a year of amazing: how to make this one the best yet

 


You know, I have a good feeling about 2010. There's something about that nice, round number that makes me feel calm, makes me think this year is going to be a really good one. When I was searching for an image to use for this post and came across the one above, I was super excited. I have high hopes for the year and the picture I found seemed to echo them perfectly. While I really am trying to live in the moment and focus on what's happening right now, I can't help but look to the future of 2010 and have hope that it's going to be an amazing year. Of course, the reason I think it's going to be an amazing year is because I plan to make it an amazing year. In 2009 I learned one thing for certain: your life is what you make it. 

Prior to last year, it was so easy for me to fall into routines and patterns, thinking that everything just happened because that's the way it went. Though of course the thought had crossed my mind, I didn't realize just how powerful my own abilities were. I didn't realize that I really could take control of my life and spend my time in ways that were productive and healthy. It was a really hard year, but it was a really great year. I learned more about myself in those 12 months than in all the 26 years that had come before them. The other day I read this quote by Charles Richards: 

 
"Don't be fooled by the calendar. 
There are only as many days in the year as you make use of."
 

When I read that, I thought to myself, "Wow. That's really true." I thought back on the years before, all of the days I'd wasted, and then I thought of last year and how I'd done my best to make every day worthwhile. Sure, they weren't all great days and they weren't all filled with productive, positive activities, but, for the most part, I can say that I made the most of my days in 2009. Having spent a year that way, I cannot imagine going back to the way it was before, to those days I spent lying on the couch, watching TV or thinking negative thoughts. After the year I've had, I just cannot imagine going back. 

What I can imagine, however, is going forward to an awesome year in 2010. Part of me, admittedly, is a little nervous about my hopes for the year. What if 2010 isn't as great as 2009? What if I don't change and grow and learn so much, the way I did last year? What if I'm setting my expectations too high and I reach the end of the year feeling let down? This post is all about putting those "what-ifs" aside and developing a plan to make 2010 even better than 2009. With a plan in place, I just know 2010 can be -- will be -- amazing. 

How To Make 2010 Your Best Year Yet

Get excited. Stop and think right now about what gets you excited. If you had a day to do anything you wanted to do, what would it be? What is that thing that, when it crosses your mind, leaves you feeling so overjoyed or pumped up that you can barely sit still? Keep that thought in your mind, keep doing whatever it is that makes you that happy, and keep surrounding yourself with people who support those things that make you oh-so-excited. You need to support yourself. You need to do the things that make you the happiest. And you need to have people in your life that support your happiness. 

Get involved. Now is the time to get involved in what it is that excites you. No, not next month or later in the year. NOW. Think back to the things or activities or people that get you excited and ask yourself, "How can I become more involved? How can I get into that, and experience those feelings, even more often than I already do?" You need to be doing whatever it is that you love most in the world. You need to be figuring out a way to be involved with what you love most and to be involved with it as often as you can.

Get going. Now that you've identified what you want to do and how you can become more involved in it, it's time to get going. 2010 may have just begun, but it will be over before you know it. Don't put off the things you want to do. The year will be shorter than you imagine it to be. You will find yourself at the end of it, thinking,"What did I do this year?" Don't let yourself get to the end of the year without doing what it is that you really, truly want to do. It's a new year, a new decade, and it's time to get going! 



For me, last year was a good one and it's inspired me to make this one even better. But if you didn't feel like 2009 was everything you wanted it to be, now is your chance to change things. I believe you can start change at any time, but why not embrace it now when everyone else is so into it? If you want your life to be different, make it different. If you're looking for some inspiration, check out some of these posts: 

 
Stop, Drop, & Roll: How to Prepare for Change

You CAN Have It All: 8 Tips for Balancing Work and Life

Breaking the Spell of Someday

Let's Go! 5 Steps for Getting on the Road to Your Goal

Change Your Mind About Change

 

Photo credit: (♥) 

Comments

[Brett - DareToExpress.com]

Hey Dani!

Can't we wait to get going when it's actually 2010 - it's still 2009 at the moment! I feel like holding back and really attacking my goals once 2010 really starts. That's what most bloggers seem to be doing; not posting and saving all the good content up for 2009. Shame they're withholding their gifts from the world, but it's their choice.

Man, I digress so much.

Anyway - I've got an amazing feeling about 2010 as well. Should be the best year of my life thus far, although 2009 will be a tough act to follow considering the incredible transformation I went through during the past year (you must know what that's like :) ). It's unbelievable to see what I've done, but now that I'm being something close to my best self all the time I can't help but think 2010 will be even better.

Happy New Year to you!

[Oscar - freestyle mind]

Hey Dani, I liked this post a lot! I'm sure you'll have an awesome 2010 and I wish you all the best :)

[Henri @ Wake Up Cloud]

I have an excellent feeling about 2010 as well, Dani. I think it will bring some amazing changes locally and globally. It's pretty amazing how we can go from negative to positive. It's just something that snaps inside of us and makes us go "no more!"

You can't be let down by 2010 when you're following your passion. Everything that happens is supposed to in some way or another, at least that's what I think. I agree with the get going tip. Taking action is something I am stressing to everyone right now. Just start!

[positively present]

Brett - Me too! I feel like 2010 will be an extension of 2009 for me and I'm excited about that because 2009 was awesome. Happy New Year!

Oscar - Thank you! I hope your 2010 is awesome too! :)

Henri - Yes, it really is amazing how we can change and start thinking positively. I really think 2010 is going to be a year of great change and of great promise. Very good point about following your passion. Now that I'm doing what I love to do -- writing -- all the time, it's very hard to be let down. Happy New Year to you!

[Lori]

Hi Dani (and fellow RAOKA chicka extraordinaire),

I love round numbers - I have a feeling I have a touch of Asperger's Syndrome, maybe? I used to think numbers were people when I was a kid (e.g., 8 was a snowman, 7 - a business man, 2 - a ballerina, and 9 - a circus clown).

Anyhoo - when I saw your comment about 2010 being a nice, round number I thought, "Exactly! Someone sees what I see!"

Thanks for adding the Charles Richards quote, too, - I LOVE IT! Great reading your post today, Dani. Keep up the great work!
~xo

[positively present]

Lori - I love that you thought of numbers that way! How cool! I can totally see what you mean about all of those. My favorite number is 23, so I can't say that I'm always drawn to the round numbers, but there's something about 2010 that seems very stable. I'm so glad you liked the post and the quote. Thanks for commenting! :)

[Hayden Tompkins]

Taking action is a HUGE part of my New Year's 'plan' so I loved what you said about getting involved. NOW is so important!

[Erin]

I also believe 2010 will be amazing.

[Armen Shirvanian]

Hey Dani.

That's a cool quote in the middle there. The days are only as relevant as we make them. We can have days go by where we don't appreciate them much at all, and then we can also have days where we know what time is worth. Those days make the unproductive days look like a complete waste.

Your point about getting excited being important for doing well in 2010 resonates with me, as I do best when I am very excited, and am almost out of control with energy. It is a special thing.

Getting involved now is the quickest way to be fulfilled later.

To the presence of positive present in 2010~

[Dawn]

I would say that this year doesn't have to be a s great, or you don't have to learn as much or more...as long as you are learning.

I have high hopes for the new year myself. New life, new beginnings...I am sad, and yet I am excited as well. I appreciate you for giving me inspiration!

[Eric]

Life is most definitely what you make it to be. 2009 was a very tough year on me and I'm looking forward to taking 2010 by storm. I'm looking forward to a lot of change and making it what I like and feel good about. Life is honestly too short not to.

2009 went by just too fast and 2010 will be a GREAT year for things to happen. I can feel it.

[Derrick]

Present moment awareness,it's catching on!It need's to be realized by more,but in the mean time,I don't mind enjoying it with a select few.Great post!

Derrick

[J.D. Meier]

> There are only as many days in the year as you make use of.
That's a perfect reminder of choice and opportunity.

[Diggy - Upgradereality.com]

Hey Dani!
Have a wonderful, happy and healthy 2010!
Keep writing and doing what you do :) I enjoy reading your posts!! :_)

All the best
Diggy

[Penny]

So true about making things what you want them to be. I'm also so excited about 2010! I don't know if I've ever been so positive about a new year as I am now. Happy New Year and I am sure your 2010 will take you to fantastic new places!

[Zsófi]

Hi Dani!

I've been reading your blog for a few months now, but never left a comment. Now I thought it's time to post one :). I'm not going to make it too long or anything, I just want to thank you. I like your blog. It GMH (if you don't know what's that, just type it in Google (; ).
And 2010 is going to be AWESOME, just as 2009 had been. Happy New Year!

Zsófi

[positively present]

Hayden - Taking action is so important and I really believe 2010 should be the year for that! Happy new year!

Erin - It will be for sure! Happy new year!

Armen - I'm glad you liked the quote. Like you, I really do best when I'm excited and full of energy. I believe that finding something passionate about and working toward it. I have a feeling this year is a going to be a great one.

Dawn - Good point and a great way to take the pressure off. As long as we're still learning, 2010 is going to be a great year.

Eric - Yes it is! I have a feeling that 2010 is going to be a great year. Life is definitely short and life is what you make it. I know you can make it a great year!

Derrick - It really is catching on, but it's definitely hard for me at times. Writing Positively Present keeps me more present and I hope everyone has the opportunity to spend more time in the present moment in 2010!

J.D. - Isn't that a great quote!? Very fitting for a new year!

Diggy - Hi! Happy New Year to you! I hope you have a great year.

Penny - I'm so glad to hear you're excited about the new year too. It's going to be great and, like you, I've never been as positive about life as I am right now! :) Have a great NYE!

[positively present]

Zsófi - Thank you so much for commenting! It's so great to hear from you and I really, really appreciate your support as a reader. I just looked up GMH online and I LOVE it. Thanks for sharing that with me because it's a great site and it made my day. I hope you have a great New Year's and that 2010 is everything you dream it will be.

[melita]

fantastic post! happy new year. may your 2010 be filled with joy, sparkle, warmth & love. hugs!!

[Rocky]

Hey Dani ! finding your blog has definitely been a highlight of my year. Thanks for all the posts !

[Hulbert]

Hi Dani. Great post here. It's nice that you have a great plan for 2010. This article (and the way you've written it) has given me enthusiasm that next year will be a great year too. Like you say, your life is what you make it to be. I just wanted to say thanks for your articles this year, and I hope 2010 brings you much joy and success!

[positively present]

Melita - Thank you! Happy new year to you too! I love that you put sparkle in there. I love all things sparkly so I hope there is a lot of that in 2010. :)

Rocky - Oh, thanks so much! :) You made me happy when I read that comment. It means a lot to me that you read the blog and provide such great feedback. Thanks!

Hulbert - Thanks! I really do think 2010 is going to be a great year -- and the start of a great decade too! Life is what you make it and I intend to make it awesome! You're welcome for the posts; thank YOU for reading them. It means so much to me!

[Andrew]

Thank you for being. Here, now. I am enjoying a variety of what you have here.

[positively present]

Andrew - Thank YOU for commenting on Positively Present! :) I'm so glad you like the site and I really appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment.

[Jack]

Thanks, as always excellent advice.