Dear Friends,

I just finished reading Steve Jobs’ biography. Talk about a man obsessed with change! Jobs longed to “put a dent in the universe,” and he knew that to do that he would have to navigate the winds of change at the speed of light.

I was impressed by his ambition, his credo of perfection and his refusal to settle for anything less than his personal vision of excellence for his life’s work.

We can learn a lot from Jobs and others like him. Too often we settle for less. And while we all may not be destined to create an Apple dynasty, we all have to deal with similar life experiences—ideas swirling around inside us, curve balls that life throws us, a world that forces us to ride waves of change, and our own mortality.

Change is something we all have on our minds as we begin a new cycle—a New Year that holds promise and potential. This issue of Change magazine dives right into the heart of this matter, offering ideas and information to inspire your personal journey. Whether your interest is in healthier food choices, fitness that’s fun and effective finding your life’s purpose an entrepreneurial adventure simple sustainable living, soul-searching travels or learning more about international events, you’ll find each page an avenue that might lead to a better you and a better year.

My ambition for the New Year, as I’ve mentioned in past issues, is to draw myself back into the few things that I really love, and to do them really well. After Jobs was fired from his own company, and then rehired years later, he found Apple all over the map. He redirected the company’s focus back to what it did best, hired an A+ team and embarked on the relentless pursuit of perfection.

Distractions are everywhere. Mountains appear before us, asking us to climb. Valleys draw us down into their depths. When Jobs realized that his time on earth would soon end, he entered a period of extreme innovation and accomplishment— perhaps the best years of his life. He had a saying, “If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.” Great words to live by.

Be inspired. Be focused. Be healthy. Be committed to the change you wish to see in the world.

Wishing you a happy, prosperous New Year!