Many ambitious people set out to accomplish some big things. One major reason some of these major things never get crossed off the list is because they are not broken down and scheduled in smaller steps. This is why people who achieve so much start writing their goals out now, or even earlier. By the time the new year comes around, they have a 2007 calendar with their yearly goals broken down into monthly, weekly and daily goals scheduled and visible to make them accountable.

Once you determine what you want to accomplish next year, write it down. Now, go further than most people do and put a DUE DATE next to it. Be reasonable and allow you AMPLE time.  Consider your busy schedule and obstacles that often interrupt your schedule. Being this flexible with yourself will keep you in forgiving mode. It can be self-sabotage to feel guilty about not accomplishing your goals. If you miss this due date, reschedule right away!

Now, examine everything that you need to make it happen. Next to each item, put another reasonable due date. Again, think about obstacles and be forgiving. Each item can be broken down into even smaller, more digestible steps. Count the weeks in between the new year, or now, and your due date. Count the days and the hours. OVERestimate the number of hours needed for each item. Then divide that by days and weeks.

When it comes to scheduling, you have to know yourself and your rhythm. Think about past goals that you had set, how you felt in retrospect and how long it took you to adopt a healthy habit. If you decide to dedicate a certain amount of time every day to that goal, leave yourself a day off, however. If one day you cannot take the time you need, you can just use that as your day off. If you have to miss another day, then you know the following week you will have to take the time every day to make up for the day you missed.  I can do really well for two weeks, but will often slip the next two weeks because I like to live sporadically. Rather than setting a steady weekly goal, I would double my goal for two weeks and give myself the next two weeks off and rotate as such.

Employ help when you need it. You need energy to reach your goals, so treat yourself right and do not over-burden yourself. You could ask a partner to hold you accountable for your goals. Be careful not to turn your relationship with this person into one of guilt and judgment, especially if you are doing it for each other. It can get tricky. Use an even tone and if a goal is missed, make sure it is rescheduled.

Here is a sample checklist of things you need to schedule if you want a better job in the new year. (If you want a new job BY the new year and you have not started this list, you are behind.)

Materials - Resume/Biography/CV

• Record success/results
• Find former evaluations
• Obtain job descriptions
• Compile list of proud moments
• Make a list of strengths, skills (SWOT)
• Identify appealing job postings and make a note of requirements
• Print new business cards

• Get updated contact information
• Call/e-mail former supervisors
• Follow up
• Gather or write template for letters of recommendation
• Distribution
• Identify niche job boards
• Search job postings daily
• Post resume on three job boards daily
• Apply to five opportunities daily with customized cover letter
• Mail three resume to contacts weekly
• Follow up by phone with the eight resumes sent within 48-60 hours

• Write an approach letter template to ask for leads from new contacts
• Join two new organizations
• Attend two events each week - give out 10 cards at each
• Within 48 hours, follow up with any potential job lead source (approach letter, e-mail or phone call)

Karen Huller is a member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches.  She received her Bachelors degree in Communication Studies and Theater from Ursinus College, where she minored in Creative Writing. She spent five years working in Executive and Information Technology placement firms providing research, sourcing, recruiting, resume formatting, salary and benefits negotiation consultations and interview coaching. Mrs. Huller started Charésumé to work one-on-one with those in transition, preparing materials such as résumés and cover letters and helping them to develop a transition strategy. She educates her clients on the recruiter's point-of-view as to how to be one of the top 10% of candidates who are selected to interview and how to interview to get hired. Visit Charesume.com for more information on how to outshine your competition.