Resolutions for a New Decade: 2010

Not only can you resolve to make accomplishments this year, but make and keep track of goals and tasks for the next ten years. Ten years!? Yes, ten years is plenty of time to make a plan, execute it, and succeed. Before you ditch this idea, think about what you were doing ten years ago...

Probably thinking that you were glad Y2K didn't happen and that all was as good as normal. Now think about what you could have done in the past ten years to have bettered your life. Those ideas are what you'll focus on when making your "2010 Decade Plan."

Make a list. Check it twice. It doesn't matter if you're naughty or nice. This list is all things you want to do. It doesn't matter how trivial or important they are, just write them down. If you can't think of anything you want to do, look at www.43things.com.This website is a giant to-do list from people around the world. Get some ideas from other people, write them down, and decide what you want to do next.

Got your list? Great. Now, you want to break it down. Mark the goals that can be accomplished in one setting (in an hour or a day) with a star. Mark the goals that will take longer with another symbol, such as a square, triangle or whatever makes sense to you.

Write the goals with a star beside them on another list. These are goals you will accomplish this year. Even if you can only do one per week, at least you will be on your road to succeeding. The other goals will be for later.

Pretend it's later. Now the other goals may be items that need prep work, such as saving money for a trip or you want to become a professional photographer. Get a clean piece of paper and write one of these goals at the top of the page. Now write out a list of what you need to do to obtain this goal.

For example, if you want to be a professional photographer, you're going to need money to buy a camera and batteries. You might want to take a photography class or join a photography club. Maybe you want your own photo lab in your home. These goals need plans. They don't happen overnight.

So how do you achieve these long-term plans? By setting short-term goals for each step to get to the bigger goal. For example, first you have to save money for a professional camera. Set a date that you want to have money saved by and stick to it. Next, set a date for when you want to have your dark room created. You get the drift.

Having goals can give you hope, stimulate your well-being and can help you to live a happier life. Whether it's getting out of debt, getting in shape, or doing something that makes you happy, a goal is worth sticking to and achieving in order to get the final results