I love this time of year when everyone is reviewing their accomplishments for the year, and setting our sights on the new possibilities and growth of the New Year. I have coached hundreds of people through this process over the past 15 years. Here are some of the elements of creating a truly happy new year that I have discovered.

1. Build a Strong Foundation: This means to look back and get complete on what your previous year has been for you. Look at what you accomplished, and celebrate it. Note who helped you succeed and thank them. Reflect on who has made a difference in your life, or touched you in some particular way and let them know. Take stock of what you did not accomplish as well. Do you want to put more focus and effort into those items?

Building a strong foundation is also about bringing a high level of integrity to your life. This means cleaning up any messes that may be left from your previous year. Have you lost contact with a loved one, or let a dispute linger too long between you and a friend? Do you owe money to someone that you need to set up a repayment agreement with? Are there repairs at your house or with your car that you’ve been putting off? Now is the time to clean your slate and get these items handled. The same goes for your body! If you know you are long over-due for that visit to the doctor, dentist or for an eye exam, now’s the time to get it on your schedule for the New Year.

2. What is Your Compass? Do you have a statement that will guide your year? A personal mission statement or a vision plan that acts as your guide as you move into the new year. Before setting goals, be sure that you have a created a powerful context for the goals you’re embarking on. This context gets created through looking at your core values, and either having a clear personal mission statement, or a theme for the year.

3. Create a map: Once you’ve established your compass, you will want to know where you are heading. What outcomes do you want to produce in 2011? Once you settle on those, in each area of your life, then you can begin to break them down by quarter. Schedule quarterly reviews to be sure you stay in action on your plan throughout the entire year.

4. Follow your Guide: It is so beneficial to follow a particular plan or approach when taking on making changes in one’s life. Having a plan or guide to follow helps reduce the natural resistance that your personality and brain will create. Your guide can be a coach, mentor, program or course. Once you decide on your guide for the year, stick to it as long as you know it is beneficial for you. There are so many avenues of growth and development available to you today. Be sure not to fall into the habit of chasing each shiny new possibility that seems exciting at the moment. We have all been guilty of that over the years. Let this be your year to choose a path and a guide and see it through.

5. Enjoy Fellow Travelers: John Donne said that no man is an island unto himself. How true this is. Even the best laid plans can fall by the wayside when we try to do it all alone. Be sure you engage with a group of like-minded people along who will support you and celebrate with you as you embark on this journey into new horizons. Whether you join a fitness program, a coaching group, or a new church, find like-minded people whose energy will help propel you toward your highest dreams and visions.

All of these elements can easily be found in the Life Design course. You will have the guidance of a coach, the support of a group, and the structure of a coaching program to help you fulfill your dreams for this year and beyond.

Whatever path you choose this year, I wish you a very happy New Year!