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