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I love new beginnings because it feels like I have the chance to start over- to make better decisions then I did in the past, to break out of the trappings of my choices and make better ones. But in reality, it doesn’t take a new year, or a new month, or even a Monday to make better choices. All it takes is making a decision and following through.

We make choices every day. My question to you is, are you making the right ones? Are you choosing to make your life better, or worse? Are you choosing to put others ahead of you or are you choosing to take care of yourself first so you can have the strength to take care of others?

I believe we are our choices. If you are unhappy, or frustrated, or bored, you have the ability to choose something different, and you don’t have to wait for a new year to make those decisions. You can do it on any day, at any time. Feeling overwhelmed with the kids? Maybe you can see if a friend can trade some babysitting time with you so you can just go relax for an hour or two. Feeling stuck in your job? Maybe it is time to update the resume, or time to take some night classes so you can move to a new career. Need to loose some weight? Stop eating so much and get out and MOVE. Take the stairs instead of the escalator.

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Of course it is easy to stay where you are, to keep making the same decisions over and over. That is why so many of us get stuck in ruts- because it is easy. But if you really want to move forward, you can make the decision to get out of your status quo and make the leap into something new. Here is how:

Make a goal: something tangible  For example I would like to loose 10 pounds by April 1st. Then figure out a plan to achieve that goal: I will get off my behind and get back to running in the morning and continue to be dedicated to lifting weights. I will make better choices with my food intake and be aware of portion control. And I will stop drinking. That last one is by far the most difficult for me. I love to have a glass (or three) of wine a few times a week. But I have found when I drink I get hungry and then I have no willpower to control my eating and I raid the pantry for cookies.

The thing is I made this goal in October. And I did great on the exercise, good on the food, and not so great on the drinking. But I didn’t wait until there was a new year to re-make my resolution. I make the choice to exercise, or not, every day. I make the choice to eat ice cream, or not, every day. And I know full well when I pour that glass of wine what will happen. I am my choices.

So this year, after the thrill of making a New Year’s resolution has worn off, remember that you don’t need a holiday to make better decisions. You can choose to change the direction your life is going at any moment. And this year I want you to choose YOU. Make this your year- the year of making better choices.