But much more importantly, in the American college system, the freshman and junior years are really there only to improve skills like critical thinking, complex reasoning and writing.

FORBES: Bill Gates On Why American Colleges Have To Change

So when Jill and I launched Joining Forces and we first started thinking about how to improve health care for our veterans and military families, it was very clear that we needed to call on all of you -- America's nurses and nursing students.

WHITEHOUSE: The White House

Get everyone involved in thinking about how to improve the business, and make it safe for people to push the envelope.

FORBES: Are You in the Innovation Danger Zone?

In 1990, when GM initially invested in Saab, the thinking was that GM could help improve Saab's quality and overall refinement, while the Swedish brand would add some luster to GM's generally dull product portfolio.

CNN: The fate of four GM brands

And, this year, instead of promising to transform yourself overnight into a better parent, how about committing to continually improve your parenting little by little, by learning, thinking deeply about, and mastering one skill at a time?

CNN: A different kind of parenting resolution

Who spend time thinking about how they can improve, how they can lead their teams better and more effectively.

FORBES: I Know it's More Fun to Talk About Bad Leaders....

But it does suggest that, if we want to see a resurgence in big thinking and grand invention, if we want to promote breakthroughs that will improve not only our own lives but those of our grandchildren, we need to enlarge our aspirations.

WSJ: Why Modern Innovation Traffics in Trifles

The answer they came up with was to make peace with the teachers unions that had been demonized by the previous administration and with the teachers that had been so badly 44 demoralized and they invited them to join them in thinking through a reform program that would improve student performance.

FORBES: NCEE Report Focuses on Teachers as Professionals, New Pay Schemes

If nothing else, a world where manufacturers and network operators strive to improve the Android experience is a good place to be, and we can raise a toast to Apkudo for thinking about that.

FORBES: How the 'Little Guy' Wireless Carriers are Battling AT&T and Verizon

By shifting your thinking away from the macro issues and moving your focus to issues you are able to improve, you are taking control of your financial life in the only way you are able.

FORBES: Sweat the Small Stuff!