We counted down. We clinked glasses over midnight toasts. We rang in the New Year (hopefully surrounded by loved ones!)

Several weeks into January, the New Year is well under way. I could jump into the ineffectiveness of New Year’s Resolutions, but you already know that wishful resolutions scarcely materialize without an action plan.

And that’s what I’d like to hone in on today: setting goals and taking action. The secret to really following through on your goals is setting benchmarks that you can measure on a monthly, weekly and even daily basis. If a goal can’t be tracked and measured, it’s a pipedream. And as business owners, entrepreneurs and salespeople eager to build thriving legacy businesses, who has time for that, really?

In the Legacy Business Blueprint program, I walk clients through a step-by-step process to overcoming obstacles and achieving better sales – one benchmark at a time – and hold them accountable each step of the way. It’s been a real privilege so far getting to know the many inspiring members of the program from a colorful spectrum of industries. Each one is committed to investing in their growth and making 2015 a “double-plus your income” year, and that commitment is a powerful thing.

As many of you know from experience, in business there are a lot of factors beyond your control, which can sometimes make following through on your action plan for 2015 daunting or disheartening. But – and this is key – you’ve got invaluable resources right at your fingertips.

I challenge you to look inward and identify what your God-given gifts and talents are. With the right guidance, you can learn to use your natural resources to grow yourself and your business. When you do your part by learning to consistently utilize these gifts, and maintain the right mindset, opportunities will inevitably open for you.

Learning to actualize your God-given potential is, in itself, a skill that requires practice. Here are a few helpful points that will bring you closer to capitalizing on these gifts:

1. Focus on your strengths. Now, this may seem straightforward, but it’s incredibly easy to get sucked into a negative mindset. By shifting your focus and making a conscious effort to concentrate on your strengths, you put yourself in a positive headspace that will allow you to thrive.
2. Exercise! Alright, while incorporating physical activity into your weekly routine will take the edge off and contribute to a healthier, more productive you, that’s not quite what I mean here. Exercise your unique gifts. Determine what you do well, and then do it again and again. As you succeed, it will give you the self-confidence to tackle other areas that may not be your strongest suits.
3. Dare to be Different. Don’t make the crippling mistake of trying to fit into a box to get ahead.. Embrace the unique person you are. By being yourself, both personally and professionally, your confidence and authenticity will ultimately attract the right kind of people and opportunities into your life.
4. Welcome criticism. Learning to cope with criticism is one of those tools that can, quite literally, transform your life. Have the humility to listen to those you respect and be open to hearing different viewpoints than your own. That doesn’t mean you need to win everyone’s approval, but sometimes constructive criticism can help you overcome roadblocks that hold you back from success.

So go on and use your “New Year” energy and enthusiasm to cultivate the gifts you have within you. By doing so consistently, you are setting yourself up to achieve great things this year. Need help taking action, setting effective benchmarks, maintaining the right mindset and learning the sales strategies that will catapult your business this year? Expedite that process by joining the Legacy Business Blueprint program today.