I predict that the year 2007 will bring a shift from productivity to possibilities. This shift has been a long time coming. For years, personal development concentrated on becoming more and more effective: becoming an effective speaker, making efficient use of our time, shoring up our finances by trimming the fat. This era was absolutely necessary to prepare us to use our resources wisely, but we are entering the age when we realize that we have infinite resources. We are shifting from productivity to possibilities.

Here’s how it’s working out in my life. I spent the second half of 2006 getting my finances in order so that I could get a clear picture of what I was spending, what I owned, and what I owe. 2007 will be about expanding my income so that I can cut down on what I owe and increase what I own. I have a percentage of my extra income coming to me free and clear so that I don’t feel like I am going bonkers scrimping and waiting for some day in the future indefinitely. In 2007, I will be expanding my idea of income channels.

I spent 2006 assessing my skills, figuring out my purpose and cutting all the fat in my time suckers so that I can focus on the activities that bring the most rewards. In 2007, I will explore my creative side. I joined the choir so that I can sing, I have this blog to write, and I am joining Toastmasters in January. I want to concentrate on my creative abilities as I find ways to fulfill my purpose. I feel like life is wide open, but I first need to determine what I like. It’s full of possibilities.

I’ve even started to approach my health from a different perspective. Rather than cutting and counting calories, in 2006 I started to trust my body. I have 2 rules for my health: I exercise everyday and I only eat when hungry and until full. It’s a big risk, yes, but it’s taken the me out of the box. I am learning to listen to my body and eat the foods that it needs to be healthy. It’s working too. The possibilities here are endless. I don’t feel like I have to restrict myself when my body wants a slab of steak or feel like I am being deprived when I choose to have a spinach salad.

Today we have all the tools to make our lives ultra productive and efficient. Just check out the suite of Google’s tools: an online encyclopedia, spreadsheets and documents that can be edited by parties around the globe in an instant, chatting, and information at your fingertips. We have PDA’s to have our calendars at the ready, cell phones, home phones, work phones, all in one cable. My cellphone today has more power than a 1980’s computer. We know how to squeeze every ounce of value from any device. We don’t need more devices. We will start to tap into our internal resources, the ones that cannot be calibrated: intuition, creativity, divinity. When we begin to do this a new Universe of possibilities will open up.

What’s your prediction for 2007?