Rhonda Abrams The Passionate Entrepreneur

Congratulations -- 2007 is going to be your year.

How do I know this is your year? I'm not an astrologer or fortuneteller. I can't predict the future. But I do know this: 2007 can be a year of achievement, satisfaction, and growth.

Can I guarantee bad things won't happen to you? That you won't have business setbacks, people you love won't get sick, or you won't face disappointments or even disasters? No. In fact, I can just about guarantee that this year, as in every year, bad things will occur.

Life's pathway is filled with obstacles. The question is, are you going to treat those obstacles as barriers or as challenges? Are you going to let the fact that you don't have enough money, enough education, or enough contacts keep you stuck where you are if you'd rather be moving forward?

The choice, to a very large degree, is yours.

I know this may sound like the patter of some motivational speaker or a pitchman for a late-night infomercial. But I'm not trying to sell you on anything. Except yourself.

In life, you're going to encounter many people who'll tell you that you won't succeed. They'll point out the pitfalls you'll face if you try to reach your goals. They'll all too quickly point out your shortcomings. It's easy to listen to these naysayers and allow yourself to become discouraged.

If you're fortunate, however, you've had other people in your life who have believed in you. Perhaps it was a parent, teacher, or other adult when you were young, or perhaps a spouse, sibling, or friend who believes in you now. These messages give us hope and confidence that perhaps, indeed, we have the stuff it takes to succeed.

When we're young, we build our sense of self from these external messages. But over time, the most important messages we receive are the ones we give ourselves. These can be discouraging messages -- I'm not smart enough, good enough, attractive enough, and on and on -- or they can be encouraging messages -- I can succeed, I can try, I can achieve.

To be a leader in business or in life you have to continually remind yourself that you can achieve. So be careful with the kind of messages you give yourself. Learn how to talk to yourself and watch what you say. Make sure you give yourself the kinds of messages that help you see the possible within yourself and others.

One thing's for certain: The 365 days of 2007 will only come once. Enjoy them, appreciate them, and get the most out of them. After all, it's your year. And it's my year, too.