As we say goodbye to 2013 and flip the calendar over yet again (each year flies by faster than the last, it seems), this is again a perfect time to take stock of where we’ve been and more importantly – where we’re headed.

To do this year after year can sometimes feel cliche or like “more of the same” good intentions we don’t end up following through on.

I’m here to tell you that refocusing at the start of a new year is indeed crucial. Recent research shows that “people who explicitly make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don’t explicitly make resolutions.” So there you have it. Your resolutions may work out or not (most likely depending on your level of commitment), but I’ll take the 10 times more likely route every single time.

One important thing to keep in mind is to set goals in ALL AREAS of life. Not just “I want to make a million dollars,” but WHY for goodness sake? What will that enable you to do? Which favorite people will it enable you to see more often? How would you be able to improve your home? How many vacations would you take and to what destinations? And so on.

In my book, “Boomer Smarts Boomer Power,” I discuss at length improving the many areas of your life using the acronym SMARTS.

SMARTS stands for:

Spaces – Mindset – Attitude – Routine – Togetherness – Spirituality

In other words, balancing the many important parts of my life for better happiness and success overall. I wish you all the best 2014 has to offer. Please feel free to share in the comments below or on social media what you’re doing to make 2014 your best year ever. Let’s keep this conversation going so we can all indeed live our best for the rest of our lives!