If you have ever visited a health club on January 2nd, you know the places are packed. All around the country, people are feverishly running on treadmills and elliptical machines; they’re pushing weights above their heads; and they’re doing sit-ups like it’s their job. “This will be my year,” they say, as they punish themselves in spinning classes. People like this make up 30% of a gym’s annual new memberships. And in three weeks, most of them won’t be back until the next year.

The crowd has dispersed and left behind are the same dedicated people that were there well before the New Year rolled around. You will also notice they are not running at the fever pitch of the people you saw three weeks ago. No, these folks look a little different. They’re deliberate, focused and pacing themselves.

Studies show that the vast majority of New Year’s resolutions are broken within the first three weeks of January. You would think by now that everyone knows losing weight and getting in shape is not done in a week. It takes a long-term, lifetime commitment to fitness. Then why do people pour into health clubs every January?

The reason is that they really believe that this is the year, but they never actually sat down and made a plan. What gets measured gets accomplished. Which of these two New Year’s resolutions do you think is likely to be accomplished? “Starting January 2nd I am going start going to the gym and lose weight.” Or “Starting January 2nd I am going to go to the gym three times per week, work out for at least one hour per session, get my heart rate into the target training zone for 30 minutes each session, lose 45 pounds, lower my blood pressure by 20 points and drop my cholesterol by 30 points by June 1st.” Of course, the more measurable goal is more likely to happen.

What are your plans for 2010? are you hoping for a better year, or are you planning for one? The odds are 2010 will be another tough year for the U.S. and world economy, but it does not have to a bad year for your economy.

Make a decision to make 2010 the best year ever for your firm; don’t just hope for it. This high level of expectation starts with you. If you want your entire staff to believe and focus on having your best year, it is your attitude as the principal of your business to make it known. You may have heard the saying, “A fish rots from the head down.” Well, the same is true for almost any business.

Once you have decided to make this your best year, create a plan. Be as specific as possible. Are you going to add new lines? How many? Increase sales? By what percentage or dollar amount? The more specific and detailed your goals and plans are the more likely you will accomplish them. Make your plans public, share them with everyone in your organization, and ask your entire team to sign on and agree to make it happen.

Don’t misunderstand me: I am not saying that if you use some feel good, positive thinking everything will be wonderful. Not at all. What I am saying is that you will accomplish very little with a negative attitude. no one ever accomplished anything without first believing it is possible.

This is going to be tough year. It seems the cards are being stacked against business, with tougher regulations, tax incentives expiring and new taxes being proposed. as far as the private sector goes, just look around you: bankruptcies, tighter business financing, increased foreign competition and so on.

But a funny thing happens during times like these. There are always business leaders and principals that prosper and, in fact, build fortunes. These are the men and women that recognize opportunity when it presents itself. These are people of vision, creativity, determination and that ever-important plan.

This is what it means to be an American, the freedom to be, to do and to accomplish anything you want regardless of what the rest of the world is doing. No one person can change the national or world economy, but you can change how you react to it. Your economy starts in your mind and spreads from you to everyone you lead and interact with in your business. Let them all know that 2010 will be your best year yet. Then plan for a Happy New Year.