I am a pretty intense person at times and this does sometimes play havoc with relationships as well as health. As I did some real soul searching just prior to the holidays I came up with some thoughts I'd like to share with you, many of which I gleaned from others. These will result in a much happier, more prosperous new year.

Resolve to cleanup loose ends

We all have messes in our lives. Messes are incomplete tasks, disorder, disarray, or conflicts that distract you and cause you to lose energy, break your concentration and reduce self-esteem.

Messes can include cluttered desks, relationships gone awry, physical well-being, finances, incomplete agreements and legal issues. Every time you eliminate a loose end, you boost your confidence, increase concentration, and feel a surge in energy.

For the year 2000, target a mess a month.

Resolve to focus on your strengths

Conventional wisdom says we should work on improving our weaknesses. What a terrible waste of time, talent and opportunity! Highly successful entrepreneurs, as well as top scientists, artists, athletes and entertainers throughout history have achieved greatness by focusing on their areas of strength. Everybody has a natural aptitude in some areas.

No matter how hard you try, it is unlikely you will ever be more than average in areas where you do not have an aptitude.

Working on your weaknesses undermines your self-esteem since you will focus mostly on your deficiencies. Developing your natural talents is rewarding and motivating, allowing you to continually realize higher and higher levels of ability, achievement and success. This year, experience the immense satisfaction that comes with being superb at something.

Resolve to take more free time

Free time isn't a reward for working hard; it's necessary for optimum performance and productivity. We need free time, away from the business, to rejuvenate ourselves. When you are aggressive about getting rest and relaxation, regularly and frequently, you'll see increased creativity and productivity.

The more free time you take, the more creativity and productivity you will experience. To make breakthroughs in income, productivity and creativity, significantly increase the amount of free time away from your business.

Resolve to develop stronger business relationships

Your economic future is dependent on other people's future. Your success in your enterprise is based on the extent that you help other people to succeed in their lives. Ask every person you encounter what he or she wants to have accomplished three years from now. Focus on finding ways to help others in achieving their goals. By adding value to their preferred future, you not only deepen your relationship; you also create huge opportunities for yourself.

Resolve to get in better shape

Take a hike. Or a jog, swim, or bike ride. With few exceptions, those who are consistently successful have lots of energy. They have the stamina and the energy to be creative, to tirelessly serve their clients, to put in the extra effort when necessary and to go the extra mile for their employees. The bottom line is that regular, strenuous exercise is good for business, because it's good for you. You can increase your well-being, jump-start your days, boost your confidence, turbocharger your creativity, and knock down stress by exercising consistently.

And that's not all. Think of exercise as your gift to yourself and to your loved ones. A gift of longer life, more energy, happier disposition, increased creativity and reduced pain. You can increase your well-being, jump-start your days, boost your confidence, turbocharge your creativity, and knock down stress by exercising consistently.

Now start by exercising your free will. Commit to any of these new-millennium resolutions and make this a great 2000!

"Start each day by affirming peaceful, contented, and happy attitudes and your days will tend to be pleasant and successful."Norman Vincent Peale

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Published: January 6, 2000

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Editor's Note: This article reflects the opinions of Wynne Achatz only and not necessarily the views of this or any other publication, organization or Website owner.