This is the time of year when the annual holiday makers are returning to work filled with optimism and big plans for the year ahead. I say this with no cynicism, as I firmly believe you should have new (and big) plans for each new year.

You know the old saying: If you want to achieve something different this year, you’re going to have to do something different because if you do what you did last year, you’re going to get what you got last year. If you’re happy with what you got last year, don’t change anything. But if you’re not, you’re going to have to make some changes in your beliefs.

So, what do you need to change?

For a start, you may need to change some of your beliefs. No, I’m not suggesting you convert to another religion. In fact, your religious beliefs, if you have any – are only one aspect of your total life beliefs. Every experience you have had since birth has formed your beliefs about everything. And you have been living, and will continue to live, your life based on those beliefs.

You might not think so, but you hold very firm beliefs about relationships, money, success, health, happiness, challenges, other people, your boss, your company, and so on. Right now, you either believe this year is going to be a tough year or it’s going to be a great year. You also either believe that making money is good or that it’s bad, easy, or difficult. Then again, you might believe that your wife, husband or partner doesn’t understand you …

Be careful, though. Your beliefs, while they may seem very valid to you, are not necessarily correct. And if you’re going to continue living with incorrect beliefs, you’re not going to get what you want.

Having a desire to make changes in the way you live and/or conduct business and actually seeing those changes come about are two different things. That’s where most people slip on the proverbial banana peel and then rant and rave at themselves (and anyone else unlucky to get in the line of fire) each December as they feel the regret at having yet another year slip by without anything changing.

Consider this carefully: while you may have a very strong desire to become financially successful, for example, if you subconsciously hold the belief that money is bad (which it isn’t—it’s amoral), you will never, repeat never, become wealthy, no matter how badly you want to. That’s because when it comes to your desires and the beliefs you hold, your beliefs will always dominate your desires.

Put in practical terms, this means you will get what you believe, not what you desire. Think about it. Is there something you have been desiring for many years now, but which has simply evaded you no matter how hard you tried to achieve it? It may be in the area of your relationships or your health, or any other thing, for that matter. It’s because you hold a belief that conflicts with your desire. And while that belief differs from your desire, the belief wins, and things will stay the same.

Of course, most people aren’t even aware of what they believe. They never really think about it. They just make decisions based on what they think is right – to them.

So, if you want to fulfil those desires, it’s not good enough to sit around waiting for your Desire Fulfilment Facilitator (that’s “Fairy Godmother” to all you oldies) to pitch up and grant your wish.

Here, then, is the kicker … You’re going to have to go on a journey to the centre of yourself to discover which of your beliefs are not serving you very well. Once you’ve identified them, discard them and replace them with appropriate beliefs that WILL serve you in achieving your desires.

You get one shot at this life. You don’t want to get to the end of your life and find that the beliefs you’ve carried so carefully did absolutely nothing for you. When it comes to your beliefs, carry no passengers. Ensure all your beliefs are working for you!

Alan Hosking is the Publisher of HR Future magazine, www.hrfuture.net and @HRFuturemag. He is an internationally recognised authority on leadership competencies for the future and teaches experienced and younger business leaders how to lead with empathy, compassion, integrity, purpose and agility. He has been an Age Management Coach for two decades and is the author of parenting best seller What nobody Tells a New Father.