In just a few days, we’ll usher out 2017 and toast to the beginning of a prosperous New Year!

But many entrepreneurs aren’t quite in the celebrating spirit.

As the last days of 2017 slip away, they wonder where the time went. Unfortunately, this is a time when many entrepreneurs fixate on all the goals they failed to reach this past year.

The more ambitious the goals, the more disappointing the let down when they don’t materialize exactly as we hoped they would.

Can you relate?

If you’re feeling down that you didn’t reach the finish line, you’re not alone.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling disappointed, frustrated and full of regret for missed opportunities.

I use the word “trap” intentionally. You see, these self-critical feelings often aren’t fleeting; rather, they plant themselves deeply within us and follow us into the New Year. Entrepreneurs who focus on failures and shortcomings wind up trapped in a toxic cycle of negativity. This hinders their ability to perform, produce, and thrive in the next year.

So, what can you do to break the cycle?

Breaking the cycle involves challenging yourself to transform your mindset. With days until we ring in the New Year, we have a choice. We can let our minds race with thoughts that we should be further along on the journey to building a Legacy Business.

Or, we can choose to focus on finding ways to motivate ourselves to make the changes necessary to achieve RESULTS.

Achieving Success is a Process

We live in a society where we celebrate large accomplishments. In our personal lives, we get together to celebrate major milestones like anniversaries, major birthdays, graduations, engagements, weddings, births and promotions. In our professional lives, we celebrate hitting major milestones like reaching your annual sales and revenue goals.

We tell ourselves a story that we’ll be successful when we reach $100,000+ in annual revenues, save enough to put a 20% down payment on a new home, or land at least 100 clients this year.

Make no mistake – these are important goals. But reaching them is a process. Reaching major goals is a journey that involves many small milestones – and obstacles – along the way.

To maintain the positive mindset necessary to persevere through this journey, entrepreneurs need to celebrate these small victories.

Celebrate the Small Victories

In the past 12 months, you have made strides forward. Did you attend any networking or industry events? Did you earn any new accounts? Did you produce any marketing or branding materials? Did you build relationships with new referral partners? These are all victories, and it’s important that you recognize them and give yourself credit.

Every small victory is another step closer to reaching your ultimate goal of building a prosperous Legacy Business.

Don’t allow your failures to overshadow these victories. Sometimes you need to experience a set-back in order to move forward with purpose. Learn lessons from these set-backs that can catapult your personal growth – and your business – to the next level.

To succeed in 2018, you need to hit the ground running. One of the best ways to do that is to make sure you’re in a good headspace. Taking the time NOW to celebrate your partial victories will give you the energy and momentum necessary to implement your plan for success, overcome new obstacles, and reach greater milestones come January.

Celebrate Your Support Team

Just as it is important to acknowledge your own successes, it’s equally important to recognize those who have played a supportive role in your journey. Make time before New Year’s to express your gratitude to those who helped you reach your achievements, large or small. Without God, your partner or spouse, your children, your employees or your team, you wouldn’t have been able to achieve these victories. Let them know you’re grateful for their love, their patience, their encouragement, and their time. Expressing your appreciation is a crucial part of maintaining healthy relationships and maintaining a solid support system that will empower you to LEARN, GROW, ACHIEVE, and PROSPER in 2018.

Plan A Victory Celebration

My husband and I usher in New Year’s with what we call a “Victory Celebration”. Our celebration entails taking stock of all our accomplishments from the past year, including the little ones. We also share the goals we’ve set for the coming year and the detailed plans we’ve laid out to help us achieve them.

Why do we uphold this tradition? Our Victory Celebrations empower us to enter the new year with more confidence, motivation and focus.

Here’s My Challenge to You….

This New Year’s, join us in celebrating your 2017 victories! Rather than dwelling on the milestones you didn’t reach, celebrate the hurdles you overcame, both in your personal life and professional life.

Then, learn what action steps you can take TODAY to make 2018 the year you succeed in launching your Legacy Business to new heights.

At Celeste Giordano Coaching, I teach entrepreneurs the practical strategies and tools they need to “Double Plus” their income this year. If you need support, accountability and guidance from someone with over 40 years of in-the-trenches experience building her own Legacy Business, contact me. I’m deeply passionate about empowering entrepreneurs to succeed in living a life of their own design.

But first, pop that champagne bottle and celebrate your 2017 success – you deserve it!

Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed, prosperous, and profitable New Year in 2018, 

Celeste Giordano

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Celeste Giordano’s mission is to help business owners develop the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to “double-plus” their income and become effective and inspirational leaders in their fields. Whether it’s taking your successful business to the next level or starting a new venture, she will teach you the exact skills and strategies you need to enroll more quality prospects, build a rock-solid team, and break through obstacles to achieve real profit and lasting success. Celeste is a professional business growth specialist, a master sales strategist, and dynamic speaker with 40 years experience in direct sales and managing high-performing teams.

To learn more about Celeste, click here.

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