Happy New Year! 2012 is here just as I get used to dating documents 2011. I trust you enjoyed the holiday season. I confess the ten days off were wonderful for spending time with my family. As is often the case, the time off gave me an opportunity to reflect.

I clearly remember Christmas as a child. I remember the building anticipation of the hoped-for toy or bicycle. Unfortunately for my parents, the excitement meant they were sending me back to my room Christmas morning as early as 4 a.m. so they could get some sleep. Over the years, though, I realized and continue to learn how much satisfaction there is in celebrating what I do have rather than the anticipation of that next thing.

The New Year invites resolutions. I, the ever compulsive goal setter, can hardly contain myself. It is a new year, a clean slate, and there is so much I want to do and become. A few more years under the belt have taught me, though, the value of truly and consistently focusing on honing or developing  skills and strengths that already make me unique rather than trying to become someone else. If a great journey begins with a step, then my better education begins with the next book or my healthier lifestyle begins with the next workout and meal.

And yes, I share these reflections because they tie-in closely with what I so often struggle with as a financial planner and investment advisor. First, I will do well celebrating what we already have and not simply anticipating that ‘next thing’. Sure, I’d love to see Europe solve its sovereign debt problems. I’d like our federal government to work together in reasonable ways to solve real problems. I can hardly wait for the economy to show dramatic signs of improvement leading to rapid declines in the unemployment rate. And of course I can’t wait to be able to look back on a decade of spectacular market performance. Perhaps, though, with open eyes and a little reflection, there truly is a lot already to celebrate and for which to be thankful.

Progress with our financial plan, for most of us, will be step by step and not an immediate metamorphosis. We simply need to honestly assess what we have, what we do well, improvements that can be made, and simply take that next step.

Thank you to each of you for the ongoing opportunity to serve you with your planning and investment needs.  We at Sage look forward to a new year of working alongside you and helping you take the appropriate steps to keep moving the right direction.

Written by Russell D Cole, CLU, ChFC