I became an entrepreneur again this year. The last time I hung out my shingle, in 2003, I launched an insurance agency. I had the knowledge; I had all the appropriate licenses. I had sales experience so I was confident that I could succeed. However, there was a key ingredient missing. Passion for the work. After two years, I had too little enthusiasm for the work to continue.

This time around, I am doing it differently. This summer I bought an established company that works right smack in the middle of my sweet spot. A company I have known and worked with for more than 15 years. As a business communicator, marketer, coach and consultant, I find the most satisfaction in the midst of chaos, being the voice of calm. I help companies plan for, prevent and mitigate crises. Think BP. Sony. Target data breach. I have a true passion for this work. It brings me a great deal of satisfaction.

Before I can be successful in business, I have to be a successful human being. If I don’t put myself first, no one will. I need to be my very best self in order to succeed in business. So, as we leave 2014 behind and begin anew in 2015, to try to be a better me, I resolve to:

• Nurture my body. I will endeavor to keep this promise to myself one day at a time. Workout: I will keep up the momentum I began when I bought the company, and endeavor to spend 60 minutes a day, six days a week, on the treadmill. Nutrition: I will seek more balance with my diet, and steer away from refined carbs and sugars as much as possible.

• Nurture my mind. Watch less TV, read more. Expand my library with new topics and ideas. Start learning a second language. Share good ideas with my network. Ask for good ideas from my network.

• Nurture my spirit. Be present in my own life and in the lives of those I care about. Spend more quality time with my husband. Reconnect with past friends and colleagues. Spend more time working with the nonprofit on whose board I serve.
To grow and succeed with my business, I resolve to:

• Have a destination in mind and a plan to get there. Be flexible enough for a detour here and there, so long as I stay focused on the goal. That means doing the basics well, and delivering on every commitment.

• Seek partnership opportunities. Build relationships with complementary companies and explore ways to help one another succeed.

• Keep up with my filing. OK, this one may sound a bit lame, but it has been a challenge my entire career (I detest filing!). I’m going to start on this one today and get all the 2014 paperwork filed so I am ready to start clean this Thursday. Really. No, really.

My wish for you is that 2015 is better than 2014, whatever that means for you. Put the past behind, for you cannot change it. Worry less about the future, and don’t get stressed about the things you can’t change. Take today and make the most of it, for the present is the best gift you will receive.

Happy New Year!