04.01  What are YOU going to do in 2010?  | "Things don't just happen - we make them happen." My brother's headmaster drummed this motto into his students. Think about it: all the things that you want to have happen in your life aren't just going to materialise miraculously, you've got to work to create them. So what are YOU going to do this year? Here are some ideas.

1. GOAL: Move to freelancing full-time.

HOW TO MAKE IT HAPPEN:  There are several steps you can take to make the transition to full-time freelancing smooth and less risky. First, do your homework - read books about freelancing and subscribe to freelancer blogs (check out the book links on the Freelancentral home page and our LINKS page for some great resources). Squirrel away some cash as a cushion. Make sure you are very clear as to what your service offering is. Budget for marketing. And slowly start building up your client base so that you already have a few regular clients before you take the plunge.

2. GOAL: Learn something new.

HOW TO MAKE IT HAPPEN:  First, decide what you'd like to learn. Perhaps you want to add a string to your professional bow with a new skill that complements the services you already offer - like learning the basics of web design if you're currently a print designer. Read books, find online courses, or even attend a course at your local adult education centre or media college. This will make you more marketable to clients as you're able to offer a value-added service. Alternatively, learn something new that's not related to your work at all - a language, sport, dance, craft... It'll make you a more interesting person and you might just make new friends at the same time. (If you're a full-time freelancer, pick something that will get you out of the house once a week!) Find something that interest you and then be brave and sign up - just do it!

3. GOAL: To see some of the world (and take a break).

HOW TO MAKE IT HAPPEN: First, do your research. Decide where you want to go and then start reading up about it. Buy a guidebook that includes costs of accommodation, transport and food. Work out how much it's going to cost you per day and then figure out realistically how long you can go away for. Then start saving! Don't forget you probably won't be earning when you are away so factor that in too and ensure you have a financial cushion. If you have clients who will need attention while you're out of town, perhaps another freelancer you trust can cover for you. Speak to them, set it up and then pack your bags! Travel really does broaden the mind and it'll also re-energise you. Make it a priority.

4. GOAL: Get more balance. 

HOW TO MAKE IT HAPPEN: Be more productive. There ARE enough hours in the day - the problem most of us have is that we don't use them very productively. Avoid multitasking and rather focus on one thing at a time (harder than it sounds when you have email alerts popping up...). Reduce your distractions - sign out of Facebook and Twitter and only check them once or twice a day. Disconnect from the internet when you've got a big task to do so you can focus on it. Get up 30 min earlier and go for a quick walk / run /  meditation session. Take an honest look at your day and you'll soon find pockets of wasted time that you can use more productively. (We are however big fans of down time, so make sure you include some of that too or you'll burn out!)

5. GOAL: Find new clients.

HOW TO MAKE IT HAPPEN: Firstly, work your current clients for referrals and recommendations. Ask them whether they can recommend you to someone else. Referrals are a great way to expand your client base. Secondly, allocate a budget for marketing yourself this year. Spend some time and money on getting your brand polished and then put it out there.  Set up a blog and spend 20 minutes three times a week posting interesting content onto it. If appropriate to your target market, set up a Twitter account too and maintain it. Partner up with freelancers who offer complementary skills to your own and offer a more holistic service together. Get creative about finding clients - they are out there!

Here's to a great year in 2010!

Jo Duxbury is the founder of Freelancentral and a freelance writer and marketing project manager.