Have you ever wondered why — other than the date on the calendar changing — we're expected to succeed at new things and turn our lives around in January. Seriously. Why is that? It's cold. It's dark. Some days you have to wear 5 layers just to get the mail. Not exactly the most energizing, motivating season.

Yet, most of us set our new goals in January and February. We work on them a little bit, but then spring comes and we get a "spring fever." It's hard to concentrate on work. Then comes summer and vacation. Next thing you know, it's fall and we're stressed and guilty because we haven't made enough progress and the year's almost over.

So, why not start in autumn instead? Even more so than New Year, I think fall brings an expectation of new exciting possibilities. We're rested and relaxed after our vacations (hopefully) and glad to be back to routines, friends, colleagues — life.

This is the time to make New Year's resolutions. Forget January; now is the time to start working toward new goals. Research. Decide on a strategy. Make contacts. Get. To. Work.

"I learned this, at least; that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours. ... If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them." ~ Henry David Thoreau, Walden

Imagine where you want to be next year. What do you want to accomplish in 2011?

Start building the foundations for those castles today, and you just might get to move in next year.