Get Ready For a HUGE 2010!

As 2009 reaches its climax and another decade draws to a close, I can't help but recognize all the blog posts, articles, tweets, and status updates about making 2010 the best year ever.

And, I say...if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!

There's a great feeling of closure and rebirth as one year closes and another one begins. It's usually around this time that everyone reflects on the past 365 days and is forced to hold themselves accountable for what's transpired.

Have I reached all my goals? Have I accomplished everything I set out to do? Am I adjusting to the various changes that have taken place? What will I do in the next 365 days to ensure things go better?

Undoubtedly, you've had a similar conversation with yourself and thought about what's on the horizon. This period of reflection can offer a great opportunity to change the course of your life...but only if you're honest with yourself. And if you can't be honest with yourself, who can you be honest with?

2009 was a year of serious change for me. My job was downsized and I was forced to look within myself for what I was going to do next. Over that time, I've made some adjustments, expanded my education, and continued to reach outside my comfort zone to learn new things and become a more well-rounded, self-sustaining individual. I've taken on the role of "full-time entrepreneur," and within the next week, I will take on the role of "first-time father." It's truly an exciting time in my life.

I won't lie and say the path was a smooth one. There's a learning curve that further reiterates the point that you should never enter any venture, regardless of its nature or size, with blinders on. Always allow yourself a margin of error and learn from each and every mistake. This is the best way to grow and develop yourself as a leader and person, and allows you to attack tomorrow's tasks in a smarter, more experienced way.

So now, it's the moment of truth. Crunch time. The epic question I must ask myself, and you should ask yourself as well: Did I accomplish all of my goals for 2009?

The answer for me: No. And I have no one to blame but myself. Fortunately, I stand in the same position as you: aware of the past, focused on the present, and determined to make every change possible for a bigger and brighter future.

I'm on a mission to consistently get better at everything I do, and quite frankly, I don't think I'll ever be satisfied. There's an inner-fire within everyone of us that pushes us to go the extra mile and do things we're not accustomed to doing in order to achieve the things we want.

The trick is finding the spark that ignites that flame.

Despite some goals going unaccomplished, 2009 has brought some valuable life lessons that I will carry with me into the new decade and beyond. The biggest is finding positives in EVERY situation. Take a look at every scenario that presents itself to you and say, "What's great about this? What can I learn from this?" Hidden beneath every negative is a chance to extract a positive and make each experience worthwhile. The second I learned this school of thought, my life changed.

In the early part of December, I came down with a pretty nasty flu. But, as I dumped a ton of vitamin C into my body, I asked, "What's great about this?"

The answer: I was sick before the holidays, so I didn't have to spend Christmas in bed. And, with the upcoming birth of my first child, I didn't have to support my wife in a weakened, flu-ridden state.

Every situation has a positive!

2010 is going to be big year, but it's up to you to make it happen. Making a resolution is nothing more than words and thoughts until you take action and turn it into reality! Plan your attack and attack your plan, no matter what it is you're looking to accomplish.

It's time to wipe the slate clean. It's a new year. A new decade. A new start. Make the most of each and every second you have.

Best,

Jason M. Cercone
Marketing Success Coach
jason.cercone@gmail.com
412-965-8428

P.S. ---> I'm excited to hear what you have planned for 2010. Leave a comment and share what's on your horizon as a new chapter begins in all our lives!