Looking Ahead

Earlier this month, as I turned the page on last year's worn calendar to a crisp new one for 2008, I felt a great sense of satisfaction at having completed another year of business. But, as I peeked ahead at the upcoming months, I was struck by a mixture of feelings-both opportunity and a fear of the unknown- held in those blank pages.

Rather than wandering into 2008, I see this as a great time to look ahead and create a vision of what you would like this year to be. It doesn't have to be twelve months that look pretty much the same as last year. With courage and forethought, it can become something new and extraordinary.

It's easy to see business success as maintaining the status quo. Just keeping things going is a momentous feat in itself. But fortunately or unfortunately, most entrepreneurs I know get bored without new challenges and opportunities to grow into something stronger. Growth, however, often means change, and that's where it can get scary. This is especially true when the change requires learning something new and stepping out of your comfort zone.

Last year, when I was preparing for my coaching certification, I struggled with the challenge of learning unfamiliar material and being supervised- not to mentioned graded-at my age! It can be a humbling experience when, as adults, we find ourselves in situations where we are the novices.

I shared my frustration with Noreen, my friend and mentor. She supported me through my transformation, reminding me of the vision that had me sign on for the advanced training. Oh, yeah. That's why I decided to subject myself to this rigor. She was right. Though the arduous process didn't thrill me, the rewards were more than worth it.

Anyone on a growth track stares down these challenges on a regular basis. Others, out of fear, can become immobilized.

Nell Merlino, Co-founder and CEO of Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence, also has a passion for empowering women in business. Through her work, she has encountered many entrepreneurs who feel stuck when their enterprise reaches a certain point. Merlino believes that rather than seeing themselves as "stuck," it is more helpful to look upon this temporary state as being stalled. It's easier to accelerate out of that state of mind.

A great way to get "unstalled" this year is to create a vision that involves taking risks and embracing change. Here are five tips for how to make this an extraordinary, New Year.

1. Look beyond maintenance and seek growth.
2. Tackle something new, even if it's daunting (especially if it's daunting).
3. Devise a sequence of small steps. Taking an action doesn't have to mean moving a mountain.
4. Schedule time to invest in development by delegating tasks to others.
5. Write your vision statement and post it prominently as a reminder when your engine begins to idle.

Wishing you steady acceleration in '08!