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2008: The Art of the Fresh Start

This section is permanently dedicated to a practice that can result in permanent change. Here's the story: For most people, New Years Resolutions don't work, but you can use the calendar for systematic self-improvement. Here's a suggestion from "Why Is Everyone so Cranky?" that I've been practicing since 1977. I call it the 365 day Personal Project and it has changed my life.

In 1997, instead of drafting a long list of New Year's resolutions as I had in the past, I dedicated that entire year to one behavior: patience. Well, they say be careful what you ask for. 1997 brought me a bumper crop of tediously long lines, traffic tie-ups, brain-numbingly sluggish consumer transactions, delayed or canceled flights, long, slow trains, and other inconveniences.

But every time I began feeling cranky or impatient, I remembered my "patience project" and forced myself to smile, relax, and let go, in spite of it all. Here's what I learned: Most of us are not persistent enough when it comes to change. We give up way too soon. But having a whole year to focus on one single behavior tips the scale in your favor. For once, time is on your side.

I hope you'll try this oddball practice. Some days you'll be successful, other days you might forget, but I guarantee that if you spend 365 days practicing patience (or any other much-needed behavior) you will end up with a new, improved, upgraded version of yourself at year's end.

The best part is that a behavior practiced for a year stays with you. I'm more patient today than I was at the end of 1997. Thanks to subsequent 365 day projects, I'm also more observant, less judgmental, quicker to laugh, more creative, and more inclined to make healthy choices. I keep adding desirable dimensions to my character, year after year. This practice is now a way of life.

In 2004, my 365 day personal project was to expand my sense of gratitude. In support of this effort I carried (and still carry) an official Gratitude List card in my wallet and when I started getting cranky over some trivial incident, I took it out as a reminder of the five things in life I most appreciate. Talk about instant perspective! The card works; it's a permanent resident in my wallet and I'm glad it's there.

If you'd like a Gratitude List card for yourself or a friend, send a SASE to: Gratitude, PO Box 956, East Lansing, MI 48826.

My 365 day personal project for 2008 is to enhance my health and wellness by paying attention to what goes on in my mind (self-talk), what I put in my mouth (nutrition), and what I do for (or to) my body (exercise and self-care). This just happens to go along with the theme of my newest book, "Bless Your Stress: it means you're still alive" which is a fun and funny book on stress. You can check it out at www.blessyourstress.com.