As we close 2009, many of us are thinking about new beginnings – about what 2010 will bring. Don’t get me wrong, I am too. But as I finish up my business planning for this next year, I believe it’s imperative to acknowledge the successes of the last.

So often we just move on to the next thing, without simply celebrating what we’ve just done. The past year may or may not have brought you everything you thought you wanted, but what did it bring? Stopping to recognize it is fundamental in bringing in even better things in the new year.

As I just completed this exercise, I am delighted with the major things I accomplished that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. The steps I’ve taken (and am acknowledging) will no doubt have a huge impact on my results for next year. I now fondly close out 2009, and look forward to even bigger successes. But if I hadn’t stopped and actually written them down…spent some time with them, I would likely have only focused on the things I felt were left undone. Now, what way is that to carry on into 2010? What do you think that would bring more of?

Have you taken the time to acknowledge the things – big or small – that you accomplished this year: personal, business, family or otherwise? Consider that in your New Year’s celebration.

And…Happy New Year! May 2010 be your most abundant and prosperous year yet.