Someone once asked me what I want on my epitaph when I pass away. Just the words, ‘I tried.’ That’s what this game of life is all about. Trying. There’s the tryers, the criers, and the liars. ~ Mickey Rooney

The fact is that to do anything in the world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in and scramble through as well as we can. ~ Richard Cushing

Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell ‘em, ‘certainly I can!’—and get busy and find out how to do it. ~ Theodore Roosevelt

Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently. ~ Henry Ford

No Matter How Busy You Are by Jim Rohn

No matter how busy you are, make sure to find some time over the next two weeks to reflect, think, give and plan.

The week between Christmas and New Year’s is the ideal time for this. Try to slow things down. Spend time with the ones you love and care about. Take some time to talk with your spouse and kids about goals and dreams for the next year. Use this as a time to recharge your batteries (and not just by watching TV the entire time), and with excitement, think about a handful of changes or additions you want for your life in the New Year.

I believe you will find the act of reflecting, thinking, dreaming and planning (with your family) to be one of the most important exercises you can do that will positively impact the next 12 months.

And, remember, do not neglect to commit yourself to set this time aside, or you will find that the business of life can and will get in the way.

So, let’s all take a moment to gather up the past year of victories and defeats, growing as well as those times of stagnation, and use it to wipe a clean slate and thoughtfully design the next year the way we truly desire it to be.

Winning is never whining. ~ Denis Waitley

Neglect starts out as an infection then becomes a disease. ~ Jim Rohn