Adhering to a rigid list of New Year’s resolutions has never been my forte. But looking towards a new year, I will focus on 7 “C’s” and hope you will find them useful for a prosperous and fulfilling year ahead.  1. CENTER Yourself. Take time to center your journey before starting something new. Check in with yourself and ask “Is it important? Should it be a priority?” If it feels right in your core being, then embrace it. Through the years, I have found myself in such a hurry and in a rush to do everything that I commit myself to things that I shouldn’t. It brings to mind the lyrics of an Alabama song: “I’m in a hurry to get things done. I rush and rush until life’s no fun. All I really gotta do is live and die, but I’m in a hurry and don’t know why.” Think about that!  2. Be CURIOUS. It is a wonderful gift to be curious. Listen and learn from the many people and experiences in your life. You will find wonder in discovery. When you are eager to learn you will possess a beauty that is irresistible and contagious. A favorite line of mine from the movie, “The Power of One” is, “We have so much to learn we do not have a second to waste.”  3. Be COURAGEOUS. The definition of courageous tells us that it is a quality of mind and spirit that enables us to face difficulty, danger and pain without fear. Furthermore, it is to act in accordance with one’s beliefs especially in the face of criticism. Courageousness is a learned response and behavior that requires discipline. Fear is a wicked demon and when we are gripped with fear we cannot act in the best interest of those we are responsible for, especially ourselves.  4. Be CANDID. Be candid. If you are not candid with people, you are going to find yourself really disappointed down the line. When you are candid, you express the truth, as you know it. Many times you will find yourself in “Fierce Conversations”, the title of a book I recommend by Susan Scott. Although these conversations are difficult, if you approach them with honesty and decency you will reach new understanding with your family, colleagues and friends. It is human nature to try to avoid these conversations because they are tough. For me, I have always said that if I lie I will forget what I said and then really be in a mess. Best to just be candid and you can sleep at night.  5.Be COMPETITIVE. As you say goodbye to another year, it is time to reset your goals, expectations and move on. No need to linger in the past because you have a new beginning. I always think about each year like a football team or sports team approaches it. We learn from our past, but last year is over. You may have set records (or not), but this is no time to rest on your laurels. Whether or not we were successful or failed, we have a chance to be new again. Study your competition, get smart about it and find ways to put yourself ahead of the hunt. Winning isn’t everything, but the hope is to always have an overall “winning record.”  6. Instill CHARACTER. When it is all said and done, the one thing you have left to fall back on is your character. Your character should be based on honesty and integrity because by having a strong foundational character, colleagues and friends will build trust and respect you as you do for them. We all slip from time to time, but it is the long haul that counts. Great leaders are admired because of the character they display and live by year after year.  7. Embrace CHANGE. Rapid change is a fundamental part of business today. We are all changing in an increasingly fast paced technology-driven world. In the words of author, Spencer Johnson, “Someone is going to move your cheese” if you wait around in a changing environment. If you do not initiate and discover ways to change, someone else will do it for you. Count on change, and be prepared to zig when others are zagging.  As you think about these 7 “C’s” I hope you will embrace a life with few or no regrets. Let go of anger and resentment for people and you will truly soar. Happy New Year!  Follow Gay Gaddis on Twitter.
Another year is over and there is a lot to be done in the year to come. Use the 7 C's to engage your best self for success in the coming year.