Planning for a wonderful year is a nice idea at this time of year. So, here are some tips to do just that.

To plan is a process whereby you find out what you want, find out what you have and then decide what steps to take to get from where you are or what you have to where you want to be or what you want to have. A plan consists of a series of steps which eventually should lead to your goal.

1) Decide your goals. Very simply what do you want? Make it positive, specific, under your influence and something which is worth getting having more good points than bad points.

2) Decide where you are and what you have got. Decide what level you are at now and how near or far away you are from achieving your goals.

3) What do you need to do this year in order to achieve your goals. Outline the steps that you need to take and the times you need to take them in order for you to achieve each goal this year. .

4) Imagine achieving your goals and notice how you feel. Now think of the steps you will have to take in order to achieve the goals and notice whether or not they are worth it or not. This provides you with the knowledge that the goals are worth achieving and allows you to become more motivated and disciplined towards achieving them.

5) Decide on an exact sequence and time scale for all the actions that must be taken in order for you to achieve these goals. This is an essential step and although you may allow some flexibility for certain circumstances or events, it is important that you keep to this sequence of events as strictly as possible.

6) Note down any challenges or problems that you have faced over the last year. Bring them through the Problem Filter as suggested below. Planning a wonderful year means that you alos must be aware of the problems that came your way before and ensuring that you deal with them more effectively should they emerge this year!!

7) Note down any potential challenges or problems you may face this year while attempting to achieve your goals as stated. Put them through the problem filter In order to ensure that you have thought out things in the most useful way, it's an important idea to make sure you know how to deal with any problems that lie in your way of achieving your goals.

The Problem Filter.

The Problem Filter is made up of four steps.

1) State the problem in one sentence.

2) State the Goal or reason why the problem is a problem in one sentence.

3) Imagine looking at it from a different point of view. Give 5 suggestions as to how you would solve the problem and what the person needs to do about the problem.

4) Decide on an action plan for each of the 5 suggestions and carry the actions out.