House Cleaning for the New Year

It's that time of the year- the end. Looking back, how was your 2008? What are some accomplishments that you're proud of? Anything you would have done differently? Ask yourself- did you have the kind of year you were hoping for on January 1, 2008?

My 2008 was not great, despite the fact that I had an awesome New Years Eve on the top of an office building overlooking Times Square (above pic!!!). What followed would become a year of mucho doubt and BIG! LIFE! DECISIONS!, which for better or for worst led me back to my hometown of Cupertino, California. Under my parent's roof, no less! That thought never crossed my mind when I was partying in Times Square, that's for sure. But it goes to show that in life, there really is no plan.

To prep for the new year, let's do some house cleaning: purge your closets (get rid of anything you haven't worn in a year), balance your checkbook, and think of 5 very specific goals for 2009. When I mean specific, I mean that if your goal is to save up money to take off to Peru to climb Machu Picchu, decide how you will save for it. Have HR take out $100 per paycheck? Only go out for dinner once a week? Create a budget and be specific.

Have any emotional regrets in the past year? If the answer is yes, now is the time to do some mental house cleaning. Whether it's with an ex, someone you were dating, your boss, a friend that you had a falling out with, or your irritating parents- make nice, be the bigger person and call or email them. It will make you feel better (or maybe worse, but at least you tried), and you can ring in the new year on a totally clean mental slate.

We're not getting younger. Speak up now- no regrets. There's nothing to lose. 2008 is going to be a thing of the past in just one week!

On the one hand, our economy is in the shithole, but on the other, Obama will be president starting January 20!!!!! 2009 is going to be a year of big changes amidst all the growing pains- there's definitely something in the air. I know I'm not alone here, many of my friends are definitely antsy for some major change in our own lives. Let's take advantage and do something totally crazy. Why not? I think it's a year of taking chances and pushing limits.

For me, I'm all about breaking patterns this year. Todo es possible.