January is unofficially the month of "hope." It's a month that begins with a focus on a new year, resolutions for new and wonderful things, as well as excitement and hopes for the future. Then "life" sets in again, and too often the hope slides into "same old, same old" by the time we get to February. Are you finding that happening to you and to your new year's resolutions and goals? After that initial burst of enthusiasm, do you find it hard to sustain the momentum, especially in the dark, cold days of winter? If you find yourself slipping into the doldrums of the same old life again, it's time for an attitude tune-up. Just as your car sometimes needs a little checking and adjusting to make sure it's running at its best, I believe we can use that kind of attention and adjusting. And the place to begin is with your attitude.

Now I don't mean the kind of "attitude" your parents criticized you for as a teenager! In my case, that "attitude" did get in my way! Instead, I'm referring to the patterns of thought that form the backdrop of your life every day. I think of attitude as the focus and expectations for everything around you. For example, if you expect people to be dishonest and mean, you will have an entirely different attitude than if you expect people to be loving and kind. If you expect to be successful at accomplishing your goals, you will have a different attitude toward taking action than if you expect to fail. It seems obvious, but many times our conditioned patterns of thinking are so deeply instilled, we don't realize we're falling to the old patterns.

It's really easy to do an attitude tune-up, and the benefits are endless. Studies have shown that people with optimistic attitudes are healthier, happier, more likely to take action, more likely to have positive supportive relationships, the list goes on and on. What are the steps of an attitude tune-up?

*Look under the hood - notice where your patterns of thought and belief aren't serving you. Do you dwell on regrets from the past, worry about potential tragedies in the future, or compare your life to Bill Gates, Jennifer Aniston, or the royal family in other countries? I'm only slightly exaggerating here! When I work with people who are unhappy, many of them don't realize how their patterns of thought are focused somewhere other than the reality of their current life.

*Change the spark plugs - find something to inspire or encourage you. The U.S. has one of the highest standards of living with the most opportunities, yet so many are caught in a trap of stress and overwhelm of obligations. Get in touch with what you love and include that in your life on a regular basis. For your goals, find new and fresh ways to stay committed and engaged in pursuit of those goals.

*Add lubricant - add ease into your life by keeping a high level of gratitude flowing. Research shows that being grateful increases happiness by 25%. A little shot of gratitude on a daily base keeps life flowing smoothly.

*Replace old parts with new - get rid of what is no longer serving you. That might mean letting go of the bowling club you've been loyal to for 10 years, but you don't enjoy anymore. It might mean letting go of friendships that drain you so you can install some new, more empowering friendships in your life. The same is true of activities that you do because you've always done them. Take stock and decide what to dump and what kind of shiny new additions would energize your attitude.

*Go for a test drive - get out and make a difference. People who are engaged in meaningful activities (what they deem meaningful for themselves) tend to be happier and more productive, according to research by the Gallup Organization. Find ways to link working on your goals to making contributions to a worthwhile cause. For example, if you have a health goal, commit to running a race in support of an organization you believe in. There's always a way to make a bigger difference when you have the right attitude.

What would an attitude tune-up do for your life? In 2007 I implemented these ideas for myself. I deepened my commitment to my goals, found rewards that inspired me, increased my contributions to a cause that's meaningful for me, and stepped up the gratitude. The result was one of my best years ever, with amazing people, experiences, and opportunities. I challenge you to practice an attitude tune-up here at the start of the new year, and see what kind of results you can be celebrating long before the year ends.

Copyright 2008 Karen Van Cleve, All rights reserved.

For the end of stuck and the start of passion in living well, please visit http://www.KarenVanCleve.com for resources to provide you with great tools and support to make real, sustainable change. You may also subscribe to our f*r*e*e newsletter, The Spark, to ignite the passion in your life.