Plans are nothing; planning is everything. – Dwight D. Eisenhower 

Kayaking in Parksville, B.C. 
This is the time of the year, the days are short (literally short of daylight) before a new year begins.

Sports channels are picking the best and worst of the year, Magazines are picking the most photogenic of the year and predicting whom to watch next year.

Newspapers are picking the newsmakers of the year and predicting for the new year.

The wheel turns, and turns and for me and you, we are probably not concerned about any of the above, or only fleetingly.

I have always found that my new years begin in October, I was born in October and thoughout my life I have started new challenges in October, quit jobs, and started careers in October.

But whenever it works for you, there likely should be a time when you reflect, and consciously pick a path to follow.  2012 is nearly over, while you can remember, what was the best part of the year? What did you not like in 2012? Was there something in 2012 you planned to do and missed? Can you start now to make sure you don’t miss out in 2013?

I am consciously planning more than I used to.  Months and months ahead last year I bought tickets for events and travel I intended to enjoy, conferences for example, and bought plane tickets for. I took a holiday to Vegas  last year and planned ahead for that. Soon I will be volunteering for a curling event, I have been signed up for this event for more than six months.

And now looking ahead I am taking a writing course in spring 2013, I want to not watch as much television in 2013  and this will be one of the ways I would like to use my time.

I hope you can find something to do for yourself in 2013, and plan ahead so that a year from now, you can count it as one of your memories that you are glad you didn’t miss.