Twenty Ten we are off and running . . .

Happy New Year everyone!

2010 is here so out with the old and somewhat bad times during the last ten years and in with the new decade!  I want to wish all of my blog readers a very Happy New Year.  I hope that 2010 is a great year for everybody!!

One dilemma I have been having as this day approached is how to say it or talk about the year.  Writing it seemed easy but in conversation it brings up somewhat of a debate between us.

I remember when the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey" came out, the title rolled off the tongue so easily.  TWO THOUSAND and ONE.  It sounded right and it never occurred to me that perhaps that naming was not consistent with other year naming practices, if not downright incorrect.

So, as the millennium approached, and we all began to get caught up in the excitement . . . or dread . . . of not only the year changing, but also the decade, and also the century, we all named the year TWO THOUSAND. When the next year rolled around, I was saying TWO THOUSAND and ONE like the movie title.

Twenty Ten is what I’m calling it and I am astounded that we are 10 years away from everyone fretting about what would happen on Y2K.  Could that have actually been ten years ago?

To each of you who visit me on my humble little blog, I thank you.  I wish each of you a blessed New Year, may you have all that you desire for a fulfilling year with health, happiness, love and a good life.  Thank you for visiting me, and for leaving sweet comments.  I appreciate each and every single one of you . . .

It's the New Year and time to think about what we've accomplished . . . what we've experienced . . . and what we've learned last year.  It's also a time to think about whether we "stay the course for 2010 or make a few "course corrections."

What were your business and personal highlights for 2009?  Start making the list right now.  It's always fun to think about the good stuff that happened in your business or life so really think about it and be sure you don't miss anything.

Now for the not so fun part.  Make a list of your biggest or most impacting missteps for 2009.  What opportunities did you miss?  And, if you missed some BIG ones, I hope you feel awful about missing them.  I'm not trying to be nasty, but the old saying "stung once" is the best medicine for not being "stung" a second time.

Look at both of your lists as they both represent a good portion of your business or personal road map for 2010.  The first list represents your expressway travel . . . cruising in the fast lane building business and profitability.  The same can be said about your personal life.  The goal for 2010 is to extend those highways and byways to success and happiness.

Your second list shows the "pot-holes" you want to miss for 2010.  Sure, everyone hits a pot-hole or two but the goal for this year is to hit less pot-holes or bumps as you navigate the coming year.  Identifying things now gives you have a map that hopefully will help you have a smooth trouble free year.

Too many people . . . too many businesses are in a "I wish" or "I want" mode way of thinking.

"Wishing" and "wanting" without action has never really accomplished much of anything for anybody over the years.  It's only by ACTION, "trying" and "doing" that we get anything accomplished.  It's only by planning to succeed and then "working" the plan can we ever expect the result we want.

If you took the time to make the two lists I suggested, you have a start on putting together your "2010 Plan."  But this is only the "tip of the iceberg" in planning your New Year's success.  At least it's a step in the right direction. Take action and the time to “just do it!"

I used to have a saying hung in my office.

"Vision without action is a daydream.  Action without vision is a nightmare."

I’m not sure who said it, as I think it is a Japanese Proverb.  Either way its wise words to live by.

Have a great year . . . do not let things bog you down!

Ice