As the new year begins, resolutions and plans are made that, for many, may not survive past the first quarter of the year. Perhaps, this sounds familiar to you. It may be an old pattern keeps you from even beginning to create plans for 2003. You know it won't make any difference because it never has before.

Or, for others, creating a plan seems like a good idea right now, but you may find your old habits have a pretty strong hold on you. Without making the changes that are necessary to get different results, by March, you may find it is business as usual. And then, there are those who are excited about the changes that will be made in 2003, have a plan and are focused and ready to go.

Regardless of which group you belong to, here's a simple suggestion to increase your effectiveness in the coming year. You can short-circuit the past from repeating itself yet again this year, if you belong to one of the first two groups described. Instead of making promises you know you won't ultimately keep (pipedreams, I call them). Let go of the thought that self-discipline is the ONLY way for you to generate the business you want. Shift your focus to a different area-your own personal excellence.

This year, upgrade your personal operating system. No, I am not talking about your computer….I am talking about the elements that make you who you are. The Laws of Attraction show people like to be around happy, positive, fun people. We draw to us the people and situations we need when we are ready and have the space to let them in. Stop with some of the busyness that doesn't create growth, and take consistent action towards becoming a better businessperson this year.

Here are some questions to start this inquiry:

• What skills do you excel in and which would be fun to be upgrade?
• What people do you know that are sources of referral business for you and who would be good to add for more referral business?
• What designations have you earned and which new ones would give you an increased edge with the clients you serve?
• What groups that you are a member of contribute to your success and which are just comfortable time-wasters?
• What new groups would be fun and expand you this year?
• What new benefits can you offer your clients?

Coach's Action Tip

Make yourself a list of areas that you are interested in upgrading this year:

• Think of your business from as many different perspectives as you can, seeing where your natural strengths already bring business to you. Look critically at your business numbers from last year to see a true picture of where your business was generated from.
• Consider and list marketplace trends and new consumer needs/wants
• Make a list the new tools or other things you know would make you more productive
• List some new ways to provide value for your past customers or clients

Now, in the coming year, keep these lists handy and each day, take an action to upgrade.

One way to make sure you will take action is to choose something fun and easy. It may seem this isn't how serious business is supposed to look (who said so?). Get over it!

Just resolve to learn something every day, to add one more person to your team or to add a new benefit for your clients that is the easiest one to do right now. It might be as simple as calling your favorite client and asking him/her what their biggest worry was in buying (or selling) and using this R&D to brainstorm a way to make that safer or less daunting for the rest of your clients, by discussing it or creating a free report addressing it.

In short, when you focus each day on upgrading, even just a little, the cumulative effect over the year will astound you. You'll be taking action you enjoy and that is fun and you will attract business. It may even be your best year ever!