“Out with the old, in with the new,” we like to say as we celebrate the New Year. Easy enough, simple enough. But wait…there ARE some old things I’d like to keep–friends I’ve had most of my life, my husband, my family, my home, and these are just a few. A more thoughtful and more productive approach might be: “Out with the old things that have become a drag on my rudder, have outlived their usefulness, or have become a liability, and in with the new things that will help make me a more effective, improved version of myself.”

I like to think of this process as going through my mental closet, taking stock of the positive things hanging there, and throwing out everything that’s outdated or that no longer fits. Even if we don’t subscribe to the formal process of making New Year’s resolutions, this personal inventory is a great way to consider the actions (or inactions) that have become “best practices” in our lives.  Growth cannot occur without reflection and introspection.

Whatever 2011 holds for you, I wish you great success, enjoyment, and fulfillment. Make it both a year to remember and one you will never forget.