Everyone wants to have a great 2011.  We will toss 2010 behind us and revel in the New Year with hope, belief, and expectancy. Will it be your greatest collective 365 days?  Will it be the best year of your life?  Will it be a “diamond” year?

The word diamond comes from the Greek word adamas, which means “indestructible.” The diamond is the only gem known to man, besides graphite, that is made of a single element, carbon. Diamond is completely made of carbon atoms (chemical composition – “C”) crystallized in a cubic (isometric) arrangement.

Will your year be indestructible while you chase your vision and corresponding goals?  Will your thoughts crystallize into successful reality?  Will your life sparkle and shine?

Diamonds form 75 to 120 miles below the earth’s surface. According to science, the carbon that makes diamonds comes from the melting of pre-existing rocks in the earth’s upper mantle. Temperature reductions in the upper mantle force the abundant carbon atoms to go deeper, where they melt and finally become new rock.  When pressure and chemistry are right, the carbon atoms in the melting crustal rock bond to build diamond crystals. There is no guarantee that these carbon atoms will turn into diamonds. If the temperature rises or the pressure drops, then the diamond crystals may melt partially or totally dissolve. Even if they do form, it takes thousands of years for those diamonds to come anywhere near the surface. So diamonds need constant pressure, a little good fortune,and the time of Mother Nature toiling thousands of years to make a diamond. 

Yes… all good things take time.  What can you accomplish in one year?

Here’s my top-15 list to create a “diamond” year of prosperity and abundance:

1. Create a vision for your Master or Primary Life Arena.This is the part of your life in which you invest the most emotions, time, energy, resources, thoughts, and feelings.  Most of us consider our career, vocation, or job as a Primary Arena.  Now, in your mind, go to 12/31/2011.  You have had a “diamond” year.  What has been accomplished?  Can you see it in your mind?  Can you feel what it will be like to accomplish such a vision?Yes, your Primary Arena with its vision and goals can change during the year.
2. Commit to your vision. This is accomplished by having your vision wake you up in the morning and put you to sleep at night.  Full commitment must occur daily. You may need reminders such as email or text alerts.  Try placing the vision on your bathroom mirror, in your purse or wallet, on the dashboard of your car, or anywhere else that will be a daily reminder for you.
3. Create pressure by setting goals with timelines.  The champions I coach place a lot of pressure on themselves.  In fact, pressure or good stress attracts the peak performance mindset that athletes call the Zone.  Here records are broken and dreams come true. Their self-imposed goals act as stepping-stones to their vision. These goals are crystal clear.  They funnel into the annual vision.
4. Work backward from B to A. What will you accomplish in December of 2011?  How about November, October, September, August, etc.?  Choose no more than three goals you will accomplish in each month. Work B to A, and an illuminated pathway will appear.  Now you can walk on it as if it’s so.  And if you get off course, the illuminated pathway will remain as your compass.
5. Immunize against negativity. There are plenty of negatives swirling around us daily.  They come in the form of other people’s attitudes, economic bad news, harsh weather, nagging past events, sleep deprivation, poor nutrition, and low self-esteem among others.  Fill your heart with love.  Fill your mind with positives.  Sell yourself on reaching your vision or dreams.  Immunization must occur daily.  Wake up happy. Go to bed happy.  See the next day as a positive before it happens. 
6. Plan each day and week.  “I’ve never had a day I haven’t already had.”  I’ve used that line for more than 35 years.  I have never missed a night where I didn’t visualize my next day.  Not once.  And every Sunday I envision the greatest week possible.  Plan for positivity. Tomorrow is 1/365ths of reaching your annual vision. 
7. Reverse a poor attitude ASAP. My 90-Second Rule™ collection of proven, concrete tools has been used to reverse poor performances of my champion clients for decades.  These tools take less than 90 seconds to deploy. 
   
   The “Re-boot” is one of my favorites. It has saved many of my clients from the proverbial bad day. When you think about negativity or dwell too long in the past, do this:
   • Close your eyes.
   • Take 6 to 8 deep, long inhales and exhales.
   • Unhinge your jaw.
   • Turn off your brain. No thoughts. See only a black or blank screen.
   • After at least 30 seconds, raise your chin.
   • Open your eyes and focus on the task at hand.
8. Surround yourself with winners.  Yes… success breeds success.  Mom was right! Be careful who your friends are.  Do not accept negativity.  Many friends, family, and associates are acting out the effects of being a victim or a judge.   This is not acceptable if they want to run with a champion… YOU. 
9. Say NO!  Swiftly saying no to other people’s thoughts, plans, ideas, and concepts will eliminate 15% to 25% of your thoughts over a year.  Remember:  You do not have to have excuses for saying, no.  Be blunt and be final.  Be polite but be decisive!
10. Success is getting up one more time from defeat. Getting knocked down or off your course of success is always possible.  Just remember to recover quickly.  A great support group always helps.  Get back up!
11. Make Mom happy.  This may not apply to everyone, but when Mom is not happy, no one is happy.  My stepdaughter will be a teenager in 2011.  I’m getting prepared.
12. Be a kid again.  Striving for an awesome year is admirable but definitely hard work.  Take time to play.  Get lost in the moment of fun and pleasure.  Plan your fun time, and don’t let anything get in the way.  This balance will strengthen your days.
13. Reward thyself. Treat yourself like a champion.  And yes… champions reward themselves.  Every month create a reward for a job well done.  Make it a massage, a gift you typically wouldn’t buy, a lost weekend, etc. Make the reward a big deal.  Go for it.
14. Stay healthy. Nothing can derail a vision quest more than poor health.  Exercise at least 30 minutes daily.  Eat every 3 to 4 hours to avoid overeating and binging.  Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily.  Take vitamins or necessary supplements.  Think healthy thoughts.
15. Give.  Maybe the most selfish activity is giving.  That’s because it always comes back to you.  You reap what you sow.  Applying the “Golden Rule” will benefit you in so many ways.  In business I’ve made a fortune with this motto… show my clients how to make money, and they don’t mind letting me have a little money.  But we can give in so many ways other than money.  Giving the valuable resource of time in a positive, charitable way will reap many benefits.  Even the gift of a simple smile can cause positive change. Make 2011 a year of giving while you chase your annual vision.

In 2011, the average person will have more than a million thoughts.  Like carbon atoms, they can form into a diamond under the right conditions.  However, these thoughts must be positive in thinking what you want as opposed to what you don’t want. Your “free will” can make those conditions right. Chip away at your vision.  There are 8,760 hours or 525,600 minutes in 2011. You have the time.  Plan and make positive use of it.

I see you eliminating 30% to 40% of your thoughts.  Gone are worry, anxiety, gossip, rumor, hearsay, jealousy, anger, hatred, impatience, procrastination, sickness, loneliness, sadness, despair, anguish, intolerance, disbelief, low self-esteem, mistrust, apathy, laziness, and fear.

Fill your mind with only positive thoughts. Fill your heart with love. Now I see you self-disciplined.  I see you focused.  I see you optimistic. I see you abundant.  I see you balanced.  I see a life simple for you.  I see you relaxed. I see you happy.  I see you indestructible. I see you radiating positive energy. I see you successful. I see a “diamond” year for you!