I would suggest that most of us begin each new year charged with excitement and filled with hope for a future that will be a little (or perhaps a lot) better than our past. Unfortunately, even with our newfound enthusiasm on January 1, many seem doomed to live lives that are almost an exact replica of the past. Each passing year looks all too much like the one before. Why? Because wanting things to be different is simply not enough. All breakthroughs come from a major paradigm shift in our thinking.

Here are some examples of a paradigm shift in thinking:

There is more to life than merely increasing its speed. – Mahatma Gandhi
Life is either a great adventure or nothing.– Helen Keller
Dying is only one thing to be sad about.
Living unhappily is something else altogether. – Tuesdays with Morrie
To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all. – Oscar Wilde

The vast majority of people move through life thinking about what they want and what they have to do to get what they want. Their sole focus is on getting something or somewhere. Now you may be thinking what”s wrong with that? There is nothing wrong with this per say, however, I do believe focusing on what we are going to get keeps us small. It traps us on that proverbial treadmill where we are running a race that has no finish line. It”s a never ending chase.

The paradigm shift I am talking about here is moving from a place of what can we get to what can we give. If we want more out of life, we must be prepared to give more to life. If we want any area of our life to be better, we must simply give more to it.

The more we give to our body, the more our body will give to us. Give your body proper rest, nutrition and exercise and what will it give to you?

Ask yourself this:  If you owned a million dollar race horse, would you keep it up half the night drinking booze, eating junk food, and expect it to win the race the next day?

• The more we give to our relationship, the more the relationship will give to us. Stop waiting to get something from a relationship or for others to make you happy.
• The more you give to your customers, the more your customers will give to you. Want job security? Become invaluable based on the value you bring.
• The more you give to others, the more others will give to you. Instead of thinking about it from a place of what is in it for me? Think how can I contribute?

Entrepreneurs, ask your self this question:  Did you start a business to become rich or to help and serve other people?

If you want meaning, fulfillment and inner peace, simply give more. Whatever you want more of in your life, give it to others.

• If you want more love, give more love
• If you want more loyalty, give more loyalty
• If you want more money or sales, give more value
• If you want better friendships, be a better friend
• If you want more out of life, give more to life
• If you want more joy and happiness, give more and joy and happiness to others

Let”s look at all areas of life. Your physical life – what do you need to give to this area? Your intimate relationship – what do you need to give to this? Your professional life – what do you need to give to your business/career. If you are an employee, what can you give to your work that will produce excellence? If you are self-employed what can you give to your customers?

The only way you become more successful is making others more successful. Giving will always start the receiving.

Remember, it’s a beautiful life. Make it Count!