This is the fourth in a series of five off-cycle notes you are receiving from me till mid-January. Enjoy today's gift and invitation!

, Have you noticed that your "resolutions" are often about correcting something that's not working?

Your most primal self seeks always to keep you safe. Your lizard brain is programmed to continually scan the environment for what might be dangerous, bad, or wrong. Turned inward, that primal survival skill causes you to notice what is "wrong" with you - which becomes the starting place for New Year's resolutions - to fix what is "broken."

Except you are NOT broken! What if you shift attention from fixing you to leveraging what is great about you? Ask questions that create a more positive foundation for your personal and professional goals in 2013. See the list below to get you started.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

ONE OTHER THING YOU CAN DO IS JOIN THE BIGGER CONVERSATION ON HAPPINESS AND LEADERSHIP

In 2013 I will celebrate my 15th anniversary all year with new projects, publications, some public classes, and lots of exciting offerings of Happiness and Leadership, and my monthly newsletter is too small to contain it all. Therefore, I've set up a new distribution list - click MORE HAPPINESS to join the tribe.

You will still receive Happiness@TheSpeedofLife each month PLUS 3-5 additional messages each month of 2013, including: early notice of new publications, bonus offerings, first crack at some new classes I'm offering, and the occasional opportunity to help me create something totally new. If you've not already done so, sign up now.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Here are five positive-focused questions for your 2013 goals:

• What are three things I truly enjoy? What can I do to create more space for those?
• What are my 3 greatest Strengths? Where else in my life might I apply those strengths (to better leverage them in new situations)?
• What really motivates me? What is one thing I can do differently this year to better feed my own motivation?
• What are 10 things I am grateful for in my life? What might I do to nurture those so they remain vital in my life?
• What are 3 things I want to do in 2013 to take better care of me? Which ONE of those will I practice starting now, and how will I make it possible to do it nearly every day?

HINT FOR SUCCESS: Think small - you'll have more success implementing a 1-degree shift in your habits than a 180-degree turnabout.

When you start by appreciating what about you is whole, creative, and awesome, you increase the chances that you will follow through on your goals.

Looking forward to a great 2013 with you!

Create Connection. Lead Well. Be Happy.

Jim Smith, PCC
The Executive Happiness Coach®