January 1 is fact approaching and for billions of people, New Year's represents a fresh start with new opportunities and new goals. These goals, known to most as New Year's resolutions, make our pulses go up just thinking about them.

But do our hearts beat faster because we are excited to set those new goals? Or because we know we're heading into another year of unattained resolutions and un-kept promises to ourselves?

Just the though of New Year's resolutions can make a calm person nervous and set fear into the hearts of even the bravest of souls. Naturally, we would all like to lose some weight, save money and spend more quality time with those we love. Not to want such things would be downright inhuman.

Yet here we are again in the middle of December, we haven't lost a single pound, saved any more money and people we love still complain that they don't see us enough. Sound familiar?

So while we all would like to have the body of an Olympian, the bank account of Bill Gates and relationships that would make Dr. Phil proud, our own realities are likely destined for something less than the world's greatest. And nobody can be the greatest in all facets of life anyway. Bill Gates is certainly no Olympic athlete, and anybody who spends all day working out doesn't have Gates money either. This is all fine because less than the very best still has plenty of room or greatness and all greatness starts with improvement... one small step at a time.

To be continued.