Whilst you were sitting on beach or lazing around during your time off, which of following changes to your life did you decide to make this year?

To have body of Elle McPherson or Nathan Buckley Find a stimulating job Take up a sport or hobby Buy your dream home Travel to an exotic destination Have more time with your family Establish your own business Double your income Become involved in community Develop your creativity Improve your skills Create a plan for your financial future Have more fun Enhance your current relationship or find a new partner All of above To help you channel your energy into achieving this year's goals, here are some practical ways to get started. After all, there is no reason why you shouldn't start immediately, is there?

How to Get Started

1. Write a list of what you want to achieve this year. 2. Make sure what you've written down is specific, measurable and attainable. e.g. Lose 5 kgs . ..by 30/2/05. 3. Write no.1 against most important goal. Write no.2 against next most important goal.

Continue numbering rest of goals.

4. Look at goal with no.1 next to it. i.e. lose 5 kilos. Start a separate list with heading . .. Lose 5 kilos. by 28/2/05 5. Write down action steps you need to take to achieve this goal:

a. Join gym b. Decide which specific days and times you will attend c. Purchase gym gear d. See nutritionist

6. Enter action steps into your diary/electronic organiser on day(s) you will do these:

Jan 15th - join gym Jan 16th - book nutritionist Attend gym Monday/Wednesday/Friday at 6.00 a.m. Ensure when you book time for yourself in your diary you treat it as a top priority. Unless there is an earthquake or equally devastating disaster occurring, keep that time sacred.

To ensure your goals are achieved it is imperative to write them down and then plan appropriate steps to take in your diary. Otherwise your goals could end up being wishful thinking!

Goal/Dream Chart Having visual reminders is a great way to prompt and keep you motivated to follow through. Cut out a picture of body you'd like to have from a magazine and stick a photo of your head on top of it. Alternatively if you want to recapture way you were some time ago, find an old photo of yourself. You can place these on your desktop, car dashboard and fridge at home.

Do this for your other goals (minus head). In fact having a dream chart with pictures or words of things you want to achieve is a great stimulus for your sub-conscious mind. Sticking these reminders onto green paper is even more effective. I have one of these in my office and guess what? It actually works!

For some of you next few days will either be frantic or quiet, depending on business you are in.

I hope those of you who are quiet are spending your time wisely planning what you want to achieve for 2005.

For rest of you no doubt, January will be time when future plans will be made.

Regardless of when you do it, you need to plan where you want to be personally and professionally this time next year.

If there is no planning or goalsetting, you will continue to meander along and take what life dishes out to you. You'll be reactive, not proactive.

When you know where you are going, you can work out steps to get there.

Do a Personal Stocktake Write down answers to these questions:

What have I achieved this year? What do I want to achieve by end of 2005? What skills, courses, people do I need to help me reach my goals for next year? List specific ACTIONS you need to take. Plan in your diary when you will carry them out. This last step is very important. You can have all great intentions in world yet if you don't commit specifically when you are going to act, your goals may end up being wishful thinking and never eventuate.

If you are a leader in your organisation, do same exercise with your people.