There is a difference between just wanting to win and a deeply committed passionate purpose filled drive and desire to win. And the good news is the difference maker is you.

We have made commitments and resolutions, have defined goals and objectives earlier in the year, and for some we have sales quotas and revenue targets to hit by Dec. 31. Some of us have already surpassed our goals, others are close and, unfortunately, some are way behind. But it doesn’t matter because the difference maker is still you.

If you have already met or exceeded your expectations, great, but don’t get lazy now. Start planning and preparing for success in 2010. If you are close stay focused and committed to your plan while stepping up your effort and work ethic to find success. And if you aren’t even close or maybe have written the year off already, get back in the game. If your targets or goals for 2009 seem too big or just too much of a stretch now, don’t quit. Instead re-establish new short-term goals that you can achieve between now and the end of the year. Achieving those new smaller victories will help create momentum that you can sustain into next year.

There are no quick fixes, no magic pills or potions and no silver bullets. But there is a one thing that can make all the difference in how this year will end and how next year will begin and that one thing is you. Your persistence and perseverance every day will trump the perceived barriers to personal achievement. Outwork the challenges, outsmart the naysayers, and unravel those self imposed limitations to reap the rewards of success. The sense of accomplishment of a small goal or win places us directly in the path of even greater triumphs. So again, if you have given up on a goal or resolution because you are too far away, today, right now, immediately begin thinking about smaller near term goals. It’s not quitting time, it’s time for you to shine.

The same holds true for any team, company or organization trying to reach year-end commitments. Focusing on a goal that was set 11 months ago and that has no realistic shot at achievement now is more of a de-motivator than anything else. Wake your team up with some new near term objectives that everyone can rally around. What can we accomplish as a team today, this week, this month, and do together that will give us a lift and confidence boost as we finish 2009 on a positive note and enter 2010 with renewed purpose and passion?

Lastly, remember to celebrate all victories large and small, celebrate the individual milestones achieved and the team successes, and know that success begets success.

Let me know where you are in the pursuit of your goals and how I can help you finish the year strong at msnorton@comcast.net and make it a better than good week!

Michael Norton, a resident of Highlands Ranch, is the former president of the Zig Ziglar organization and CEO and founder of www.candogo.com.