” are nothing but labels. In a different country your “right” might be “wrong”. Don’t charge yourself with this unneeded burden.

100. No Regrets

Regretting something is another form of not accepting reality. What you can do about it now? It’s gone. It doesn’t exist anymore. Focus on what you can change: your present moment. Not yesterday, not tomorrow. Now. Live now.

We asked a host of experts, readers who follow SUCCESS on Twitter and Facebook, and our SUCCESS staff what they will do to kick-start 2010. We got wide-ranging answers, anecdotes and tips. Our aim is to get you thinking and to inspire you to reach farther, go faster, achieve more than ever before. Are you energized by this prospect? Or maybe a little overwhelmed? Then start small, focusing on just one thing you want to accomplish. Read Publisher Darren Hardy’s article (page 66) on what it takes to achieve your goals, and sign up for his upcoming blog to help you design the best 10 years of your life. This life is yours to make of it whatever you desire, so start now!

1 – Expand your thinking with new experiences. Each month for 30 days in a row, commit to doing something new that you have thought about doing, but have not done, and notice how it affects your life. Some possibilities: do aerobic exercise for 30 minutes, listen to only positive music, don’t read the newspaper, stop watching television, eat only vegetarian or raw food, verbally appreciate at least 10 people a day, get eight hours of sleep, meditate for 20 minutes, visualize your goals as already complete, do 20 minutes of yoga, read a self-help book every morning for 30 minutes, plan your next day’s schedule and prioritized to-do list before you leave work, do five things every day that forward your No. 1 goal, spend an hour with your spouse, call one of your children on the phone, write a handwritten thank-you note to someone, drink 10 glasses of water, take a nap, listen to a motivational CD on the way to work. Start this month and do one activity for the next 30 days in a row and then assess how it has impacted your life. I started doing this in July of 2009 and it has created the most magical year of my life. —Jack Canfield, co-founder of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and co-author of The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

2 – Write letters to three people in your life to let them know what they mean to you.

3 – START A BUSINESS PLAN. If you’ve been sitting on a business idea for a while and haven’t acted on it, it’s time to do something about it. Write down your ideas and start working on a business plan. If you don’t know how, buy a book on starting a business and read it, or check the Internet for tips.

4 – WRITE A 101 LIFE-GOAL LIST.

5 – Make a commitment to fitness. Don’t just make a resolution and join a fitness center you won’t see after February—make a commitment and build fitness into your schedule. Join a class at your fitness club, an exercise group or a team sport. Or, if you can afford it, hire a trainer. Doing any of these things will not only make your workouts more productive, but they will also be more fun. Plus, you get the advantage of having others hold you accountable to your workout commitment. —Deborah Heisz, SUCCESS editor in chief

6 – Find a volunteer opportunity at Volunteer.org.

7 – Invest in a bright financial future. I will start a savings account. I graduated from college a little over a year ago and I need to start planning out my financial future. I want my financial future to be bright and to have no worries when I’m older and ready to retire. —Brandy Jules, SUCCESS researcher/ staff writer

8 – Build value every day. Business is all about high-touch/ high-trust relationships. In this age of dramatic distraction, it’s especially easy to forget that. People do business with people they trust and people who make them feel special. Create a ritual that ensures you reach out to three possible or current customers every day. This isn’t about asking for the order; this is about adding value. The more people you help, the more profits you’ll see. Send them an article. Connect them with a business opportunity. Do something to help them close in on their greatest dreams. They’ll soon help you close in on yours. —Robin Sharma, leadership expert and author of the new book The Leader Who Had No Title

9 – PRACTICE THE ONE-A-DAY PRINCIPLE. You can’t delight everybody all the time but you can do something extraordinary for someone each day. Find a customer, colleague, relative or a friend each day and do something remarkable. Using the one-a-day principle will make your business and life remarkable.—Mark Sanborn, leadership development speaker and author of the best-selling book The Encore Effect

10 – Sign up for a birthday/anniversary reminder service.

11 – Increase your awareness of your thoughts. Become aware of what leaves your mouth by recording everything you say for at least an hour each day for the entire month. Words have power! When you listen carefully to your language, you will know whether or not you are moving with momentum and purpose toward your vision. As you develop a keen awareness of your communication, you become empowered to purposefully choose language that inspires and empowers you to realize your vision. If you catch yourself speaking about limitations or problems, give yourself the chance to look for solutions and possibilities. Holding yourself to a higher standard in your choice of language is key to achieving consistent outstanding results. —Niurka, speaker, author, entrepreneur, trainer

12 – Write a personal mission statement or mantra.

13 – Schedule family time. I want to set up a schedule that is devoted only to my family. Maybe it’s playing a game with the kids twice a week or going to get ice cream. It’s hard to make time to do those family things, but I want to make sure I’m working to live instead of living to work. —David Lee, SUCCESS assistant editor

14 – LOSE OTHER PEOPLE’S OPINIONS. Quit worrying about trying to please everyone. As Bill Cosby says, “I don’t know the key to success, but I know the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” —Gina Muré from Facebook

15 – STOP USING THE “BAD THING” LABEL. Whenever something happens that is not in line with our desires, we get disappointed. We stick the label “bad thing” on it. And when we do, we experience it as such. In truth, we do not know whether something unexpected is “good” or “bad,” and we may never know.

When Greyston Bakery filled its first order for brownies for Ben & Jerry’s, the thin brownie sheets stuck together in 50-pound lumps and could not be separated. You could certainly label this a “bad thing.” But Ben pondered what to do and ultimately Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream was born— one of Ben & Jerry’s most popular products. So don’t stick a label “bad thing” on whatever happens to you that you don’t like initially. Who knows, that may be the very thing that you need to break out into a brilliant new future. —Srikumar Rao, professor teaching personal mastery and the best-selling author of Are You Ready to Succeed?

16 – Find a mentor.

17 – Take stock and charge forward. I’ll ask myself: What battles did I fight and not win last year? Are any of those battles worth continuing? Why didn’t I win them last year? What can I do to win them this year? How can I make those things I liked most about last year happen more frequently? 2010 is going to be another great year! —Alan Dwelle, SUCCESS production manager

18 – Reach my financial goals. I want to evaluate my cost-of-living expenses and see where I can cut back. I just started my own business, and I want to evaluate my income versus my expenses to see where I am currently, with the ultimate goal of hitting the salary I want to make. —Erica Jennings, SUCCESS Media digital consultant

19 – Get a whole new hairstyle or haircut.

20 – Keep friends close. My oldest friend is my former college suitemate. We used to laugh that no matter how many months passed between conversations, we could still pick up as though we’d spoken yesterday. But a lot of time has passed—fast. Work schedules, family obligations: life gets in the way. She’s not the only out-of-state friend I’ve lost touch with, either. This year, my 50th, I’ll make changes. I’m working on taking time off for visits, but meantime I’ll reconnect the old-fashioned way by writing, sending cards throughout the year, little gifts the family might enjoy, too. Last time we spoke, we agreed life’s just too short. Too short, indeed. —Lisa Ocker, SUCCESS editor

21- GET A LEG UP. You know what I’ll be doing! I’ll take the stairs because success means doing what others won’t. —Rory Vaden from Facebook

22 – Create an environment fostering your success. You might not even realize to what extent you are influenced—negatively and positively—by things and people around you. Start a journal to keep track of these influences so you can eliminate the negative and increase the positive. For instance, if being around a certain friend always makes you feel discouraged or drained, you should limit time with that person. Nurture your emotional well-being by choosing friends who genuinely want you to succeed and who encourage you. Also, consider your environment—is your home or office dreary or energizing? And make sure to read and listen to inspirational and motivational material. Make it a point to go to funny movies or watch a TV sitcom that makes you laugh. Overall, whether it’s gossip from co-workers, violence in the media, pessimism in your own thoughts or other influences, make conscious efforts to reduce your exposure to the negative. You’ll see positive benefits immediately! —Tony Alessandra, a communication and sales expert and co-author of the best-selling book The New Art of Managing People

23 – Write your top 10 goals for this year and post them where you can see them.

24 – INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY. I’m going to put the 80/20 rule to serious work, focusing on the 20 percent of my work that generates 80 percent of the revenue. —Haziq, via Twitter

25 – Take daily steps toward achieving my long-term vision. I’ve learned that my daily choices make a big difference in my long-term happiness. Les Brown says, “Greatness is a choice; it’s not our destiny.” I’ve always been a big-picture person, but this year, I’m breaking down my vision into daily, actionable goals that I can measure. The choices I make to spend a few minutes each day on my long-term vision will make great things happen! —Amy Anderson, SUCCESS managing editor

26 – Refresh your network. Have a host of contacts you’ve lost touch with over the last few months? Pull up those numbers and refresh your network! Now is the perfect time to check in and keep your network working for you.

27 – Automate bill payments.

28 RECONNECT WITH FAMILY. I’m making the change to reconnect with family by having a conference call scheduled for the same time once a week with my mom and brother, so that we can catch up and stay close even though we live in different cities. —Kathlena Smith, SUCCESS production artist

29 – Do something that scares you.

30 – Be a student of all you do. You must become an expert in your field. How? Read! Ask questions of mentors and peers. Attend training. Start today by identifying areas for improvement, looking for training opportunities in your field and signing up for seminars and web-casts, reading or listening to personal-development material, seeking out people you would like to emulate and approaching those you’d like as your mentors. —Stedman Graham, speaker, entrepreneur and author of You Can Make It Happen: A Nine-Step Plan for Success

31 – Have gratitude. I often think I need new clothes, but when I clean out or organize my closet, I realize I have lots of options and everything I need at my fingertips. In many areas of my life, I am often surprised by how I already have what I need if I just choose to look at things differently. Take a life inventory. How are your relationships with friends and family? How often do you laugh? Are you doing the things you love the most? Be sure to delight in all the amazing aspects of your life and don’t live in a constant state of —Sandra Bienkowski, SUCCESS columns editor

32 – Stop smoking.

33 – REVIEW YOUR EXPENSES AS A COUPLE. The first of the year is a great time for couples to sit down and take a good look at their financial goals and habits. Are you both on the same page about your long-term plan? Are your investments meeting your needs for that plan? Do you need to adjust your spending or look for new ways to increase your income? This year, why not focus on diversification? Make a specific plan to put those new wealth-building ideas into action.

34 – Take a dance or fitness class.

35 Slow down to speed up. It’s easy to stay busy, moving as fast as you possibly can. But what’s the point of spending your days climbing a mountain, only to realize at the end of this new year, you’ve climbed the wrong one? The best businesspeople are staggeringly focused on their vital few—those few priorities that will yield explosive results. And the way to build this type of business focus just might surprise you: Slow down.

If only for 30 minutes each day, slow down to think, plan, visualize and recite your best moves in a journal. You’ll become aware of your biggest opportunities, your smartest activities and your greatest tactics for growth. With this insight and clarity, you can then take actions that will drive excellent results. Commit to making it your breakthrough year and slow down for a bit each day. Then you’ll be perfectly prepared to speed up. And win in your business. —Robin Sharma, leadership expert and author of the new book The Leader Who Had No Title

36 – Cut up credit cards.

37 – Plan a trip to a place you have always wanted to go.

38 – Write a not-to-do-list. There is a difference between being busy and being productive. What are you wasting time on? What are you doing that doesn’t produce revenue? Here’s a powerful exercise. In 15- to 30-minute increments, keep track of each of your activities during the workday. Do this for a week. Then annualize the total amount of time for each activity that doesn’t lead to a sale or increased cash fl ow. How much more would you make per year if you did not do those activities any longer? How much more free time would you have for family? For health? Put those things on your not-to-do-list and pay people to help you with the stuff that doesn’t produce the sales and lifestyle success you desire. —Todd Duncan, sales expert and author of the best-selling High Trust Selling: Make More Money in Less Time with Less Stress

39 – Clean out your closet and donate unwanted clothes to charity.

40 – Schedule a regular date night on your calendar with your spouse.

41 – Schedule all doctor and dentist appointments for the year.

42 – SAY “YES” WHEN YOU WANT TO SAY “NO.” In this new year, we want to increase our possibilities, options and opportunities. When we say “no” to a business, social or community project, invitation or event, we are also saying “no” to the serendipitous benefits that arise. Rather than waiting for these events to present themselves, start today by actively seeking opportunities to meet people, gather new ideas, learn more about your industry and just connect and share.—Susan RoAne, networking expert, speaker and author of the best-selling How to Work a Room

43 – Communicate and connect. With my three kids off to college this year, setting up new ways to communicate regularly is important. So I’ll be making a lot more cell phone calls, texting, posting to Facebook, e-mailing, sending handwritten letters to their school mailboxes and surprise goodie bags during exams, and heck, maybe even making a surprise 7 a.m. visit one weekend! —Reed Bilbray, SUCCESS Media group vice president

44 – Lower your blood pressure. Cut your sodium intake. The American Heart Association recommends consuming less than 2,300 milligrams daily, which is about a teaspoon of salt. Some people—middle-aged and older adults, people with high blood pressure and African-Americans— need less than 1,500 milligrams per day, the AHA says. Start by reading product labels for sodium content. Be wary of processed foods and soups, sugar-free items; even raw poultry can contain added salt. Baking soda also contains about 1,000 milligrams of sodium per teaspoon. Ask restaurant servers for low-sodium options—you’d be surprised how eager they are to help. Look for low-sodium options at the grocery, such as bread and deli items and, of course, fresh produce.