The Core Essential: Mastering Yourself

A new year should not simply represent a new calendar, but it must be a period of deliberate growth. There is nothing magical about a new year; it is simply 365 new days given to us by God to maximize our lives. It is a deceptive religious idea to imagine that a new calendar year alone will cause things to change.

The absolute truth is that the difference between any year is what you put into it, which means that preparation must precede the year you are entering into. The most important thing you are carrying into the new year that will guarantee a brand new year for you is yourself.

You must focus on mastering yourself, because you cannot control people's attitudes, government policies, or the financial situation. The only thing you can control is yourself.

We must stop waiting for what the year would bring and start deciding what the year would be. People who wait for what the year would bring will receive anything. You have the power to absolutely determine what the year will be. If you want a great year, your greatest asset is yourself.

You cannot get into the new year with the same temperament, the same character, the same way you manage your time, or the same spiritual life, and expect a brand-new year. Your growth is what makes the year new.

Suggested Action

Undertake an honest assessment of your character, habits, and growth in the past year, as these are the only things you can change.