Look backward before you look forward.

This is the time of the year to make plans for 2010! But before we start, let's take a little time to look back at 2009 and ask ourselves some questions.

• What things did I get accomplished in the past year?
• What was my biggest surprise in 2009?
• What was by biggest disappointment?
• What new things did I learn in the past year?
• What new friends did I make?
• Did my career go as expected or hoped?
• What item was I lacking that would improve my productivity at my work-from-home job?
• What limited my accomplishments… money? time? commitment? clarity?
• Where was I on January 1, 2009? Where will I be on January 1, 2010? Am I better or worse off? Why? Do I have control over these factors?

Take time to answer these questions honestly and you'll likely see the faint outline of your 2010 plan emerging.