Story courtesy of DaveRamsey.com                           
As you prepare to hang your 2017 calendar, you’re probably thinking about the year ahead and wondering what it will hold. You might even be deciding on the resolutions you need to make. Or you’ll get to them later. Or maybe you’ll just eat some leftovers. Looking back at the past, and looking forward to the future, can be stressful!
Here’s some great news. With a new year comes new opportunities. You can make this year better than the last.
As this new year begins, try out these proven principles that will set you up for success.

Let mistakes stay where they belong
There’s a reason the rearview mirror is smaller than the windshield. Looking at what’s ahead is more important than looking at what’s behind you.
Yes, you need to take responsibility for your past, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay there. You can’t be excited about the future if you’re living in the land of regret!

Let experience teach you
Whether it’s those mistakes you’ve made or the unexpected trials that knocked you off your feet, learning from them can be fuel for future success.
When asked about his many failed inventions, Thomas Edison once said, “I have not failed 10,000 times. I’ve successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work.”
Failure deepens your compassion, forgiveness and empathy. It can give you more self-awareness, improve your skills, and motivate you to work harder.

Let gratitude decide your outlook
When you choose gratitude, you enjoy better relationships, feel better physically and emotionally, improve your self-esteem, and even sleep better at night. There are no downsides to seeing through the lens of gratefulness, but the benefits can radically improve your life!
So what are you waiting for? Let these principles make 2017 a great year for you! Write down those goals and resolutions, and then start working on them. A successful year is waiting. Go after it!