On the professional side of the equation, now is the time to be taking stock of what has worked over the past year in our home business. It is also time to take stock of what areas need improvement. In that regard, much emphasis — perhaps too much — is typically placed on mega wish lists of all the new things we plan to explore and implement in the upcoming year. But without proper attention to the science behind goal setting (more on that later), much of the effort will be for naught. Change will not come about without a clear plan to make it happen because as we all know, the devil is in the details.

My suggestion for today is to make a list of last year’s successes.

What is working well for your business? Figure it out, put it in writing, and resolve to build upon your areas of strength in the New Year. If you wish to see massive results, you need a massive effort and this is best accomplished from a position of strength — not weakness. Consider this idea when making your home business resolutions.

For me professionally, in this last year, my biggest area of strength have been twofold:

1. Our standing business presentations in the community continue to draw very talented people interested in our message. The economy is bad and that simple fact is driving folks to explore other options.

2. I speak Spanish and love working in my second language. Recently, I’ve made a concerted effort to reach out to the Hispanic Community and the results have been promising.

In the New Year I am resolving to double the attendance at our community business presentations and to set up a parallel presentation schedule in Spanish.

Happy New Year and I wish you and your home business continued success in 2009!