I wanted to share a quote from a book called The Rythm of Life by Matthew Kelly.

"Everything is a Choice. This is life’s greatest truth and its hardest lesson. It is a great truth because it reminds us of our power. Not power over others, but the often untapped power to be ourselves and to live the life we have imagined.”

He goes on to say that it’s a hard lesson because it causes us to realize that we have chosen the life we are living right now.

In a recent post, I mentioned that we all respond to our environment in a natural way. Sometimes our responses produce effective, long-term results. Other times, our responses are short-term and reactive. I compared two stances in life - a Problem-Reacting Stance and an Outcome-Creating stance.

I had an interesting hut trip experience this past weekend. A group of friends and I skied into a very difficult hut near Vail Pass. The 7 mile approach took over 9 hours, as we endured steep and technical terrain to get to our destination at 11,200 feet above sea level. On Sunday, the area was socked in with almost a foot of fresh snow. With the winds picking up and the snow continuing, we made a decision to take a longer but less technical route back to the trail head.

If you have been following my last several posts and are interested in a more guided approach to creating your best year yet, check out a product we just launched - The Ultimate Goal Setting Guide.

Just a final reminder that if you are interested in attending Ascend 2010, today is the last day to register!

We have 7 expert speakers and panelists that will be joining us throughout the day, and you'll literally walk away with a map to keep you focused on where you want to go in 2010.

I honestly can't tell you how excited I am about this year's goal setting seminar Ascend 2010. I updated the website (www.youryeartoascend.com) with a full layout of our guest speakers and panelists and an agenda for the day. AND, right now we are offering a Buy 1, Get 1 at 1/2 Price option. But hurry. Prices go up Friday at midnight.

I was reading the Wall Street Journal this morning and they had an interesting article about keeping resolutions. According to the article, only 19% of people who make them actually stick to their vows for two years. The article went on and talked about other discouraging statistics about New Year's resolutions.

It started for me about 10 years ago. It was subtle at first. Now it is intentional. I realized that my choices were shaping my life. They were creating my life.

I was living in Atlanta at the time. Playing golf on the weekends. I had just left the Army and was working my way up the corporate ladder.

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I am excited to launch Ascend 2010. This full day seminar will help people clarify the vision they have for their lives, start 2010 with a plan, and create their best year yet.

During the seminar, we'll have expert guest speakers on personal finances, health and nutrition, and career development.

Participants will walk away with:

A few weeks ago, we had a follow-up workshop to our annual Create Yourself goal setting seminar. I was so inspired with how much progress people have made since that first session in mid-January. Several people have created financial plans, others have made steps toward a career transition, and one person has stopped smoking.

Now that's what I call timely and meaningful change.

During our follow-up session together, we brainstormed about ideas to stay on track, focused, and accountable throughout the year. I thought I would share those with you today.