Today is January 15th, of course it’s not too late! There’s never a deadline for making assessments of the past and setting goals for the future. In fact, now is the perfect time.

Full disclosure: I’m not a big resolutions kind of gal. There’s too much pressure to stick to them, and many of us stumble in keeping them. A goal, however, is a measurable and achievable thing. It’s a win to work towards. Achievement feels rewarding and gives momentum to continue and achieve bigger.

So you have some work goals. Kick-off meetings are in full swing and corporate goals have been finessed and delivered. And you have some family goals. The holidays allowed you to hit the re-set button and assess personal goals for yourself and your family.

Now is the tricky part – melding the two. It’s always a delicate balance. While family will always hold the trump card, you have obligations at work and work supports your family. Here are my suggestions as you map out your quarter or your year:

• Categorize the goals – are they strategic, operational, educational or organizational? This gives you some direction.
• Think about the steps you need to take to achieve the goals. List them. Assign dates to them. This all helps them feel more tangible and achievable.
• Assign deadlines and pick your top three goals. When those goals are met, re-assess and keep going.

There are going to be days that you get nowhere near your goal, and other days that the lens focused on your goal seems so perfectly crystallized. Remember that any movement is just that – movement. Put one foot in front of the other and think about the bigger picture. You WILL get there!

A few weeks ago, my tennis team traveled to Tucson, Arizona, and did something that very few players ever get a chance to do – we won a U.S. Tennis Association National Championship. It was the pinnacle of a year-long journey that we dreamt of, hoped for and worked towards; and countless hours spent playing, practicing and getting tough.

It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, no doubt. And an accomplishment for which I am beyond proud.

So why do I feel so sad?

As it turns out, post-success let-down after a big achievement is extremely common. The culmination of anything that requires prolonged time, effort, and energy can bring it about – a big race, a wedding, a big project. The drop in brain chemicals (dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, oxytocin) can make you feel exhausted and depleted.

A period of recovery is necessary, yet achievers forget this so easily. We are groomed to be industrious and effective, but not to allow for recovery or transition.

So what can you do to get yourself through this recovery period? Here are four tips:

1. Recognize that emotional ups and downs are normal after something big. Even something positive can bring about sadness and fatigue.

2. Keep your schedule light. Don’t expect that you will have the energy to jump back into reality with verve.

3. Pamper yourself. You just achieved something great. Reward yourself. Focus on simple pleasures.

4. Work structure back in gradually. Take it in stages. Don’t take on a new project right away.

We all have such high aspirations that we often forget to be kind to ourselves. Achievement and success are wonderful things. But so is recovery. Allow yourself that. Always.