This is a wonderful time of year to reflect on all that has transpired over the past several months. Whatever has happened in your life, you have reached a new milestone, the end of another year.

I hope that you have used your time wisely and progressed at least a little further down the road toward the goals you have set for yourself. If you did not achieve all that you had planned, do you know the reason?

How was your attitude during 2003?

The greatest obstacle in our path is usually found by looking in the mirror. Have you ever noticed that it's your thoughts that cause a task to seem achievable - or impossible? It is truly sad to think of all of the wonderful ideas and plans we didn't even attempt because we didn't think we could succeed.

Usually, it's fear that prevents us from being all that we can be and achieving all that we could.

Many people are subject to the "great imposter syndrome." They fear they could be exposed for the incompetent beings they believe themselves to be. How many times have you been afraid to speak in front of your colleagues because you feared they would think your comments were less than brilliant?

How many times have you failed to take advantage of an opportunity because you feared that you were lacking in some way?

You didn't try, even though you knew in your heart that you had all the qualities necessary to be successful.

Remember, there is no such thing as failure. There are only results. If the results that you achieve are not the results you want, regroup and implement a new plan.

In every project that you consider a failure (and I consider a result) are clues to give you the outcome that you desire. The question is, are you willing to reflect - without judgment - and try again? Your attitude holds the key and you can choose your attitude.

In his book, "Man's Search for Meaning," Victor Frankl wrote, "Choosing one's own attitude is the last of the great human freedoms."

You are the only one who can decide how you will respond to an external event and the meaning you will give it. Look for the message in every experience. Those events that you label as negative today, you may consider good fortune tomorrow.

I love the words I left you with last year from my daughter, Michelle M. Barkers. Perhaps you need to hear this again: "Everything is OK in the end. If it is not OK, then it is not the end."

- Georgia W. Barkers, RN, BSN, MBA, MHA, is a consultant and speaker on the topic of Attitudes.