Never mind the new year.

It would be ideal for each of us to start anew on the same day at the same time. We'd all be on our best behavior, working through a fresh set of goals, and taking on the world with the best perspective on our lives and the future in general.

However, for many of us, our new year was a month ago, when we received feedback from our performance evaluation. Or last season, when the next program cycle rolled around. Or last year, even, on the first day of a new job. We may be (1) on track with the goals we created for ourselves, (2) not fully accepting of the fact that we need goals to succeed, or (3) we put aside our best intentions to set goals altogether.

Whatever the case, we don't always need to set new goals to pursue new ambitions. A new perspective on a situation, or a change that's outside of our control, may do the trick. Never mind a new year. We should be most compelled to go after the goals right in front of us when:

• We start to take our career more seriously now than ever before
   

• Others begin to take our work more seriously now than ever before
   

• We're inspired by someone else's new beginning and want to ride the wave of the notion of a fresh start
   

• There's been a major change to the daily work--a new boss or new project--that resets our priorities and restarts the clock to prove ourselves

Yes, make the most of the new year. And, more importantly, make the most of the rest of your year.