Update: I want to wish you a Happy 2009. Despite what the media has been reporting about the financial meltdown, the economic mess and rising unemployment—I believe that the positive, upstanding people of this world will lead the charge to bring back some semblance of normalcy and high ethics. The pendulum only swings so far in one direction before it has to swing back.

I would avoid the naysayers. They've been around since forever. If they're not happy they want everyone else to commiserate with them in their misery.

Greater good has to win. It must win. Or else everything we value, anything we hold true, and that's of any significance, will be for naught. Be careful not to be swayed by the Dark Side of the Force.

Feature Article: Celebrate 2008

Resource: 'Atlas Shrugged': From Fiction to Fact in 52 Years

Subscribe: Sign me up for this e-zine and qualify me for the 5-week Secrets to Website Mastery e-course.

The Persuasive Power of Social Proof ...

There were three of us traveling in an auto dealership's courtesy shuttle. One lady, one gentleman, and myself. And of course there was Dave our driver.

As the lady arrived at her home, she left Dave a tip. This was a rare occurrence because most riders rarely tip shuttle drivers. Even Dave was surprised.

The gentleman was next to alight. Would he continue this rare occurrence? I watched inquisitively from the back seat. Yes, he also left Dave a tip. But with a dash of reservation.

Then I was next...

There was mounting pressure on me to follow in the footsteps of the first two patrons. Where this pressure comes from... I don't know. It was probably self-imposed.

Dave was a retired cook who worked two daily shifts at Denny's to pay for his house and car. He is a success story in my eyes. He worked for his dream and got it. He is also a safe and alert driver.

When I reached home I also left Dave a gratuity. This is the persuasive power of social proof in play. The more people are doing or accepting one thought—the more correct that thought must be (if you want to fit in socially). This was a classic click, whirr response. Sometimes your inner programming triggers you to perform an act you hadn't given much thought to. Scary... isn't it?

Celebrate 2008

Dear Associate,

I need to lose weight. I'm fighting a cold. And my car may be on its last leg. What a way to end 2008.

Of course anytime you end something old, something new takes its place. You're probably looking forward to a fresh and exciting 2009. What will help you stay forward focused is looking back at what went right.

When you're reflecting on this past year — don't forget to celebrate all of your positive moments. Remember all of your accomplishments, relive your personal successes and bask in the knowledge that you have a unique perspective on life no one else can bring to the table. These you take with you into 2009.

Let's take a moment to reflect on some of our positive moments:

1) Celebrate friendships. Unless you're super shy and in need of a therapist, you've met some very interesting people. People who are bright, creative and full of ideas. People who value the same things you do. And people who are on the same page you're on.

You can never have enough friends. If you can make one true friend a month you'd never have anything to worry about. Let's become the kind of friend we would be proud to have.

Each holiday season I enjoy giving holiday chocolates to my female associates who've been there for me. It's just a friendly gesture. It tells them they're important and that I appreciate them.

2) Celebrate freedom. You have the freedom to choose whom you want to work, play and sleep with. You're in control of whether to cheat on your taxes or not. You can say what's on your mind. You have the power.

You can visualize how high and far you want to go. Then after reaching that plateau, you decide if you want to go higher or not. You are the only one capable of limiting your expansion.

I've replaced my TV with books, CDs and seminars. They have opened new doors like watching TV never had. I choose to feed my mind with possibilities instead of candy.

3) Celebrate self-improvement. When you've made a breakthrough in one area of your life, reward yourself. Treat yourself to a new outfit, dine at a fine restaurant, or take in a hit show. Do something outrageous to commemorate your winning moment.

You'd want to make a big, bold statement to the universe that you are someone special who makes regular breakthroughs. That's when the universe notices you and cuts a swath to your door. That's when you know all of your hard work and dedication is finally paying off.

I have the opportunity to speak more this coming year. In the past, complete strangers have come up to me to chitchat after my talk. It's rewarding to know my messages have touched people in some deep way.

4) Celebrate you. You are wonderfully made. You are not a clone. You are second to none. You belong on this earth. Usually the hardest person to convince of this fact is the person you see in the mirror. Really.

Try this exercise: Spend a few minutes in the mirror every day and tell yourself, "I love you." It may be hard to do for some of you. It may seem ridiculous for others. But many people have never built a relationship with themselves. Thus they go about life trying to be important in everyone else's eyes, but never their own.

This exercise will help develop your self-confidence and self-esteem, and will show the world you're uniquely attractive. You'll begin to finally feel comfortable in your own skin. And the real you begins to emerge from your shadow.

Will 2009 be your banner year?

Maybe. Maybe not. And maybe both. To begin a banner 2009, launch the new you from the successes you've gained in 2008. You'll be unstoppable.

Warm regards,

If you're not a fan of big government because they create a mess, and then create bigger government to contain that mess, then you might be interested in this editorial from Stephen Moore (a Wall Street Journal senior economics writer) giving kudos to Ayn Rand's classic novel Atlas Shrugged. Mr. Moore encapsulates the essence of the novel in this gritty comparison to our current state of affairs.