So here we are, half way through the first month of the New Year. The time has zoomed by since January first! How are you doing with your goals and resolutions for 2010? Maybe you haven’t taken the time yet to set goals for this year. Or, perhaps you set your goals, but have been distracted by living life as you know it instead of focusing on the changes you want to make.

I am definitely in the latter group. I’ve set my goals, but have been doing more thinking and processing than acting. I’ve realized that some goals I will be able to accomplish on my own, while others, I will need to enlist help to complete.

When I published my book this past year, I did a lot of the beginning work myself. My manuscript was mostly written; I’d researched various book publishing options and resources. But at a point, I knew that the project would not move ahead any further without building a team of people that had expertise beyond what I knew. Once I gathered the team, the project moved along quickly. Enlisting the right help was an essential ingredient in achieving my goal.

Change is difficult for most of us. We have a vision of where we are headed and then have to figure out how we’re going to get there. This can involve many things like altering habits, learning new things, getting help in areas we are less proficient and maintaining the energy and focus needed to propel ourselves forward. This process takes time and patience.

So as month one of the New Year is about to end, use these next few weeks to plan, refocus and figure out what you need to accomplish your 2010 goals. Do not feel disappointed if the first few weeks weren’t all action, action, action. Sometimes we just need time to let the ideas marinate before we are ready to do. If you need more time to think, take the time to do so. If you know you need help to accomplish your goals, start reaching out.

It’s a new year, a new decade and a time to begin again. The very nature of being day one, month one suggests a new start. What will this year be like for you? If thinking about the entire year seems overwhelming, just start with today. How will it be different from the past 365 days? How would you like it to be different?

This time of year, many of us make resolutions. Are you thinking about eating better, exercising more, getting organized, spending more time with family and friends or finding a better life balance with less frenzy and more fun? Particularly at this time of year, I love the opportunity to start over with a clean slate of possibilities.

For the past bunch of years, we’ve enjoyed our family tradition of welcoming in the New Year. We bring in our favorite food from a local Indian restaurant, play games, watch movies, stay up late and eat junk food.  Yes, I know.  Junk food isn’t the healthiest choice. However, it’s the one night we let ourselves indulge without guilt. Part of our tradition also includes writing in our New Year’s journal. After dinner, while still around the table, we record our memories of the year that has just ended and our goals for the year that’s about to begin.  We also like reading what we wrote the previous year to remember what happened and reflect on how we did with our goals.

So while I made time last night to think about my 2010 goals, today I have chosen not to act on them yet, but instead just enjoy this very quiet, still winter’s day with my family. We have a few more games, movies and left over food (nutritious and otherwise) to enjoy. Tomorrow is another day with plenty of time to begin again. By tomorrow, the Tate’s chocolate chip cookies, York Peppermint Patties and Haagen-Dazs Chocolate Chocolate Chip ice cream will be gone, which is a good thing. Their disappearance will make way for my “eating more healthfully” resolution.

I’d love to hear from you. If you would like to share one of your goals or resolutions for 2010, I welcome your thoughts.