I love beginning a new year –the lull at the end of the year; quiet, thoughtful preparations; and the promise of new and rekindled hopes, dreams and intentions.  Most of the time when we look into a new year, we focus on doing.  What we will do, achievements we are striving for and milestones we are after.

And as the saying goes “we are human beings, not human doings”.  In other words, it’s not so much about the expectations of accomplishment, but about engaging 2006 with passion, curiosity and exploration.  Take a look at your 2006 personal/professional goals, and if they are all about "doing" something, take a moment and consider a focus on internal passions in addition to these external factors.

° Explore your Courage

How can you truly be courageous in 2006?  What kind of courage would it take for you to do less? 
If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, have a look at ways you might act differently if you were being truer to your values and more trusting in yourself.  If you’re doing out of fear of losing ground, grab your courage to lead your life and not the other way around.

° Go slow and be more effective (and happier, too!)

I was really rocked back by how many holiday updates talked about life being “hectic” or “ultra busy”.  What’s the point of all the busy-ness?  I promise there is much more effectiveness and fulfillment to be found by creating space for thinking and reflecting than in constant "nose-to-the- grindstone" doing.  Cut some things off the to do list, listen to yourself and check out the detours and back roads you may be flying past at 100 miles an hour – there are brilliant opportunities there that you (and your organization) are missing.

° Be passionate and contribute easily
If you’re afraid that without a long list of things to accomplish you’d just be adrift, take a moment to acknowledge that fear (it’s a gremlin, if you’re familiar with the term), take a deep breath and trust yourself more deeply.  None of this is advocating being a couch potato – in fact, I’m rooting for you to engage more passionately!  When you’re living a life of passion, you’re almost always making a contribution.  So, remove the blinders that doing can create, take a look around, and be with abandon!