First things first in 2009!

If you’re like me and haven’t made a New Year’s resolution, do you feel guilty? If you have made a New Year’s resolution and you’re feeling like you won’t live up to it, are you worried? Well, stop it already! Some of us are good at resolutions; others aren’t. But the key to starting anything, at any time, is to make sure it’s true to the Real You. Are you keeping yourself at the center of your life? That phrase, and reminder, in and of itself is the key to a successful 2009 and a successful life. And no, I don’t mean moving through life without loving your family, friends and coworkers. What I mean is that your love for them can only be fully actualized if you are fully actualized. If you are being the Real You. The key to deep relationships and a rich life is through the intimacy involved in letting people in—letting them get to know the real you. That is only possible if you know her yourself.

Here’s a question for you: If you could be anyone, living or dead, who would you be?

The answer, I hope: YOU!

When I wrote Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs, I hoped it would help other people like you feel empowered to be real, to take charge of your life by putting your passions into action and creating or recreating the life and business of your dreams. The feedback has been fabulous, and many of you have posted your charts and vision boards on the website. I’ve received emails and letters from across the country from women—and men—who have been inspired and empowered by the Real You Process.

My wish for you for 2009 is that you take the time to cherish yourself. Take a step and complete your Real You Chart, perhaps, or finish your vision board. Today is, in fact, the first day of the rest of your life. Don’t sit back and wish you had taken care of yourself. Don’t wish your dreams would come true. Take action. Put yourself and your passions at the center of your life. Be kind to yourself. Take a deep breath, let your worries melt away, and make 2009 the year the Real You shines through!

It's almost a new year! Put the Real You in your business in 2008!

There are many firsts in life: the first day of school, the first day on the job and the first of the year, as in January 1—or New Year’s Day. All of these firsts represent a chance to make a change in your life. Sort of a line in the sand kind of thing. Once, crossed, you can never go back. (Since I love beaches, I always try to work in the sand analogy, fyi.)

Anyway, back to the opportunity of a New Year. Make 2008 exactly the way you imagined it for yourself and your business – or the one you’re about to begin even while toiling away for someone else. Because when it comes to running a business, turning over the calendar to a new year often means taking a closer look at what’s working and what’s not. Depending on your situation, it may be an opportunity to adopt new behaviors and activities. So, before the days get longer and the New Year is long forgotten, consider these tips for embracing a first in your life!
- Start slowly. Change isn’t likely to happen overnight. Begin by setting smaller, attainable goals. That way you won’t be discouraged, and you’ll reap the benefits of small, but measurable, success.
- Get help. Bring a team of friends or workers together to collectively achieve a goal. Together, you’ll not only make it happen. You’ll cheer each other on throughout the process.
- Stay positive. If something doesn’t work out like planned, it may be beyond your control. Instead of letting it get you down, stay focused. Remember, you learn more from the negative experiences than you do from the positive ones, as I highlight in my about to be released book Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs. (Available now for pre-order online - hint, hint.)

The New Year is a time for reflection. Keep these tips in mind as you go about putting the real you in your business. Remember, if you had some hiccups on your way to the life or business you imagined in 2007, a whole new year is just around the corner. For more inspiration, a chance to share your favorite New Year Realism, and sign up to receive an enewsletter full of inspiration visit http://RealYouIncorporated.com