We are inspired by the likes of Andrew Grove, a penniless immigrant, who started a small business and, with ambition and follow-through, grew Intel into a major worldwide franchise that has spread wealth and opportunity beyond its shareholders. Still, we usually like and are comfortable with who we are and don't really want to change too abruptly, even in the face of evidence that we should or must change. Every Jan. 1 can change that. Jan. 1 means the start of a new year and new beginnings.
Beginnings mean new opportunities to improve, succeed and prosper.
Beginnings mean that you can wipe clean the slate of failure and frustration and apply fresh perspective to problems. As a result, people frequently begin the year with resolutions. Unfortunately, most resolutions are dreams that are so far out of the realm of realistic accomplishment that they die even as we write them. Instead, many business coaches, including certified public accountants, sales-training gurus and technology consultants, use the arrival of a new year to encourage and foster practical and achievable goals. Though those resolutions should be developed in the context of a bigger plan, they must be bite-sized and reasonable.