We are getting down to the last few days of the year. Know what that means? Well, yes, there will be parties, gifts, over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go. In fact, that’s what most of us are focused on. Yet, just hours after all that tradition draws to a close, we usher in a brand new year.

If you want to be successful in 2013—and who wouldn’t, right?—you would be wise to put some things in place now to make certain you reach your goals. Winston Churchill said it best:

Fail to plan and you plan to fail. 

In fact, chances are there will be some readers of this blog who will say, “I’ll read this blog post later, when I have more time.” Great intentions but the problem is they will never get back to it. And, by not taking the time to plan their success will set them up for a disappointing year.

I don’t want you to be one of those individuals who gets caught with your pants down when a brand new year rolls around. So this month I’m going to be helping you plan. Here are some things you need to wrap your mind around to gear up for a year of unlimited success.

Be intentional. Determine right here and now that you are going to make the year count. Make the decision now to live each day on purpose. Don’t let life live you. You live it.

Be simple. You don’t need an elaborate plan with widgets, bells and whistles. All you need is a set of goals and a map to get you from where you are to where you want to be.

Be consistent. Living life with purpose is not a once-in-a-while endeavor. It’s a daily pursuit. You may not work toward your goals every day. You may intentionally take a day off because your mind is numb. That’s fine, but other than that, a little work toward your goal pushes you closer to the prize.

It’s entirely possible to get to the last day of 2013, look back and celebrate a genuinely successful year. Develop your plan, work your plan and you’ll be surprised how much you accomplish.

You owe it to yourself, your family and the world to have the best year you possibly can! Please… take the time!

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Reba J. Hoffman is a natural encourager and Member Care Coach at My Book Therapy. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Counseling and is the founder of Magellan Life Coaching (www.magellanlifecoaching.com). She is the author of Dare to Dream, a Writer’s Journal published by My Book Therapy. She also publishes a motivational and encouraging blog, FindingTrue North. Contact Reba at reba@magellanlifecoaching.com.