Every year it is natural to reflect on the previous year and look forward to the following year. Some people make resolutions or goals for the next year. This year how about trying a different approach? Instead of going through the same process and ending up with the same results, let’s look at it in a new way. Let’s take a common situation such as the New Year’s Diet. Each year millions of people start on their New Year’s diet to shed the pounds they gained over the holidays as well as the pounds that have accumulated over the last 20 years. A fad diet is not going to fix it, but it can be a start if you have a different mindset. Everybody is in a different stage of change, but if you have a timeframe such as 30, 60 or even 90 days to be “good” then you can go back to your old habits you will be in the same situation next year at this time and probably have even more weight to lose. You may have even picked up other problems such as diabetes, high cholesterol or thyroid problems. Instead of making excuses this year, make plans. Learn what makes you tick and work within those boundaries. Understand what you are willing to give up and what you are not. You are a continuous work in progress and perfection is not the goal but consistency is. Look at this next year as a time to learn and apply this new knowledge to your best investment, YOU.