A fellow with whom I am acquainted, a married man in his 40s, has just retired after a few years as a broker. Regrettably, the reason for his retirement is not the fabulous riches he accumulated at a young age, but the rather more common problem in this difficult industry: He just didn't make it. He couldn't generate enough business. He's now training to be a therapist.

Even advisors who have managed to build a sustainable business can sympathize with this unlucky fellow's plight. We know how tough business is these days; we've all stared down the abyss. Most of us have our own fiscal cliffs to contend with, if for no other reason than that our clients from whom our revenue comes are facing theirs.

Indeed, the business environment in 2013 is likely to be challenging. Even if we manage to dodge a new recession, we are entering a period of sustained slower growth. But don't let grim statistics deter you. While the economy and the industry can support fewer financial advisors, you can be one of the myriad successful ones. It's a new year, filled with new opportunities. And if you are finding business slow, perhaps all you need is to make some business resolutions and stick to them to turn things around.