Gearing Up

So the holidays are winding down and I am gearing up for next year. I have always enjoyed the Christmas break. I am also a big fan of new years. In my mind I know that there is no real distinction between December 31 and January 1, but somehow it just feels like new possibilities come alive on that day.

I will be taking time this weekend and early next week to "gear up" for the New Year. One thing I try not to do is come out of a holiday season on a downward motion. It is too easy to just get into the "relax" mindset and lose some crucial time and momentum with the New Year. It may sound silly, but I guarantee you that people who actually start their resolutions on January 1 are more successful at completing them than those that say they will just start sometime in January... or maybe February if things are too hectic. Of course, the fact is March is always a better time to really kick in with a new routine, what with Spring coming and all. Then again, Easter marks the beginning of new life, so maybe I should just plan on starting then...

You see how it goes, and perhaps from experience you know how it goes. It may sound like a small thing, but if you will have your plan ready and just a couple of action steps that you will commit to come January 1, you will see a huge increase in your success.

For me one of my big goals with the new year is in leadership development and networking. I want to meet more mentors and peers and pour myself more fully into those I lead. So, I will be setting action steps of who, when, and what for January 1. These steps can be small. In fact they should be since you will be planning on doing them in what most people still consider the "holiday". The important thing is that they require movement, and that the movement carries you closer to your overall goal.

So, I hope you will join me in Gearing Up for the New Year. Don't let April roll around while you are still trying to get yourself motivated to get started!