The Dude asked me over udon on Saturday night, what my goals were for the year. When my face started to contort into shapes only seen in wind tunnels, he laughed and changed it to, "Ok, top 3."

Top THREE? Please, I have like Top FORTY. And you're asking me to have a Top Chef Chopped Session? Over tempura udon? Ok....

Sometimes, we have a hard time setting our goals for our year going forward and the sections of our life. If we have a simple mantra that keeps us focused on what our intentions are, it can assist us through the times when we are confused, scared or just plain don't know what to do. This is what Franklin Covey spit out for me.

Via Gala Darling: try your 2012 Personal Mission Statement Generator!

I am at my best when I am thinking and creating.
I will try to prevent times when I am interrupted or insulted.
I will enjoy my work by finding employment where I can solve puzzles, create solutions.
I will find enjoyment in my personal life through singing, learning, spending time with loved ones.
I will find opportunities to use my natural talents and gifts such as empathy, reading people, humor, keeping friends, finding clarity.
I can do anything I set my mind to. I will create something lasting and life changing that inspires people to be better.
My life's journey is always interesting and a challenge to face my fears .
I will be a person who can do anything and is loved. And is loving .
My most important future contribution to others will be their security, wisdom and insight to care about others than themselves.
I will stop procrastinating and start working on:

• I should have a better relationship with mom.
• I should reach out to others in a way that is less selfish.
• I should learn more skills that are useful or money making

I will strive to incorporate the following attributes into my life:

• Optimism
• Ambition
• Insight

I will constantly renew myself by focusing on the four dimensions of my life:

• Maintain, don't ignore
• Create time for spirituality, for it is equally important.
• Don't procrastinate or avoid.
• Forgive, give the benefit of the doubt.

It's a LEEETLE long, so here are the key words I pulled out of this to create a personal manifesto/haiku:

Optimism. Ambition. Insight
Forgive, give the benefit of the doubt
Create time for spirituality, for it is equally important.
I can do anything I set my mind to.
I will create something lasting and life changing that inspires people to be better.
My life's journey is always interesting and a challenge to face my fears.
I will be a person who can do anything and is loved. And is loving.

Ok, 2012...here we go...